[non-Linux] Recommendations for managed switches

[bscott at ntisys.com]

Greetings list,

  I'm just curious if anyone here has any recent opinions on managed
Ethernet switches?

  In this case, we sill be starting at around 48 ports, but would like to be
able to scale down to 24 and up to 96, as needed.  10/100 for most ports,
with a few gigabit ports for servers and such.  Rackmount, of course.

  Plain old Ethernet (gigabit, of course) is an acceptable interconnect
between switch modules, although something a bit more sophisticated is
preferred (e.g., stackable with proprietary interconnect, or a modular
chassis).  That's not a requirement, though, so if it's significantly
cheaper to go with multiple independently managed units, we'll do that.

  Management, via both local serial port, and/or some kind of IP-based
interface (web, Telnet, SSH), is a requirement.  Unmanaged switches need not
apply.  Anything that requires proprietary software that only runs on
Microsoft platforms is right out.

  I've got opinions and experience of my own, but nothing recent on managed
gigabit.  And I've got lots of opinions from other forums.  But I know there
are a lot of knowledgeable people in this forum whose opinions I respect
(even Derek's :), so I figured I would ask here, too.

  My apologies for the non-Linux content.  The networks in question do have
Linux servers on them.  :-)

-- 
Ben Scott           | Net Technologies, Inc.  | 978-462-8795
Network Engineer    | Salisbury, MA, USA      | 866-NTI-LINUX (684-5468)
bscott at ntilinux.com | http://www.ntilinux.com | Fax: 978-499-7839