Netgear switch buying advice for a newbie
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My current Netgear setup:
Two 48 port GS748TS and two 24 port GS728TS switches in the main server room (these are stackable, smart switches)
Plus two 28 port GS728TS stacked switches in the factory - connected to the switches in the server room via fibre.In the server room, only three of the switches are stacked and one isn't. This is because, even though they're same model, the newest one is running different firmware and I couldn't join it to the stack unless I upgraded the firmware on the other three. I'll be honest and say I've been too scared to do this, since there seems to be all sorts of warnings on the interweb about bricking the switches if you screw the upgrade up.
I've now purchased 9 shiny, new UniFi wireless access points so I need a couple of PoE switches to power them (none of my existing switches offer PoE). I'll have six running from a new PoE switch in the server room, and three running from a new PoE switch in the factory.
My Netgear switches are all end of life. The replacement models are described as "second generation" and have the same model numbers but with a 'B' on the end.
First question, can I add a second generation switch into my stack of first generation switches? Any issues, other than having to upgrade the firmware on the old switches?
Second question, should I replace four of the 24-port switches with two new 48-port switches. This will cost more in the short term, but it will be neater as I'll be losing two switches? Or am I better to replace all my old switches with new ones?
Third question, should I look to upgrading to a switch with 10G connectivity? I don't need it now, but should I future-proof myself?
Fourth question, should I look anywhere other than Netgear?
Fifth question, is upgrading the firmware on my old switches really risky or should I relax and just do it?
Normally I wouldn't get involved in these kinds of IT issues and would get my MSP to sort, but with switches it usually means downtime, which means weekends or evenings, and my MSP doesn't like working evenings and I don't like working weekends. Plus, they charge double for out-of-hours work and I like to save money. So I'll normally do switch work myself, despite being pretty incompetent at it (as you may be able to tell!)
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@Carnival-Boy said:
I've now purchased 9 shiny, new UniFi wireless access points so I need a couple of PoE switches to power them (none of my existing switches offer PoE). I'll have six running from a new PoE switch in the server room, and three running from a new PoE switch in the factory.
What model Unifi APs are you getting? The basic models don't support traditional PoE.
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I know. I've got the Pro models.
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@Carnival-Boy said:
Second question, should I replace four of the 24-port switches with two new 48-port switches. This will cost more in the short term, but it will be neater as I'll be losing two switches? Or am I better to replace all my old switches with new ones?
Why are you looking to replace them at all?
Third question, should I look to upgrading to a switch with 10G connectivity? I don't need it now, but should I future-proof myself?
No - If you don't need it now, save your money - sure this could cost you in the end if you find that you need 10G in the next say 4 years, but in the case where you don't need it in less than 4 years, you've just wasted the money.
Fourth question, should I look anywhere other than Netgear?
You might look at the Ubiquiti switches now.
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@Dashrender said:
Why are you looking to replace them at all?
Since I need two new switches for PoE, I thought it prudent to consolidate my six existing switches. I'll need to replace at least two switches regardless, as I currently don't have any room in my racks to add any additional gear. And rather than ending up with lots of 24-port switches, I figured it would be neater (and use less power) to consolidate into fewer 48-port switches.
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Since you're using them stacked, how many connections are you running from the production floor to the datacenter?
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I have about 30 ports in use in the factory, which is connected to the main server room via a single fibre cable.
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@Carnival-Boy said:
I know. I've got the Pro models.
This was going to be the one thing I brought up, but you got it handled.
I personally do not like NetGear Switches after too many crappy experiences with managing the "Smart" switches.
They do generally work well if you do not need to get into the configuration and I have upgraded the firmware in many of them over the years without any problems.
I have been buying the HP 1910 line lately, but I will be giving the Ubiquiti line a shot next time I go for a model needing PoE.
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@JaredBusch said:
@Carnival-Boy said:
I know. I've got the Pro models.
This was going to be the one thing I brought up, but you got it handled.
I personally do not like NetGear Switches after too many crappy experiences with managing the "Smart" switches.
They do generally work well if you do not need to get into the configuration and I have upgraded the firmware in many of them over the years without any problems.
I have been buying the HP 1910 line lately, but I will be giving the Ubiquiti line a shot next time I go for a model needing PoE.
I agree completely. All the switching problems I have ever faced were with Netgear switches.
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@JaredBusch said:
@Carnival-Boy said:
I know. I've got the Pro models.
This was going to be the one thing I brought up, but you got it handled.
I personally do not like NetGear Switches after too many crappy experiences with managing the "Smart" switches.
They do generally work well if you do not need to get into the configuration and I have upgraded the firmware in many of them over the years without any problems.
I have been buying the HP 1910 line lately, but I will be giving the Ubiquiti line a shot next time I go for a model needing PoE.
That's odd, I've always had an amazing experience with Netgear switches. Their smart line is actually a really good value for the low-end/SMB market.
Although I agree, I am going to see about getting one of the Ubiquiti switches in the future.
