48 port gigabit switches with fiber connector

[Guest]

Hello,

trying to find a 48 port switch with the ability to add a fiber link to at least 2 other 48 port switches.

I want to do this without making any big mistakes and would like to have gigabit speeds through out the network.

 

[bill001g]

If you search a site like newegg for 48 port 10/100/1000 switches almost all come with the ability to run fiber ports. The key word to look for is SFP.

The main difference between models is how many advanced feature they support. If you don't need things like vlan support or port mirroring the cheaper ones will work just as well for you

 

[Guest]

We use Cisco 3750X-T 24s and 48s , these have a bay for additional SFP modules of 4x1GB or 2x10GB, they're not cheap though.

But like bill says, no point in spending out for features you not going to use.

 

[Guest]

Is SFP the same as mini-GBIC ports?

 

[bill001g]

Yes it is, most manufacture call it SFP to avoid confusion with a couple of now dead optical options that came out before the SFP standard was finalized.

 

[Guest]

Best answer selected by dmorgan.

 

[Guest]

Thank you both for the info, I'll post back with my picks.

 

[Guest]

Biggest cost is the Cisco WS-C2960S-48TD-L Catalyst 2960 48 Port Switch, and the least is Netgear ProSafe 48-Port Gigabit Smart Switch (GS748TNA).

other than price and the cisco name I don't see the difference.

 

[bill001g]

Actually there is a huge difference in that particular cisco switch. It can take 10g uplink modules and all the ports are PoE. Problem is there are a number of 2960 that vary a lot based all the little letter cisco uses. The closest one to the netgear is 2960G-48TC-L Not that it matters the netgear is still cheaper.

The cisco switch still does a have number of software features that the netgear does not. One example is the ability to police traffic based on various classifications.

 

[Guest]

Thanks again Bill,

I'm going with the Cisco better to have the extras and not need them for awhile.