The 3550-24, with the Enhanced Multilayer Image (EMI), is the replacement. It will do security and just about any other switch feature you could want on a small switch. Full blown router support is built in, and the MLS technology switches packets pretty fast compared to a software-based router (i.e. typical IOS-based external router). It doesn't exactly have blazing fast backplane speeds, but to support 200 users it should be adequate.
Check out this review for more info: http://www.nwfusion.com/reviews/2002/0325rev.html They gave it a very good rating, and I've had great experiences with the units myself. If you ever need to expand, you can then use the 2950 series which can use the 3550 as a route processor, then perform the routing locally on subsequent packets. (The "route-once, switch-many" philosophy). -----Original Message----- From: michaelian ennis [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Sunday, May 19, 2002 4:03 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: Best VLAN supporting Switch 3548 is end of life. Don't buy them. At 02:20 PM 5/17/2002 -0500, Vachon, Scott wrote: > >We are going to deploy VLAN on 10/100 LAN and about 200 users. > >Our consideration is security. > >We are now focusing on Cisco Catalyst 2900 XL. > >Is it good choice? Or? > >What is your recommended Brand and Model. > >I assume you will use the 2950 ?? Have you considered the 3548xl ? Both are >good, the 3548xls can be clustered to facilitate management and redundancy. >As far as Security you can use TACACS+ for switch authentication and you can >apply ACLs in your network to restrict services to the ports. > >~S~ > >Disclaimer: My own 2 percent...;)
