Tetchnikal Advice Needed

[cheshirenoir]

So our network is growing damned fast. STUFF is happening in there where I can't see it. The whole network is built up around basic switches connected by Gigabit in a linear topology.

I want to increase my control and management of this network. Now can I buy a "smart" switch to sit in the middle and connect all my Gigabit connections to it? What products would people suggest? I have some ideas but I don't want to have my preconceptions get in the way.

Clearly something simple to manage would be preferred, so there'd have to be a really good reason for someone to suggest something like "A Linux Box with magic doodad card X in it"

Anyone?

Comments

[fostware.livejournal.com]

I use a GSM7xx Netgear switch which will do it... I *might* even open up a port so you can play... ish... ports 1-5 are out of bounds ^_^

Per-port-SNMP, QoS and VLAN, web admin, mirroring, GIBC for fibre if you need.

Now the speccy bits are out of the way, how much are you willing to pay?

There's similar Linksys (mmm dinky cisco :P~) and D-Link models...

[fostware.livejournal.com]

sheesh, proof reading helps....

"Open a web port so you can play with the management" "Eth Ports 1-5 are OOB"
"Mini GBIC"

Serves me right for still being at work :P