Netgate 7100 end of sale, thus no more marvell switch models...
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@wifi-will A VLAN Switch costs about 30 Bugs, no need for crying about it in regards to a firewall....
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I guess you've only worked with home/SOHO routers that have only LAN and WAN interfaces. Real routers can have multiple routing interfaces. In fact, when I bought the computer described in my sig, I chose 4 ports, because I had a use for them. I have WAN, LAN, test LAN and connection to my Cisco router. Now if you want to talk about ports, this Cisco has (lemme count 'em) 3 Ethernet ports, 2 serial ports, a T1 port and it also has room for a switch. The serial and T1 ports would be used to connect to some communications device, such as modem, ISDN terminal, CSU, etc, for connection to a remote site.
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The Marvell Switch ports are really there to "emulate" extra ports for routing. The fact they can present as a switch is just a bonus.
It's more sustainable to let your router do routing, then fan out to switches that the actual endpoints connect to.
Instead of replacing a $30 switch you wind up replacing routers which aren't cheap.
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@mer said in Netgate 7100 end of sale, thus no more marvell switch models...:
there to "emulate" extra ports for routing
Sure - but the problem with that is, the uplink from the switch vs full uplink of a port. With switch like they have - you have a limited uplink to where the routing happens.
The 7100
"8-port 1Gbps Marvell 88E6190 switch, uplinked at 5 Gbps (2x 2.5 Gbps) to Intel SoC for LAN " -
@bob-dig no one is crying my guy
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@jknott worked in large hotels, airports and more providing networks, but these routers were great for small properties with existing infrastructure and having a vlan capable switch built in gave us great flexibility.
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For those who think they are smart, putting a "$30 Switch" is not something I will be putting in enterprise networks lol. To add another switch will generally be another $2000 with the switches we use, so having the extra ports to give us some tagging capability was something I used a lot.
Not so sure about some of the comments here
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@wifi-will said in Netgate 7100 end of sale, thus no more marvell switch models...:
For those who think they are smart, putting a "$30 Switch" is not something I will be putting in enterprise networks
I'm sure you can find something cheaper, if you shop around.
Actually, since you seemed surprised at 4 ports on a router, I assumed you were only familiar with SOHO routers, which typically have only 1 WAN and 1 LAN port. I have also set up Adtran router/switches in large institutions, such as a seniors residence, but even though they were capable of more, I still had only the single WAN, default route config. On the other hand, that same router could have been configured with multiple routes, in addition to the default. Of course, when you get to the top level & BGP, there's not even a default route (or LAN for that matter). You can even use pfSense there if you want.
I earlier mentioned a Cisco router I have. While it supports a plug in switch, mine doesn't have that option, just multiple interfaces for routing to different destinations. It would also require a separate switch, just as I have with pfSense and a Cisco switch.
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@wifi-will said in Netgate 7100 end of sale, thus no more marvell switch models...:
to add another switch will generally be another $2000
Not sure where your buying your switches. But you can for sure get a fully managed cisco switch for less than 2k ;) I have sg300-28 port switch.. And then another sg300-10 in my av cabinet, etc Can also do L3, etc. its pretty freaking feature rich that is for sure - while it doesn't run like true IOS or NX-OS, its not a 8 port dumb switch you would pick up at the local best buy either.. I have some free ports on it - Just don't see a scenario where I would want a switch port on my router. My switch uplinks to my router, if I need more switch ports I would get the appropriate switches for my wants/needs..
Not sure what scenario you have in mind - but I have zero use for switch ports on my router. If it has a few extra ports on it - sure I could leverage them as uplinks from from a vlan or 2, etc. Or I could lagg them as uplinks for my vlans. Or if need a management port on the router to connect something, etc. doesn't need to be a "switch" port.
If I am short on switch ports, buy a bigger switch, or another switch - doesn't have to be Nexus 9k for gosh sake, nor did anyone mention some $30 switch you would pick up at local computer store or off amazon, etc.
Not saying switch ports in some scenarios can not be useful especially in soho or smb, etc. But if I had a choice between box that had 6 actual interfaces. Or 2 interfaces and 4 switch ports - I am picking the 6 interfaces every time. If I needed/wanted switch ports I would buy a switch ;)
If I had a choice between 6 interfaces and say 4 interfaces and 16 switch ports.. Again more than likely buying the 6 interfaces. If I wanted/needed more switch ports - that has to do with my switching infrastructure - not my router ;)
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For hotels with let's say, interesting, setups here in Australia, sometimes it was helpful to have the Netgate capable of a few extra switch ports in the comms room where a switch wasn't installed at the time of install. As I'm sure you mostly all should know, the client isn't always stoked to have to just "add another switch" at their cost.
Now, it's just something to consider that the router is a router and the handy feature is no longer available.
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I'm not certain how your hotels would be much different than that seniors residence I mentioned. It had a router and 4 24 port switches, with the switches spread among 3 towers and the office. It also had a lot of WiFi and ADSL to the rooms. Each room also had it's own router.
