Need help choosing between these two switches!
-
Yes.
-
Thanks!!
Ordered :)
-
I am just doing some more research (even though i placed an order, i can still cancel it / return it).
What about: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA7RD3ZG0397&cm_re=cisco_managed--33-150-120--Product
Cisco Small Business 200 Series SLM2016T-NA (SG200-18) Smart Gigabit Switch
This thing is about $70 more here in Canada, but, it comes with 18 ports instead of 10 with SG300-10
Thanks
-
After some re-search SG200 is Layer 2 only, where SG300 is Layer 2 and 3, is that correct?
With pfSense acting as a router, all i need is Layer 2 actually, then?
So, in that case, this switch SG200-18 would be a good choice as well?
Thanks!
-
SG200 does not have a CLI.
-
After some re-search SG200 is Layer 2 only, where SG300 is Layer 2 and 3, is that correct?
That is definitely correct, the SG300 is a Layer3 and the SG200 is a Layer2 switch! And the Layer3 switch is
better performing in some cases, has more features and options and can surely also set to only acting as a
Layer2 switch if needed. But the Layer3 switch is capable to route between the VLANs itself and this mostly
with wire speed and its freeing the entire pfSense box from that load.With pfSense acting as a router, all i need is Layer 2 actually, then?
This could also really nice matching, but mostly it depends on the used CPU and how powerful
that CPU or SoC will be!So, in that case, this switch SG200-18 would be a good choice as well?
This is pending on the needs and use case mostly, but related to the price range from todays
switches, the Cisco SG300 series and the D-Link DGS1510 series will be perform better then
many other switches compared to the given options and features in their firmware.SG200 does not have a CLI.
Yes that is right.
If your pfSense box is really strong sorted or really powerful you could go with an SG200 for sure
but if you need VLANs to be routet in wire speed and will free a perhaps smaller CPU from that load
the SG300 as Layer3 switch could be a really nice device too. -
Thank you both for responding.
CLI is something that i really did not need, that is way 2 complicated for me :)
I was planing on using only Layer 2 with my pfSense, (again) as my knowledge is not that advanced to cover both Layer 2 and Layer 3.
Right now, i have Core2Duo handling my Gigabit (940mbit) (down) and 50mbit (up) connection just fine, with about 40-45% (CPU Usage while performing speedtests).
I am planing on purchasing C2758 (with 8-16GB Ram soon) for pfSense.
That is why i am shopping for best possible switch (for my needs) (VLAN (not more then 5 VLAN's) Link Aggregation, mostly) in the price range of $250-350CAD.
Cisco SG 300-20 is $400CAD (+13% tax)
Cisco SG 200-18 is $285CAD (+13% tax)so, i am thinking is it worth spending additional $115 for Layer 3, that i am not sure if i will be using :/
and i paid SG300-10 $220CAD (+13% tax) (which will be canceled in the morning, actually) as now, i have to decide between SG300-20 and SG-200-18.
Again, thank you all!
-
Reflect on your actual needs.
If you don't need the L3 routing on the switch now, chances are slim you would in the next couple of years, and your pfSense can do all the routing(L3) for the vlans(L2) anyway so you will be fine with a L2 model. (Things get complicated fast if you are not comfortable with L3 concepts)my 2 cents…
-
I use d-link switch here.
Dgs1510-28x for 10GBit connections between the nas units. Tested it with copy speed between the Nas units of 880MB/sec for 22 TB.For the connection to the ISP a d-link dsg1210-16 that is used for splitting the vlans from ISP (internet, voice over ip, television over ip) where voice over ip still goes to isp box as this is needed.
Both video over ip and internet go into pfsense unit.For my ip cameras i have d-link dsg1210-08p with poe support.
There are trunks between the switches and also to the access points which can do more vlans.
Only issue i found is on the 1510-28 where sometime the uplink to the dgs-1210-16 freezes.
This happend also when connected to the isp box and an a dgs-1100-8 is used before.
It happens while no active traffic and while heavy used, so not related to green ethernet options i assume. -
Thank you for responding guys.
Well, after more re-search, i ended up thinking that i might be interested in Layer 3 switch, actually.
I created a new thread in " Routing and Multi WAN " section, as i did not want to ruin this excellent thread which provides a lots of useful information.
Just cancelled order for SG300-10, so, in the end it will be either SG300-20 or SG200-18.
-
It's only a switch. And you're not looking into the $1k or $10k range.
Do not use the SG200 if you want to use VLANs since they are set up way easier from the CLI (which the SG200 doesn't have). CLI isn't complicated, just get used to it. The beauty comes with ease of use.
Your decision to go with a 20-port switch is great if you already plan on using all 10 ports of the smaller version. There's always one port missing.
-
Thanks for responding.
More and more i am getting interested in Layer 3 / CLI, after talking to you guys.
This is why 99% it will be SG300-20.However, i just need some clarifications in my thread: https://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=113243.0
So, i can make the final decision :)
Once again, thank you ALL for input/help, very much appreciated.
-
@NEK4TE:
… 99% ...
... need some clarifications ...
... make the final decision...You are overcomplicating things.
It's only a switch for a home network, not for a nuclear plant.If it doesn't fit in 2 years or so then sell it (on eBay or such) and get a different one.
For now just trust what you read here numerous times: buy an SG300-20.
Start reading the CLI guide. That's time spent way better! -
@NEK4TE:
Thanks for responding.
More and more i am getting interested in Layer 3 / CLI, after talking to you guys.
This is why 99% it will be SG300-20.However, i just need some clarifications in my thread: https://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=113243.0
So, i can make the final decision :)
Once again, thank you ALL for input/help, very much appreciated.
I'm curious:
Why for a home application go with a Layer3 switch? Really what that buys you is the ability to do some routing stuff, but if you are using pfSense for routing, I'm not quite sure what you are hoping to do with a layer3 switch.
I'd get a good managed layer2 switch, and use your pfSense box for anything that needs routing. Again, I can't recommend the HP ProCurve 1810G-24 highly enough. It's been bulletproof for me for years now.
-
@NEK4TE:
… 99% ...
... need some clarifications ...
... make the final decision...You are overcomplicating things.
It's only a switch for a home network, not for a nuclear plant.If it doesn't fit in 2 years or so then sell it (on eBay or such) and get a different one.
For now just trust what you read here numerous times: buy an SG300-20.
Start reading the CLI guide. That's time spent way better!You are correct, i am overcomplicating things, no doubt.
When coming from 30-40 bucks switch, i suppose that's how it is :)Hopefully, you, or other members of this forum won't mind me on this, i have no bad intentions, and i already feel bad for bothering you guys so much, but, honestly all i want to do is do the right thing, that is all.
I am very thankful to you and others for all information, and i really am. Thanks!
-
@NEK4TE:
Thanks for responding.
More and more i am getting interested in Layer 3 / CLI, after talking to you guys.
This is why 99% it will be SG300-20.However, i just need some clarifications in my thread: https://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=113243.0
So, i can make the final decision :)
Once again, thank you ALL for input/help, very much appreciated.
I'm curious:
Why for a home application go with a Layer3 switch? Really what that buys you is the ability to do some routing stuff, but if you are using pfSense for routing, I'm not quite sure what you are hoping to do with a layer3 switch.
I'd get a good managed layer2 switch, and use your pfSense box for anything that needs routing. Again, I can't recommend the HP ProCurve 1810G-24 highly enough. It's been bulletproof for me for years now.
Big thanks for responding!
I did check on google, and few stores here in Canada, almost nobody have them in stock.
- by looking at the price, that switch seems to be more expensive then any of ones that i mentioned, and others recommended.
I am just waiting for reply from http://bhphotovideo.com about customs for Canada, and i should be ordering today, hopefully.
-
I can't recommend the HP ProCurve 1810G-24 highly enough.
I used them in the past. Well, they still work well. Only thing desperately needed would be any kind of CLI which the 1810G-24s don't have.
L3 capabilities are not mandatory here, the availability of a CLI is. SG200s don't have a CLI, SG300s do.
-
If you go with the SG300, and intend to use layer 3 functionality, be sure to set the unit to L3 mode before doing any configuration. The factory default mode for the SG300 is L2, and all configuration is lost when switching between L2 and L3.
The mode setting is in Administration -> System Settings -> System Mode.
-
Big thanks for that information, appreciated.
Just ordered SG300-20.
