Cisco Metro Ethernet Switches

Vibrant’s Cisco Metro Ethernet Overview:

The Cisco Metro Ethernet switch line is a good option for cutting down on costs of power consumption with power efficiency of 100Gbps applications-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The presence of Multiprotocol Lable Switching (MPLS) and the ability of these switches to lead an expansion of the MPLS are directed to the deriving benefits from the MPLS based control plane throughout the network places. In order to derive optimum benefits and ensure lower levels of power consumption in the commercial units, it is important to look at the features of these switches.

Here is an overview of the essential features of these Cisco switches.

Software Base Images

Cisco Metro Ethernet Switches are enhanced when paired with the following Software Images:

METRO BASE Image: Equipped with optimum level security settings, the METRO BASE Image includes features such as advanced Quality of Service (Qos), superb multicast controlling, rate limiting for triple play services- voice, data processing and high speed video.

METRO ACCESS Image: METRO ACCESS Image software is provided for implementation of premium services for triple play functionalities, VPN services (Layer 2) etc. The features are inclusive of Flex-Linking, Layer 2 Protocol and 802.1Q Tunneling alongside the METRO BASE Image features.

(Note: Vibrant does not sell software, only hardware.)

METRO IP ACCESS Image: The METRO IP ACCESS Image software settings are compatible for the provision of VPN (Layer 3) Services including the set of METRO ACCESS Image software features. The Layer 3 features are inclusive of advanced IP Routing (RIPv1/v2, OSPF, EIGRP, BGPv4, IS-IS), Policy-based Routing (PBR) and Multi-VRF CE.

(Note: Vibrant only supplies the hardware, but software information was included for the purposes of a complete Cisco ME Switch review).

Security Enhancements and Specialties of Cisco Metro Ethernet Switches

Strong network security system for detection of unauthorized traffic presence on the network and enhancements for protection against any such presence on the server.
Security settings on the switch for uninterrupted switch based operations
Subscription based security for protection of subscribers from unauthorized users and fraudulent activities

Cisco Metro Ethernet switch comparison

Model No.: ME-3400G-12CS-A
Category and Port Density: 4 SFP uplinks and 10/100/1000 12 dual-purpose ports inclusive of SFP
Electricity Connectivity: 2 fixed redundant AC power supply.

Model No.: ME-3400G-12CS-D
Category and Port Density: 12 dual-purpose ports (10/100/1000 and SFP) and 4 SFP uplinks
Electricity Connectivity: 2 fixed redundant AC power supply

Model No.: ME-3400G-2CS-A
Category and Port Density: 2 dual-purpose ports (10/100/1000 and SFP) and 2 SFP uplinks
Electricity Connectivity: AC

Model No.: ME-3400-24TS-A
Category and Port Density: 24 Ethernet 10/100 ports and 2 SFP uplinks
Electricity Connectivity: AC

Model No.: ME-3400-24TS-D
Category and Port Density: 24 Ethernet 10/100 ports and 2 SFP uplinks
Electricity Connectivity: DC

Model No.: ME-3400-24FS-A
Category and Port Density: 24 Ethernet 100 SFP 2 SFP uplinks
Electricity Connectivity: AC

Cisco Metro Ethernet switch configuration

Configuration ID: A unique ID called Config ID is provided to each switch during the configuration process. ConfigID of the switch has to identical with the configuration ID provided to the switch definition of the Configuration Engine.

Device ID: In order to confirm the participation in the bus connectivity, every switch needs to have a unique Device ID having identical configuration with that of the source address of the switch so as to enhance target of the switch to the particular destination on the Bus.

For the configuration purpose, the switches need to have an IP address that is obtained by means of sending a DHCP request across the network. After the completion of the network configuration, other essential feature based services such as Incremental Configurations, Synchronized Configuration are added by means of the Cisco IOS agent. It is important to get the embedment of the Cisco IOS agent through Cisco’s IOS software in the switches provide room for automatic configuration and connectivity. The software is also compatible for customized configurations as per the convenience of the user.

Cisco Metro Ethernet switch 3400: This switch model is one of the few of their kinds that allow two types of optimization-
i. Triple-play Ethernet-to-the-Home (ETTH) services
ii. VPN Ethernet-to-the-Business (ETTB) services

With user friendly software configurations alongside compatible hardware settings, these switches are supported by strong security backup for complete security for the Ethernet access platform. Featured with triple play in addition to the VPN (Layer 2 and Layer 3) services these switches are best with enormous deployment compatibility. Requiring two fixed redundant AC electricity supply; these switches have four SFP uplinks and require 12 dual-purpose (10/100/1000 and Small Form-Factor Pluggable [SFP]) ports.

Cisco Metro Ethernet switch 3560: These switches are best from the viewpoint of power saving switch configurations with Layer 3 Ethernet compatibility. This allows room for maintaining a control on the carbon emissions as well in the large business organizations. The software set up comprising of advanced quality of service, access control lists, rate limiting, which allows combined network for superb video, data and voice performances. These software configurations provide compatibility for the IPv6 functionality and the routed access through utilization of the Open Shortest Path First (OSPF).

Cisco Metro Ethernet switch 3600: These switches are enhanced with the Cisco Carrier Ethernet ASIC for continuous line rate performances maintaining well organized traffic management, routing operations and for the deliverance of the intelligent packet switching. Extending MPLS into the access layer, these switches start the VPN services (Layer 2 and Layer 3) in the access layer. The Carrier Ethernet features are directed to easing out the network operations.

Cisco Metro Ethernet switch 3750: This switch model is supportive of multiple software images with enhancements for “pay-as-you-grow” deployment model. Operating on internal redundant electricity supply, there is the option for using it with both AC and DC power connectivity modes. The 3750 ME switches are among the few standalone switches that are best for commercial organizations. These switches have Cisco IOS software set up alongside the Resilient Ethernet Protocol that is extremely important for dealing with link failures and network loops.

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