Since Cisco presented the bleeding edge Nexus 7000 line in 2008, network engineers have continually wrangled over the Nexus versus the Catalyst. The individuals who direct Catalyst 6500-powered networks are content with (and acclimated to) the generally utilized, bring down cost Catalyst switches. Nexus advocates support the fresher line's speed and virtualization abilities.

While each side has justifiable reason motivation to advocate for their favored line, the question still remains: Should you utilize the Nexus or the Catalyst?

The appropriate response is basic yet dubious: It depends. Both the Nexus and Catalyst lines give a rich arrangement of abilities, so everything boils down to choosing which interfaces and components your business requires. Cisco may endeavor to push the market toward the more costly Nexus 7000 Series, yet your choices ought to be founded on what your system needs—not what Cisco needs.

System Construction

The Nexus 7000 and Catalyst 6500, while both very solid center exchanging stages, have various contrasts in physical development.

Forwarding Architecture

The most critical is the sending design. The Catalyst 6500 can bolster both brought together sending (where the chief settles on the sending choice) or disseminated sending (where the line card settles on the sending choice). The Nexus 7000, then again, just uses appropriated sending.

Switch Fabric

The Catalyst 6500 coordinates its switch fabric onto the director itself, while the Nexus 7000 has the switch texture situated in a different piece of the skeleton, free of different cards. The impact of this is to make the Nexus 7000 administrator an immaculate control plane module (i.e., it runs the OS and deals with the framework), with no sending ability on it by any stretch of the imagination. Then again, the Catalyst 6500 chief acts from multiple points of view like a line card and in addition the manager.

Interfaces

When taking a gander at the two stages, the most striking distinction is in the accessible interfaces for the stages.

100GbE

While both the Nexus 7000 and the Catalyst 6500 have 40GbE interfaces accessible, presently just the Nexus has a 100GbE line card accessible.

10GbE

Most arrangements still concentrate on gigabit and 10GbE. Both stages have a similar gigabit capacity, with 48-port 10/100/1000 and different SFP cards accessible. However, for 10GbE, the Nexus 7000 has various high-thickness 10GbE choices accessible that the Catalyst 6500 does not, for example, 24-, 32-, and 48-port SFP+ and additionally a 48 port 10GBase-T line cards. The Catalyst 6500 just has 4-, 8-, or 16-port 10GbE line cards accessible.

Line Cards

The Nexus 7000 has a reasonable number of similarity issues with line cards contrasted with the Catalyst 6500. Since the different Nexus 7000 line card families show distinctive capabilities, more care needs to go into a Nexus 7000 framework to stay away from contrary line cards in a similar framework. Line card inconsistency can cause a diminishment of abilities or even line cards being closed around the framework.

Features

Both the Nexus 7000 and Catalyst 6500 offer a typical arrangement of top of the line L3 exchanging components, for example, full directing convention bolster, MPLS/VRF abilities, and QoS capacities. In any case, every stage has novel capacities that regularly impact which stage to utilize. Here are a few normal stage particular elements:

VSS (Virtual Switching System)

VSS mode, a Catalyst 6500 element, permits a couple of Catalyst 6500s to be consolidated into one sensible switch with a bound together control plane. This takes into consideration multi-body interface total and thusly high accessibility, without Spanning Tree concerns. Contrasted with the vPC highlight of the Nexus, the brought together control plane part of VSS mode takes into account the full framework capacities to be utilized on a multi-undercarriage EtherChannel, so L3 EtherChannels, MPLS mindfulness, full QoS abilities, and different elements are usable crosswise over both of the frameworks.

vPC (Virtual Port-Channel)

vPC is a standout amongst the most regularly utilized Nexus components, and like VSS mode, it is utilized to give multi-body interface conglomeration. In any case, vPC mode does work another way, and in that capacity, it has an alternate arrangement of employments. The key contrast is that vPC does not depend on a bound together control plane, so both switches still work autonomously. Along these lines, layer 3 (L3) multi-undercarriage EtherChannels are not upheld, and for L3 high accessibility, HSRP, or another switch repetition convention will even now should be utilized.

Service Modules

The Catalyst 6500 has the capacity to acknowledge various administration module line cards that can altogether augment the abilities of the framework. A few cases of administration modules are the ASA-SM card, which gives high throughput firewall capacities, and the NAM cards, which give an immediate perspective of activity going through the switch for detailing and investigation.

Virtual Device Contexts (VDC)

This Nexus 7000 element enables the client to parcel the switch into various free consistent changes (up to four for a SUP1-or SUP2-based framework, and up to eight for a SUP2E-based framework). The VDC highlight really actualizes a different control plane for every specific circumstance, guaranteeing that every setting is kept autonomous at a low level. This considers covering IP ranges, as well as covering VLAN ranges. Different associations utilize VDCs for gadget union while keeping up departmental partition (i.e., the capacity group just approaches the capacity VDC, the security group just approaches the DMZ VDC, et cetera). Along these lines, there is no conceivable approach to have VDCs speak with each other, beside physically associating a port in one VDC to a port in another VDC.

WAN and Services Interfaces

Using the 7600-SIP-200 or 7600-SIP-400, the Catalyst 6500 can bolster an extensive variety of WAN interfaces, from T1 to OC48, permitting significantly more noteworthy adaptability in how the switch can be utilized. For applications that request fine-grained QoS or extra Ethernet benefits, a portion of the 7600 Ethernet Services cards are likewise upheld.

Fabric Extenders

The Nexus 7000 backings the utilization of the Nexus 2200 Series texture extenders to also grow the framework and give a vast scale virtual suspension in the server farm. Up to 32 of the texture extenders can be bolstered by the Nexus, which can significantly disentangle administration of a server farm organize.

Software and Licensing

The Catalyst 6500 is an IOS-based stage, giving a similar summon set and UI as some other Catalyst arrangement switch. Since the Catalyst 6500 has been in steady utilization for over 10 years, the product for the stage is a demonstrated part of the switch. All Catalyst 6500 switches depend on Cisco's customary appropriate to-utilize authorizing strategy.

The Nexus 7000, be that as it may, runs NX-OS, a genuinely new cross breed working framework initially gotten from the MDS 9000 line of Fiber Channel/SAN switches, and in that capacity, has just been being used temporarily in an Ethernet situation and will probably be influenced by programming bugs. NX-OS licenses highlight on an individually premise, each initiated by means of a body and highlight particular permit key. This permit key model, similar to some other type of DRM, is a potential purpose of disappointment that can make the switch quit sending.

VSS is system framework virtualization innovation that pools various Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Switches into one virtual switch, expanding operational effectiveness, boosting constant interchanges, and scaling framework transmission capacity ability to 1.4 Tbps. Switches would work as a solitary legitimate virtual switch called a virtual exchanging framework 1440 (VSS1440). VSS framed by two Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Switches with the Virtual Switching Supervisor 720-10GE.

In a VSS, the information plane and switch texture with limit of 720 Gbps of administrator motor in every suspension are dynamic in the meantime on both case, joining for a dynamic 1400-Gbps exchanging limit per VSS. Just a single of the virtual switch individuals has the dynamic control plane. Both suspension are kept in a state of harmony with the between undercarriage Stateful Switchover (SSO) instrument alongside Nonstop Forwarding (NSF) to give constant correspondence even in case of disappointment of one of the part chief motors or skeleton.

The Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Virtual Switching System (VSS) 1440 takes into consideration the converging of two physical Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Switches together into a solitary, consistently oversaw element. The accompanying figure graphically speaks to this idea where you can oversee two Cisco Catalyst 6509 body as a solitary, 18-opening undercarriage in the wake of empowering Cisco Virtual Switching System.

The Cisco Catalyst 6500 Virtual Switching System (VSS) 1440 takes the flagship Catalyst 6500 platform to the next level with network system virtualization.

The CISCO2911/K9 router is designed for enterprises that want a secure, wireless way to access the Internet at any time. This particular model is refurbished and made to bring virtualization and collaboration to a branch while helping reduce operational expenses. The Cisco 2900 serious router is intended to minimize any initial capital expenditures. Cisco has more than 25 years of experience in the high-tech router industry, and the 2900 series of integrated models is engineered with the brand’s commitment to quality and innovation. This router is perfect for small and medium-sized businesses. 

The CISCO2911/K9 is engineered for high performance, and the product delivers secure connections that are ideal for multi service enterprises. With a broad range of integrated services, you can rely on the Cisco 2900 series routers to provide nonstop connectivity in the busiest office environment. Router failures are a common source of problems for many firms, and the Cisco network is designed to reduce hardware redundancy and improve failover capabilities.

In addition to secure service, you can rely on the Cisco network for flexible services that are designed for the future. The integrated network security of the Cisco 2900 series router has features that eliminate the threat of viruses and malware and ensures that data, voice and video communications are secure at all times.

The CISCO2911/K9 also brings high-speed wireless Internet access to an enterprise to ensure employees are as productive as possible. There is no longer any need to be restricted by a desktop computer’s connection. With the features that are found in the Cisco 2900 router, an entire building or office suite has access to the Internet constantly. This particular router is refurbished, but it has been remanufactured in accordance with the Cisco brand’s commitment to quality products that deliver high-tech solutions.

The Cisco1921/K9 modular router is a newer router that maximizes quality and flexibility at an affordable price. Using cutting- edge technology, the Cisco 1900 series emphasizes the ability to keep your network stable even as you modify it based on network needs.

The Cisco1921/K9 comes preloaded with licensed Cisco IOS Universal Software, so you don’t have to download a new image to use advanced features. The router houses two integrated EHWIC slots to support a range of configurations and high data transfer speeds. In fact, this router’s multicore processors make it highly suited for high-speed usage. You can use it with services up to 15 Mbps, concurrently.

Its modular interface allows for higher bandwidth and a wide variety of connection options while keeping your network stable and secure. It utilizes multiple module slots and a range of LAN and WAN choices, each of which are 10/100//1000 Gigabit Ethernet routed ports. This means that you can continue to use the router even as you upgrade your networking system.

While the router is fully equipped to deal with the newest networking applications, it also supports a wide range of modules from the original ISRs. The Cisco 1921 actually integrates modern Cisco IOS Software features with this ISRs for a rich, modern experience. Its advanced mini-Type B USB console port allows connectivity without serial ports when needed. This Cisco router also includes one high-speed USB 2.0 port.

The Cisco 1900 series is all about combining the features you need in a cost-saving package. To ensure this, the Cisco 1921/K9 also includes new technology to allow you to both monitor and control its energy usage to meet your specific needs and budget as well as Gigabit Ethernet switching and Power over Ethernet capability.

For a features-rich router that allows you to save money and maintain network resiliency and adaptability, the Cisco 1921/K9 is one of the best options on the market.

The Cisco ASA5520-BUN-K9 firewall provides connectivity options of 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 1 Fast Ethernet Port. In addition, it also allows 750 IPsec VPN peers, Active/Active and Active/Standby high availability modes and provides a 3DES/AES license. Now, as a solution expert in network security, we recommend you utilize AES over 3DES in your network. AES is more efficient in security and slightly harder to crack when it comes to unwanted attacks.

Next, IPsec allows protection for Virtual Private Network IP traffic through methods of encryption. This should be a common feature sought after in any hardware firewall if plan of tunneling traffic from your VPN across a non-secure public extranet or the Internet.

Another notability feature set of this Cisco ASA5520-BUN-K9 firewall includes the high availability modes available to you for configuration. The main functionality of Active/Active mode allows all system requests to be load-balanced between the devices processing capacity. In the event of a failure, the secondary node takes over to ensure functionality is not lost. In Active/Standby, the standby functionality is not utilized until the Active node has failed. Meaning, no processing power is being utilized from the Standby node.

Intelligent Technology Trade hopes these pieces of information help clear up any technical points surrounding the capability of this product. Remember, we want you to select the most appropriate hardware firewall to secure your network. If you have any questions in the price or technical requirements, feel free to contact us.

Becoming PCI compliant is not exactly the easiest part with integration of network security and your operation. Specifically, the retail industry actively using kiosk and hand-held scanners for wireless data transactions can be susceptible to unwanted attacks of data being stolen for malicious purposes. In this kind of environment, you would require wireless access points strategically placed to cover the work area for all your employees. Not to mention, a wireless LAN controller can make system wide changes to all of your access points as the master control unit.

Now, this is merely the beginning of the process. You also need to ensure you are using a reputable product line to ensure network security can be properly setup with encryption in mind and easily managed. The best solution that we see fit is using a Cisco 2100 series wireless LAN controller in conjunction with any Cisco Aironet 1100/1200 light-weight series access points.

The Cisco AIR-WLC2106-K9 LAN controller is the entry level model of the Cisco 2100 line. Meaning, it only supports up to 6 access points while its big brothers can go up as high as 25. Intelligent Technology Trade wants you to make the best decision when it comes to securing your network. If you have any concerns before buying a piece of Cisco equipment, please feel free to contact us for any technical recommendations.

The CP-7937G Deployment Kit is the smartest choice to get you up and running right away. You get everything you need to add this outstanding conference phone to your PoE network.

The Cisco Unified 7937G IP Conference Station combines state-of-the-art wideband speakerphone conferencing technologies with award-winning Cisco voice communication technologies. The net result is a conference room phone that offers superior wideband voice and microphone quality, with simplified wiring and administrative cost benefits. A full-featured, IP-based, hands-free conference station, the new Cisco CP-7937G IP Conference Station is designed for use on desktops, in conference rooms, and in executive suites.