which switch for iSCSI SAN (HP 2012i DC)

[marcin8]

I have one ESX 3.5 server (up and running) (DL 380 G5). I have just bought second one and HP 2012i iSCSI DC SAN (I will use NC360T and ESX software initiatior to connect ESX boxes to it). I want buy 2 switches to create LAN designated for SAN traffic - please advise what I shall pick up. I was suggested HP-ProCurve 2510G-24 but I am afraid it is not the best choice (according to some posts). My friend suggested Cisco 2960G-8TC-L but 8 ports is not enough, 24 ports it's bit expensive. Because it will be separate LAN for SAN traffic I don't mind using HP (we use only CISCO in our LAN) which has a better price per port.

Do you have any suggestions in terms of switch configuration? I'm thinking only about turning on flow control on all ports.

Your help is much appreciated. Thanks.

[Cooldude09]

You can look for Dell Power connect 5424 (24 port) switch which is ISCSI optimized. Also pricing wise it should fit into your budget easily.

Anil Gupta

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[marcin8]

Thanks for suggestion. Have you ever used it? Do you know any of HP which would manage to do the job?

[Cooldude09]

Yes i am using the same in my environment and had no issues at all. I am not sure about the same in HP. Definitely even they will be having the same, but at a higher cost compared to said earlier.

Anil Gupta

Don’t fear changes, its constant in life, reduce your ecological footprint……………………..Go Green

if you found my answer to be useful, feel free to mark it as Helpful or Correct.

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[marcin8]

How did you configure it? Anything particular or just flow control (I read that there is no point in turning Jumbo frames on).

[Cooldude09]

Nothing particular as such..just like a regular switch, the switch is smart enough to understand the iscsi traffic. Also 2-4 ports are assigned for connecting to the iSCSI SAN.

Anil Gupta

Don’t fear changes, its constant in life, reduce your ecological footprint……………………..Go Green

if you found my answer to be useful, feel free to mark it as Helpful or Correct.

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[Lightbulb]

You could look at the HP ProCurve 1800-24G

I use the 8 port version at home and have no complaints.

The price point is good for the features it has. I have heard nothing bad about them, but my experience in a home lab aint exactly the same as production

[ivp2k9]

Dell PWC 62xx or 52xx are "natural" choices for ISCSI -- being "feature-defficient" as compared to Cisco Catalyst 3750-24T-G or 48xx switches they are "up against" from a first-glance-at-specs (I do have some 6248 in production alongside the 3750 and 48 series kitties -- kind-a-not-so-good-for-wan-or-routing but killer thing for fast LAN, ISCSI or whatever other backplane ). Besides, thee Dell switches are unbelievably cheap.

However, HP fans should probably be ok with some "upper" series Procurves. One could probably also get away with something less fancy such as 3400cl-24G -- still having 2x 10GE ports and 20+ gigabit links.

[marcin8]

Because it will be separate LAN I am not bother with vendor. It may be Dell, HP or different one - I just want be sure the job will be done Can't consider 3750G - cannot afford spending over £3k per switch.

As I mention I'm going to use NC360T. Do you think it will be big difference in performance if I use NC380T? According to "A "Multivendor Post" to help our mtual iSCSI customers using VMware" I should keep it simple and "In general, use the Software Initiatior except where iSCSI boot is specifically required".