Cisco gear - when should one use it?

[corbywan]

At what level does the use of actual Cisco gear and IOS-run stuff become part of the equation for network planning and implementation?

I guess this is part pole, part practical. It's kind of a broad question as well because I suppose it depends on application and environment. As this is a Mac forum I could also ask when does the Mac OS come into play (VPN software comes to mind)?

Would anyone care to riff on scenarios when the use of Cisco stuff is the best option?

 

[ChrisA]

At what level does the use of actual Cisco gear and IOS-run stuff become part of the equation for network planning and implementation?

I assume you are using "Cisco" as a kind of generic term for "not low-end d-link or linsys routers" because there are many other brands.

The answer is easy, as soon as the low-end stuff does not work for you. Just a few examples are:

• you need more then two network interfaces
• You need to allocate bandwidth between users and/or protocols
• You need to use dynamic routing protocols
• You have multiple connections to the Internet

The list could be much larger for example multi-zone firewall rules. But you get the idea, once you move past the typical home user or very small office case.

 

[corbywan]

I assume you are using "Cisco" as a kind of generic term for "not low-end d-link or linsys routers" because there are many other brands.

No, I'm referring to Cisco specifically. And not just routers, but switches, wireless, fiber integration, firewalls, VPNs for remote user and/or WANs.

Does anyone have anything they can share about when they decided to "graduate" to Cisco stuff specifically?

 

[osiris315]

1. Reliability - Cisco kit is built to be powered on for years keeping commercial networks operational.
2. Easy to buy replacement parts or upgrades from the thousands of dealers and resellers out there.