Hewlett-Packard Weaknesses

•The implementation of QoS on the HP Procurve platform does not allow administrators to discriminate in scheduling and prioritizing traffic and allocating bandwidth — particularly important in networks that support IP telephony.

•HP Procurve switches do not support security filtering, MAC aging, MAC address notification, and private VLAN edge features, limiting the level of protection against internal and external threats.

•Implementation of Spanning-Tree Protocol on Procurve switches lacks elements that provide faster failover and greater redundancy — features such as PVST+, BackboneFast, and CrossStack UplinkFast.

Intelligent Switching

for the Evolving Network

Competitive Cross-Reference Sales Tool

Cisco Catalyst® 2950 Series Switches

vs. HP Procurve 2500/4000M/4108gl Switches

Cisco delivers superior availability, security, and quality of service features than HP—for greater overall value.

Business networks face new demands every day—desktop computing power is rising, bandwidth-hungry applications are multiplying, the volume of sensitive data is expanding, and companies are deploying IP phones, wireless access points, and other devices on the LAN.

As a result, networks must meet new, higher standards for network availability, security, and control via advanced quality of service (QoS). The Cisco Catalyst 2950 Series offers all that and more, delivering intelligent services to the network edge.

Following are just a few of the reasons why the Cisco Catalyst 2950 Series is a better choice than comparable Hewlett-Packard products:

Cisco Catalyst 2950 Series Switches Offer More

Superior Availability

Ensures employees can access data at all times, locally and remotely

More features to increase network uptime and employee productivity, including:

•Spanning-Tree Protocol (STP) enhancements such as PortFast, UplinkFast, CrossStack UplinkFast, BackboneFast, and 802.1s for faster uplink failover recovery

•Per-VLAN Spanning-Tree Protocol Plus (PVST+) allows for load sharing across uplinks, doubling available bandwidth

•Voice VLAN capabilities enable all voice traffic to be carried on a VLAN designated for IP telephony, simplifying IP phone installation and network administration and troubleshooting

Enhanced Security

Protects data across the network from internal and external threats

More features to mitigate internal security concerns and protect partner/customer interactions, including:

•Filtering incoming traffic flows on port basis in hardware based on Layer 2/3/4 access control parameters (ACPs) to prevent unauthorized users from accessing restricted network areas (EI versions only)

•Port security prevents unauthorized users from accessing the network by limiting the number of MAC addresses allowed per port; an aging feature is used to remove MAC addresses after a specified time to allow another device to connect to the same port

•Private VLAN edge provides security and isolation between ports on a switch, ensuring that voice traffic travels directly from its entry point to the aggregation device through a virtual path and cannot be directed to a different port

•MAC address notification allows administrators to be notified of new users added and removed from the network (EI versions only)

Advanced Quality of Service

Prioritizes critical traffic and applications to get the most out of available bandwidth

More features to improve network efficiency and lower administration costs, including:

•Additional egress (outgoing) queues and Weighted Round Robin (WRR) allow network administrators to be more discriminating and specific when making scheduling/priority decisions on outgoing packets

•Rate limiting ensures that the appropriate amount of bandwidth is allocated to each user, allowing administrators to prioritize traffic for certain users

Easier Management

Simplifies and greatly streamlines network management tasks

More features to save time and resources with Cisco Cluster Management Suite (CMS) Software, which allows users to configure, troubleshoot, and perform software upgrades on multiple switches at once via a standard Web browser.

Other features include:

•Topology maps for a comprehensive layout of all clustered switches

•Link graphs and reports for real-time traffic updates

•Configuration templates and guide modes to minimize training

•And Cisco CMS is embedded in the switch—no installation is required

Investment Protection with Cisco Catalyst Switches

Cisco network platforms running Cisco IOS® Software form a unified system, providing a firm foundation for building Internet applications, while reducing training, management, and troubleshooting costs.

In addition:

•Cisco is the worldwide leader in switching, offering scalable, end-to-end networking solutions to meet the needs of enterprise customers both today and tomorrow.

•Cisco develops innovative technology such as TACACS+, enhanced Spanning-Tree Protocol, Cisco Fast EtherChannel® and Gigabit EtherChannel technology, and Cisco Discovery Protocol, which have been adopted by the industry and Cisco competitors.

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Cisco Systems 2950 manual Superior Availability, Enhanced Security, Advanced Quality of Service, Easier Management
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2950 specifications

Cisco Systems 2950 is a popular series of Ethernet switches that was initially released in the early 2000s, catering to the growing demand for efficient networking solutions in enterprise environments. Designed primarily for small to medium-sized businesses, the Cisco 2950 family emphasizes ease of use, versatility, and enhancement of network performance.

One of the main features of the Cisco 2950 series is its ability to provide Layer 2 switching capabilities. With support for multiple VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks), the 2950 allows network administrators to segment network traffic efficiently, improving security and performance without requiring additional hardware. Each switch in the 2950 series typically includes several 10/100Mbps Ethernet ports, enabling connections for various devices like computers, printers, and IP phones.

The 2950 series employs Cisco's IOS (Internetwork Operating System), which offers a robust command-line interface for configuration and management. This operating system provides a range of features such as Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize critical network traffic, Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) to prevent loop creation within the network, and Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) for combining multiple connections in a single logical link to enhance bandwidth and provide redundancy.

Another notable characteristic of the Cisco 2950 is its reliability and scalability. With options for up to 48 ports in a single switch, it can accommodate growing network demands without requiring significant infrastructure changes. Moreover, the switches in this series are designed to support various network topologies, allowing businesses to expand their networks seamlessly.

Security features play a significant role in the Cisco 2950’s design. The switches offer features like port security to restrict access based on MAC addresses, as well as 802.1x authentication to ensure that only authorized devices connect to the network. These security measures are crucial in protecting sensitive data and maintaining compliance with organizational policies.

In summary, Cisco Systems 2950 is a reliable and feature-rich Ethernet switch series suitable for small to medium-sized businesses seeking efficient networking solutions. With its extensive VLAN support, robust security features, and range of enterprise-level capabilities, the 2950 line continues to be a valuable asset in many networking environments despite the advancement of newer models. It embodies Cisco's commitment to providing scalable, versatile, and business-oriented networking products.
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