Cisco 2960 vs. HP 2920- Which brand offers better switching solutions?
If you are having a problem choosing between Cisco’s Catalyst collection and HP’s Aruba series, here is our elaborate review. Take a look at our comprehensive review and comparison of the Cisco 2960 against the HP 2920
Cisco and HP are giants within the telecommunications industry, and offer some of the Industry’s leading networking devices, including Switching technology. Each of these series is designed for maximum performance when applied on to a network.
Read on if you are interested in learning more about the Cisco 2960 and HP 2920, and differentiating the two, read on.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the Cisco 2960 and the HP 2920?
Cisco 2960 |
HP 2920 |
|
10GBaseT |
No |
Yes |
Stacking |
Up to 8 switches per stack with 40 Gbps per link and 80 Gbps per module |
Up to 4 switches per stack with 40 Gbps per link and 80 Gbps per module |
1GbE/10GbE uplinks |
Fixed, 2×10 GbE SFP+ or 4x SFP |
Modular, up to 4x 10 GbE |
Warranty |
Enhanced Lifetime warranty |
Limited Lifetime warranty |
SDN |
No |
Openflow |
Cisco 2960 vs HP 2920- How they differ
Performance
Both switches offer an impressive output, with a number of features designed to simplify operations and ensure optimal security levels. The Cisco 2960 switch offers a better forwarding rate and bandwidth performance than the HP 2920, which implies better data transfer for this option. That said the Cisco 2960 offers better power management than the HP 2920. Moreover, Cisco stacking features accommodate more members and allow for large more capable stacks.
Network Management
You can manage the Cisco 2960 switch through a USB based connection, SNMP protocols and over-air Bluetooth. The dynamic management options are also applicable for the HP 2920, but these are limited compared to the extensive Cisco 2960 control platforms. Unlike the detailed 2960, the HP 2920 supports zero touch provisioning, out of band Ethernet management and SNMP. Cisco 2960 is easier to access as a result of the versatile access platforms on offer.
Power supply
The Cisco 2960 and HP 2920 offer optimized power consumption to minimize operation costs. However, these switches offer different power supply set ups. The Cisco 2960 features a fixed power supply whereas the 2920 offers a removable option. The HP 2920 would be easier to fix in the event of a power supply failure, since this can be detached and replaced.
Cisco 2960 vs HP 2920- A comparison review
Cisco 2960
This collection is no doubt one of the more popular Cisco solutions for entry level enterprise and branch office networks. Packed with a wide collection of features, the Cisco 2960 is a great place to start for anyone looking for a series of Switches with various intelligence services, enhanced security; among other great features.
Features
Cisco describes this collection as a series of intelligent Ethernet switches. Specifically, these are Fixed configuration stand alone switches designed with a wide array of integrated features. These span from enhanced security features to various resilience and redundancy contingencies set up within the design.
Intelligence at the network edge is important for users looking to increase computational power, for bandwidth intensive needs and highly sensitive data. Users with any of these needs can rely on the various intelligence services available to users with the 2960 collection. With these gadgets, users can experience increased availability within the network among other benefits. For instance, the Advanced QoS functionality includes intelligence services like Auto-QoS which makes configuration quite simple. These services are the reason for the improvement in network control and overall better bandwidth optimization on the 2960 models.
Various benefits accompany the use of the Cisco 2960 collection including: enhanced security within the network. Improved availability and scalability within the network can be attributed to various tools which when used in combination help drastically improve network uptime. Fault back up is provided for by the superior redundancy on these systems.
Additionally, Cisco 2960 Switches are quite easy to use, deploy and manage. This is all thanks to various tools and features dedicated to make configuration or management convenient. Software additions like CIscoWorks and CiscoExpell have a hand in this ease of operation. The models on this collection are available in two different IOS feature sets: LAN Base and LAN Lite.
WS-C2960X-48FPD
- Product Type- Ethernet Switch
- Total Number of Network Ports- 48
The Cisco WS-C2960X-48FPD offers 48 network ports which support POE and UPOE. It features a 216 Gbps bandwidth performance with a 130.9 forwarding rate. it is designed for increased ease of operation and can be used even with minimal experience. Available configuration templates such as Text View alongside the command line help configure networks quickly for new users.
This switch also features various perks alongside preexisting templates to make it easier to use. It features high performance Qos alongside multiple protocols designed for increased ease of use. The model is very well secured against threats, with Cisco’s standout threat defense combining with a number of network security tools including a comprehensive 802.1X, TrustSec technology, multidomain authentication and device sensors.
HP 2920
The HP 2920 is an extensively connective series of devices. This Switch series is loaded with a wide variety of enterprise-class features and capabilities for building high performance networks. With a Hp 2920 device, users can set up comprehensive network operations, with scalability, roust security and good management tools on a budget.
Features
Ideally, these Switches operate on open flow software defined networking which the key technology addition on this series responsible for packet forwarding and routing path decisions. Reasonable QoS capabilities are included onto these models with features including Traffic prioritization, L4 prioritization, Class of service, rate limiting, and much more.
Some of the product highlights of this series include high performance GE connectivity with an optional 10GbE ports. The collection features stacking capabilities with a max 4 switches on stack and L2, L3 stating and RIP routing with Power over Ethernet and POE+ support.
In terms of deployment, these devices can be utilized on the network edge, for branch office application and even on converged networks. The latter is possible thanks to the HTTP redirection function which is responsible for unifying Wired and Wireless connections.
As mentioned, the collection is designed for stacking with measure like the stacking modules incorporated to allow stacking. This feature is available on some features and accommodates stacking for up to 4 units which then can be operated as a single device.
There are multiple design elements incorporated on to HP 2920 devices important for energy efficiency and overall great performance. Some of these features include power savings and efficiency designs: with priority to low power consumption adaptations.
HP 2920-24G-POE+ Switch
- Model Number: J9727A
- Country Of Origin: China
Also known as the J9727A , this model is a 17.42(w) x 13.23(d) x 1.73(h) inch device, and is one of 5 models on the Hp 2920 collection. This model is enabled with various features discussed above that allow easy set up and management.
Various ports featured on this model include the 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports, compliant with various IEEE 802.3 protocols for PoE+ support. There a total 20 of these ports, enabled with port by port autosensing capabilities. Included 4 RJ-45 dual personality ports allow for uninterrupted and simultaneous copper and fiber module connection. The device features an optional 10GbE ports and two stacking module ports for your stacking needs. Switching performance wise, it delivers 128Gb/s switching capacity with a 95.2 Mpps forwarding rate.
Now lets compare the HP 2920-24G to the WS-C2960X-48FPD
WS-C2960X-48FPD |
HP 2920-24G |
|
Bandwidth performance |
216 Gbps bandwidth performance with a 130.9 forwarding rate |
128Gb/s switching capacity with a 95.2 Mpps forwarding rate. |
Number of ports |
48 |
24 |
Integrated security |
√ |
√ |
Optimized power consumption and energy efficiency features |
√ |
√ |
Conclusion
Both switches will help deliver an optimized digital workspace, with various tools to streamline and simplify operations. The hp 2920 switch is more powerful than the Cisco 2960, featuring a higher forwarding capacity and throughput. Even though it can only take four switches per stack, it offers better all round performance than the Cisco 2960, making it our top pick.
