Options for adding 10gbs connection to server

[HCHTech]

i've got a 25-employee architecture firm with a Dell Poweredge server from mid-2014. they currently have an HPE 1810 48-port gigabit switch and are running out of ports. I'd like to add a second switch and get one that would support a 10bgbs connection for the server.

The current switch has a couple of SPF connections, but they are only gigabit. The server is currently connected to one of the regular ports with a Cat5 line. One complication, the building is a big open space, no permanent internal walls and built on a concrete slab. the server is in the center of the space and the wiring closet is in the corner - about 60 feet away. Cabling between the two is through underground conduit.

I could use the existing cabling if I get a 10gb NIC with a copper connection for the server and find a switch with a couple of 10gb copper connections in additional the regular 1gb ports. If necessary, we could get someone to run a new Cat6 line through the conduit.

To use fibre, I would need a 10gb fibre NIC for the server, a switch with 10gb SPF ports in addition to the regular 1gb copper ports, and we'd need to find someone to run a fibre line through their underground conduit.

...I think. This is a little out of my normal experience - what would you do? Any particular switches to recommend that would hopefully be $1K or less?

 

[fencepost]

Well, using Newegg for their search tools, they have a category (if you drill down) for 10/100/1000 + 10GB. Looking there at only new equipment under $1000, there are 2 Ciscos, 1 Aruba, and 1 Planet. All are basically $800+.

If you want the cheaper route, you might also look at https://mikrotik.com/products/group/switches and search for SFP+ - prices at 140, 200, 220. Also 400, but I doubt that you want something with 16 SFP+ cages and 1 Gigabit port. You'll also need a module from https://mikrotik.com/products/group/interfaces , probably either a $59 fiber connector (300m) or a $65 copper (200m) connector.

I have no great insight on real-world throughput, but https://mikrotik.com/product/CSS326-24G-2SplusRM at around $140 for a 24-port managed gigabit switch and $60-65 for an SFP+ module isn't going to break the bank, and likely you can reuse the SFP+ part if you decide on a different model of switch.

For the Mikrotik stuff, you can actually order/preorder it through balticnetworks.com, and their price on the preorders is actually lower than the list I included above. Looks like you could get out of there for under $175 for an initial trial.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

You could go with a Ubiquiti EdgeMax 48 port switch with SFP+ for the server connection. They are about $400

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

We've done a few. Recently just did a 10 gig infrastructure upgrade at an aircraft engine repair client of ours. Quad 10 gig NICs in their servers, and some EdgeSwitch 16XG...1 for the TOR switch, a few others for 10 gig home runs to wings of the buildings. A buncha ES48 with 10 gig uplinks to the TOR for the switch stack in the server room.

Get the 10 gig SFP+ DAC cables from FS.COM..the models for Brocades...they know which specific ones work for Ubiquiti switches, since the guts of Ubiq switches are Brocade components.

For smaller setups we use the Unifi switches and enjoy that 10 gig uplink too.