GSM7200 Series Layer 2 Switches

COMPETITIVE SELL SHEET

NETGEAR vs. HP 3Com, and D-Link ,
The NETGEAR GSM7200 series of Layer 2 managed switches is the right choice for no frills applications within small- to medium-size companies. They provide the right combination of price and capabilities for a desktop edge switch within single workgroups or, with our combo copper/fiber ports, for link aggregation between multiple servers and switches. Not too much, not too little. Available in 12-, 24- and 48-port models, the GSM7200 series provides Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, multiple copper/ fiber combo ports, and Layer 2 managed capabilitiesall at an one of the industrys most affordable price points. Several characteristics differentiate these switches from their competitors, including:
Wire-speed, non-blocking design
GSM7212Twelve Combo Ports
The 12-port GSM7212 is unique among competing products. It is the only Layer switch to provide 12 combo ports. This exceptional flexibility lets users adapt the switch to any combination of copper and fiber interconnects. The GSM7212 can be used to link ten desktops via copper and two network resourcessuch as servers or printersvia fiber. In a different application, the combo ports enable the switch to be used to aggregate up to twelve fiber connections to link multiple floors. No other Layer 2 switch of any port density offers this flexibility.
Ensures reliable data transmission and no dropped packets. Full compliance with Layer 2 industry standards Ensures complete interoperability with other network devices.
Lower Total Cost of Ownership
Advantages vs. Competition

Hewlett-Packard

Company: Hewlett-Packard focuses primarily on solutions for the enterprise. As a result,
An affordable solution to future-proof your network investment. Combo Ports Up to twelve ports on the GSM7212 deliver the greatest flexibility to connect copper or fiber cabling.
HP Layer 2 products are heavy on enterprise-level capabilities and the associated premium enterprise pricinga costly overkill for small- to medium-size organizations. Enterprise focus may also result in lower level of support for smaller organizations.
ProductHP ProCurve 2848, 2824

Prompting Questions

Is affordability without compromising quality an important consideration for your network?
The HP offering is nearly twice as expensive per port as the comparable NETGEAR switch. Their stacking is actually clustering - they proxy from one device to connect to the others. This clustering does not provide a common switching fabric and still requires multiple configuration files for each switch.
It never makes business sense to pay for more than you need. It also doesnt make sense to risk your important network traffic with a poor-quality switch. NETGEAR provides the essential quality and features for the SMB market without an added premium.
Do you really need the capabilities of a Layer 3 Managed Switch?
Company: 3Com also focuses on the enterprise market. This lack of commitment to
Not every application needs the expense or IT management demands of an L3 switch. If youre just using your switch to move data, set up trunks, or prioritize traffic, a Layer 2 switch can meet your needs safely and affordably. When your switch needs are this simple, why pay a premium for features you dont need? NETGEAR Layer 2 Managed Switches give you the L2 features you needwithout the high price you dont.
Does it make sense to have the flexibility to connect copper and fiber without additional expense?
medium-size businesses results in products that are too expensive and feature-rich for the SMB market. There also seems to be a move to phase out older product lines for newer enterprise-class products that are not priced for the SMB market.
Products3Com SuperStack III 3848, 3824, 3812
3Com models provide virtually the same feature set as NETGEAR but are twice as expensive per port. Supports fewer than half the number of VLANs as NETGEAR. Does not support broadcast storm controlcant reduce or eliminate the impact of excess broadcasts. 12-port model only provides 4 SFP combo ports.

Network designs change over time. Given this fact, its good to have the flexibility to change topology without incurring extra cost. With NETGEAR, you have the option to change the configuration of copper or fiber going to your switch. You can change the number of copper ports to accommodate a new mix of desktops. Or, using fiber connections, you can link the workgroup to other network resources or aggregate links between other switches at distances that exceed the length copper wiring can provide.
Do you have the IT resources to support Layer 3 switches?

D-Link

Company: D-Link tends to pursue trends rather than markets. This lack of product and
market focus has yielded an unfavorable reputation for shoddy off-shore manufacturing and questionable reliability.
ProductDGS-3224TGR, DGS-3048
Layer 3 Managed switches require a higher level of network expertise than Layer 2. If you dont need the Layer 3 capabilities, why add the Layer 3 overhead demands to your network management requirements?
Nearly twice as expensive per port as comparable NETGEAR offering. Does not support broadcast storm controlcant reduce or eliminate the impact of excess broadcasts. Fans and power supplies are limited to a 3-year warranty. Only supports half as many VLANs as NETGEAR.
Competitive Comparison Chart
Ports 10/100/1000 GBIC/SFP Module slots Rackmountable 802.1x Bandwidth Jumbo Frames Broadcast Control DiffServ Management Multiple Spanning Tree Packet Forwarding Port Trunking Rapid Spanning Tree RMON SNMP SSL/SSH & HTTPS Traffic Prioritization (QoS) VLAN (# supported) Warranty NETGEAR GSM4 SFP Yes Yes 96 Gbps Yes Yes Yes L2 Yes 71.4 Mpps Yes Yes Yes v1, v2c, v3 Yes Yes 512 Limited Lifetime NETGEAR GSM4 SFP Yes Yes 48 Gbps Yes Yes Yes L2 Yes 35.7 Mpps Yes Yes Yes v1, v2c, v3 Yes Yes 512 Limited Lifetime HP ProCurve 4 SFP Yes Yes 96 Gbps Yes No No L2 No 71.4 Mpps Yes Yes Yes v1, v2c, v3 Yes Yes 256 Limited Lifetime HP ProCurve 4 SFP Yes Yes 48 Gbps No No Yes L2 No 34.7 Mpps Yes Yes Yes v1, v2c, v3 Yes Yes 256 Limited Lifetime D-Link DGS-4 SFP Yes Yes 96 Gbps Yes No Yes L2 No 35.6 Mpps Yes Yes Yes v1, v3 Yes Yes 255 Limited Lifetime 3Com 4 SFP Yes Yes 96 Gbps No No No L2 No 69.8 Mpps Yes Yes Yes v1, v2c Yes Yes 255 Limited Lifetime Ports 10/100/1000 GBIC/SFP Module slots Rackmountable 802.1x Bandwidth Jumbo Frames Broadcast Control DiffServ Management Multiple Spanning Tree Packet Buffer Memory Packet Forwarding Port Trunking Rapid Spanning Tree RMON SNMP SSL/SSH & HTTPS Traffic Prioritization (QoS) VLAN (# supported) Warranty NETGEAR GSM12 SFP Yes Yes 24 Gbps Yes Yes Yes L2 Yes 171 Kbytes 17.9 Mpps Yes Yes Yes v1, v2c, v3 Yes Yes 512 Limited Lifetime 3Com 4 SFP Yes No 24 Gbps No No No L2 No Not Clear 17.6 Mpps No Yes Yes v1 No Yes 255 Limited Lifetime
Ports 10/100/1000 GBIC/SFP Module slots Rackmountable 802.1x Bandwidth Jumbo Frames Broadcast Control DiffServ Management Multiple Spanning Tree Packet Forwarding Port Trunking Rapid Spanning Tree RMON SNMP SSL/SSH & HTTPS Traffic Prioritization (QoS) VLAN (# supported) Warranty

D-Link DGS-3224TG SFP Yes Yes 48 Gbps No No Yes L2 No 35.6 Mpps Yes Yes Yes v1, v3 Yes Yes 256 Limited Lifetime
3Com SuperStack SFP Yes Yes 48 Gbps No No Yes L2 No 35.6 Mpps No Yes Yes v1, v2c Yes Yes 254 Limited Lifetime

Overcoming Objections

Im a 3Com/HP/Cisco shop?
No problem. All NETGEAR switches are fully compliant with Layer 3 industry standards so theyll work seamlessly with your current networking infrastructure. You can protect your current investment and still get a more affordable solution. Enterprise focus isnt negativeif youre an enterprise. If youre in the SMB market, an enterprise focus means you pay a premium for features you dont need. If you have a need for Layer 3 switch traffic between VLANs with traffic management, you should consider one of NETGEARs Layer 3 switches. But if you dont need those capabilities, why pay for something you wont use? For many applications, Layer 2 capabilities are plenty and an upgrade to Layer 3 only adds expense and more network management overhead. There are different types of leadership. If there is a clear leadership position that you value, by all means, make that choice. But when it comes to Layer 2 switches, there are no technology leaders. As a result, your leadership choices come down to reliability and affordability. NETGEAR is just as reliable as some of the better known names. And NETGEAR is the clear pricing leader. The choice between Layer 2 and Layer 3 isnt really about flexibility. Its about your needs. If your application only requires Layer 2 performance, a Layer 3 switch wont provide any more flexibility. Youd end up paying a premium for capabilities you dont need.
Why is an enterprise focus such a negative? Why shouldnt I just use Layer 3 switches?
Why shouldnt I go with an industry leader?

Target Market

The ideal applications include small office businesses, single high-speed workgroups within a larger organization, link aggregation between floors of a multi-story facility, or high-speed server farm connectivity in the data center.
Wont Layer 3 switches give me greater flexibility?
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2006 NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, ProSafe, Auto Uplink, RangeMax, IntelliFi, Connecting with innovation and Everybodys connecting are trademarks or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved. BPL2GIGSSv2 July 2006