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What switch works best with IP-Audio?

We get asked a lot about which switches work best with Axia IP-Audio Networks. The answer is "that depends," primarily on the size of the system you're planning. We've taken a lot of the work out of network planning by putting the world's first zero-configuration, purpose-built-for-Broadcasting Ethernet switches inside our PowerStation and iQ Core console engines.

But if you want to build a conventional Ethernet network for your Axia studios, we can recommend a variety of Cisco and Hewlett-Packard switches to suit the needs of different-sized installations. Why Cisco and HP? We have tested other switches and quite frankly, theirs are the best we've tested in all ways. After all, this is your program audio we're talking about, and these companies' reputations for uptime in critical applications is unmatched; Cisco and HP switches are used by hospitals, banks, stock exchanges, airlines… all 24/7 applications that need bulletproof reliability. These companies also offer a wide range of switches at all price points to meet individual users' needs. (For further reading, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalyst_switch and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ProCurve .)  

Switches Commonly Used in Axia Systems

The switches described below are a representative sample from our complete list of qualified switches below, and provide a good balance of features and cost-effectiveness. An Axia Applications Engineer will be happy to assist you in determining the correct switch for your application – please contact us for assistance.

For single-studio applications:

Cisco Catalyst 2960G-8TC Compact Switch is perfect for small applications, like single-studio facilities, transmitter-building networks or home production setups. The 2960-8TC is a cost-effective, fan-free, small-footprint switch with seven 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports and one dual-purpose Gigabit port. Measures just 4.4 x 27 x 16.3 cm, but can be rack-mounted with an accessory kit. Because all eight ports are 1000Base-T capable, it can also be used as a small edge switch in larger facilities.

For small and medium-sized studio networks:

Cisco Catalyst 2960G-24TC is a great choice if your building plans call for 1 - 2 studios, or if you plan on expanding your studio network in the future. It has 24 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports and two Gigabit ports. Typically, you'd use one per studio, connecting to other rooms with the second Gigabit switch. If your building plans call for just two studios, one 2960-24TC can serve both.

For medium-to-large studio networks:

Cisco Catalyst 3560G-48TS-E switches are enterprise class, Advanced QoS switches with 2 Gigabit + SFP ports. Perfect for deployment of network-wide intelligent services such as advanced QoS, multicast management, and high-performance IP routing. Cisco Cluster Management Suite (CMS) Software allows users to simultaneously configure multiple Catalyst switches using a standard Web browser. Configurable with up to 512 IGMP groups when used as a core (multicast) router; 1,024 groups when used as an edge switch. Available in 48-port configurations suitable for installations of up to 10 studios.  

The Cisco Catalyst 4948E may also be used in this role. Similar to the 3560G shown above, the 4948E features up to 8,000 IGMP groups, making it an excellent core switch choice.

For "OMG-size" studio networks:

Building the next radio Taj Majal? Switches such as those from the the Cisco Catalyst 4500 family and Hewlett-Packard ProCurve 8212zl family have the modularity and scalability that can help prepare your build for today's needs and tomorrow's. We've helped select switches for very large studio complexes built by MPR, Univision, Radio Free Asia and others. Give us a call or drop us a line... we're happy to help discuss your needs.

"Are those my only choices?"

The switches listed above will be perfect for 99% of all Axia users, but not everyone's needs are the same. Check out our complete list of qualified switches below, or Contact an Axia Applications Engineer if you have questions about which switch is right for you.

Complete list of Axia-approved Cisco switches

Here's a full, long-as-your-arm list of switches we've approved for use in Axia systems (so far). There's a lot of choices, and they can be bewildering! Please contact us and we'll be glad to help you select the one that's right for you.

For Smaller (single and dual-studio) IP-Audio Networks:

Cisco Catalyst 2960 Series Switches provide 10/100 Ethernet and Gigabit connectivity for one or two studios.

• Catalyst 2960 WS-C2960G-48TC-L has 44 10/100/1000 + 4 Dual Purpose Gigabit Ethernet Uplinks, LAN Base Image
• Catalyst 2960 WS-C2960-24TC-L has 24 10/100 + 2 Dual Purpose Gigabit Ethernet Uplinks, LAN Base Image
• Catalyst 2960 WS-C2960G-48TC-L has 48 10/100 + 2 Dual Purpose Gigabit Ethernet Uplinks, LAN Base Image
• Catalyst 2960 WS-C2960G-24TC-L has 20 10/100/1000 + 4 Dual Purpose Gigabit Ethernet Uplinks, LAN Base Image

Hewlett-Packard ProCurve 2610 switches provide 10/100 Ethernet and Gigabit connectivity for one or two studios. All models are available with optional redundant external power supplies for backup power.

• ProCurve 2610-24 (J9085A) has 24 10/100 ports + 2 auto-sensing 10/100/1000 ports and 2 open mini-GBIC (SFP) slots. This unit is fanless and convection-cooled for noise-free operation.
• ProCurve 2610-12/12PWR (J9086A) has 24 10/100 ports, 12 with Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities, + 2 auto-sensing 10/100/1000 ports and 2 open mini-GBIC (SFP) slots.
• ProCurve 2610-24PWR (J9087A) has 24 10/100 ports with PoE + 2 auto-sensing 10/100/1000 ports and 2 open mini-GBIC (SFP) slots.
• ProCurve 2610-48 (J9088A) has 48 10/100 ports + 2 auto-sensing 10/100/1000 ports and 2 open mini-GBIC (SFP) slots.
• ProCurve 2610-48PWR (J9089A) has 48 10/100 ports with PoE + 2 auto-sensing 10/100/1000 ports and 2 open mini-GBIC (SFP) slots.

For Large and Medium-size IP-Audio Networks:

Edge (studio) Ethernet Switches:

Cisco Catalyst 2960 Series Switches provide 10/100 Ethernet and Gigabit connectivity for one or two studios.

• Catalyst 2960 WS-C2960G-48TC-L has 44 10/100/1000 + 4 Dual Purpose Gigabit Ethernet Uplinks, LAN Base Image
• Catalyst 2960 WS-C2960-24TC-L has 24 10/100 + 2 Dual Purpose Gigabit Ethernet Uplinks, LAN Base Image
• Catalyst 2960 WS-C2960-48TC-L has 48 10/100 + 2 Dual Purpose Gigabit Ethernet Uplinks, LAN Base Image
• Catalyst 2960 WS-C2960G-24TC-L has 20 10/100/1000 + 4 Dual Purpose Gigabit Ethernet Uplinks, LAN Base Image
• Catalyst 2960 WS-C2960G-8TC-L has 7 Ethernet 10/100/1000 ports and 1 dual-purpose uplink (dual-purpose uplink port has one 10/100/1000 Ethernet port and one SFP-based Gigabit Ethernet port, 1 port active).

Dual-purpose Core and Edge Ethernet Switches:

Cisco Catalyst 3560G Series Switches provide 10/100 Ethernet and Gigabit connectivity, and are available with Available with the Enhanced Multilayer Software image (EMI) that makes them perfect for hardware-based IP unicast and IP Multicast routing. Also has advanced QoS functions and centralized administration tools. Good as an edge switch for larger studio systems, or as a core for small to medium studio complexes.

• Catalyst 3560 WS-C3560G-24TS-E has 24 Ethernet 10/100/1000 ports and 2 SFP Gigabit ports
• Catalyst 3560 WS-C3560G-48TS-E has 48 Ethernet 10/100/1000 ports and 4 SFP  Gigabit ports

Core Ethernet Switches:

Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series Switches is a high-density modular switch that can provide any combination of 10/100/1000/Gigabit ports on copper or fiber interfaces using 24- and 48-port interchangeable line cards. A centralized architecture allows for the easy upgrade of all system ports to higher level functions; includes Web-based management. Very high-performance scalable system with up to 102Mpps nonblocking performance.

• Catalyst 4510R is a 10-slot frame with redundancy capabilities
• Catalyst 4507R is a 7-slot frame with redundancy capabilities
• Catalyst 4506 is a 6-slot frame
• Catalyst 4503 is a 3-slot frame

Cisco Catalyst 4900M Switch provides an ideal solution for space constrained deployments that require high performance wire speed services, high availability, and the modular flexibility of deploying Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet, all in a small 2RU form factor. The 4900M provides low latency, 10/100/1000 Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet and a top-of-rack access layer switching solution for rack-optimized servers. With a unique semi-fixed architecture, the 4900M provides the flexibility to deploy Gigabit Ethernet now, and cost-effectively migrate to10 Gigabit Ethernet as requirements change.

The Catalyst 4900M offers eight fixed wire-speed 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports, and two half-slots which you can fill with any combination of the following: * 20-port wire-speed 10/100/1000 (RJ-45) half-card * 8-port (2:1) 10 Gigabit Ethernet (X2) half-card (Cisco TwinGig Converter Module compatible) * 4-port wire-speed 10 Gigabit Ethernet (X2) half-card.

Cisco Catalyst 6500 series Switches are Cisco's flagship LAN switching platform. online diagnostics proactively detect hardware and software faults; redundant system components provide hardware-level resiliency. The Catalyst 6500 Series currently supports up to 1152 10/100-Mbps, 576 10/100/1000-Mbps, or 64 10-Gbps Ethernet ports in a single chassis, and system scalability up to 720 Gbps, providing 40 Gbps/slot (half-duplex). Additional choices include 3, 4, 6, 9, and 13-slot chassis options and several WAN interface module options.

Accessories:

• Cisco CAB-SFP-50CM Cisco Catalyst 3560 SFP Interconnect Cable (50 cm)
• Cisco GLC-T Gigabit Ethernet SFP, RJ-45 connector, 1000BASE-T transceiver
• Cisco RCKMNT-REC-1RU 1RU recessed rack-mount kit for the Cisco Catalyst 3560
• Cisco Redundant Power System 675

Hewlett-Packard ProCurve Switch 8212zl (J8715a) is a high-performance chassis switch platform with platform and software high-availability features to ensure system continuity. With unified core-to-edge infrastructure and management tools, the Switch 8212zl is tailored to high-performance, high-reliability converged network operations. Recommended as a core switch for larger medium-sized Axia installations. Includes 1 HP ProCurve Switch 8200zl Management Module, 2 HP ProCurve Switch 8200zl Fabric Modules, 1 HP ProCurve Switch 8200zl System Support Module and 1 HP ProCurve Switch 8212zl Chassis/Fan Tray. 12 open module slots support a maximum of 288 auto-sensing 10/100/1000 ports, 48 10-Gigabit ports, 288 mini-GBICs, or a combination of types.

Accessories:

• 875-watt and 1500-watt redundant power supplies
• A variety of Gigabit Mini-GBICs
• Wireless Services modules
• Fiber-optic and Media Converter plug-in modules

Switch Mini-FAQ

"Why can't I just use my favorite switch with Axia?"

People ask us this question every so often. We have standardized on Cisco and HP because their reliability, feature sets and performance are the best we've found. They also offer a wide range of switches at all price points to meet individual users' needs.

How come other manufacturers' switches don't measure up? This is mostly due to individual manufacturers' differing implementation of the same "standards". For file transfers and e-mail, these differences are immaterial. But for VoIP and, most especially, IP-Audio, these implementations become more important. It's quite possible for a given switch to "work" with just a few nodes attached, but when a more robust test of Axia's capabilities is applied, that same switch can fail.

For example, we found a nice, inexpensive switch from a well-known manufacturer which, on paper, met all specs and worked with small systems in the lab. However, it turned out to not actually meet its own published specs when deployed for rigorous service in a large Livewire system.

For this reason, we recommend and qualify only selected Cisco and HP switches for Axia clients.

"Why does Axia recommend EMI switch software versus SMI?"

Many Cisco switches are available with either the standard multilayer software image (SMI) or the enhanced multilayer software image (EMI). The SMI feature set includes advanced QoS, rate-limiting, ACLs, and basic routing functionality. The EMI provides a richer set of enterprise-class features, including advanced hardware-based IP unicast and IP Multicast routing as well as policy-based routing (PBR).

While SMI-equipped switches perform well in systems of limited scale, EMI software is needed in a core switch to make sure this switch provides multicast router function for the Axia LAN. Without mutlicast routing, SMI switches cannot negotiate core/edge relationships properly. This is needed to make sure the selected core switch will be the root of the IGMP multicast distribution tree and IGMP querier.

"Is it OK to mix brands of switches within the same Axia network?"

For small systems with simple networking structures, yes. But if you plan on expanding your network or using more sophisticated routing functions - such as implementing multiple core switches, or redundant links between edge and core switches - we recommend choosing switches from a single manufacturer to ensure seamless interworking.