I have to say my experiences are a little different. 

Software:
Brocade is easier to configure.  Cisco looks just like a router, if you
like that.  McData needs to get better.

Hardware
Cisco - never worked with it - but should be good.
Brocade - Old and new equipment - never had an issue in the last 3
years.  Rock solid.
McData - out of 6 switches in the last year, I have had 2 fans die, and
2 GBICs go bad. (The last GBIC may not be bad, it may be a port on the
switch itself - which is worse!)

Of course, I could have just gotten a lemon or two.  But McData is not
"the best when it comes to hardware, hands down."

-Andrew


Shyam Hazari wrote:

>I second Davids opinion. McData is definitely the best.
>
>-Shyam
>
>On 6/1/05, Cornely, David <David_Cornely AT intuit DOT com> wrote:
>  
>
>>Not if you want the best reliability/availability.  McData is the best when
>>it comes to hardware, hands down.
>>
>>It's been my experience that:
>>
>> 
>>
>>-Brocade has the easiest switches to manage configure but the most
>>unreliable in terms of uptime/bugs.
>>
>>-McData has the best reliability in terms of hardware/software but not the
>>easiest to manage/configure.
>>
>>-Cisco has the best combination of reliability and features.
>>
>> 
>>
>>McData models I recommend:
>>
>>-Sphereon 4500
>>
>>-Intrepid 6064
>>
>>-Intrepid 6140
>>
>> 
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: veritas-bu-admin AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu
>>[mailto:veritas-bu-admin AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu] On Behalf
>>Of Paul Keating
>>Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2005 08:13
>>To: veritas-bu AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu
>>Subject: RE: [Veritas-bu] Recommended Fiber Switch?
>>
>> 
>>
>>
>>Whether the 3800 or not, Seems Brocade is "the" player in the FC switch
>>market.
>>
>>
>> 
>>
>>
>>Paul
>>
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: veritas-bu-admin AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu
>>[mailto:veritas-bu-admin AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu] On Behalf
>>Of Piszcz, Justin
>>Sent: June 1, 2005 11:09 AM
>>To: veritas-bu AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu
>>Subject: RE: [Veritas-bu] Recommended Fiber Switch?
>>
>>Thanks for all of the replies, they have been most helpful.
>>
>>It appears the Brocade 3800 is the most popular model.
>>
>>
>>Justin.
>>    
>>
>
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>Veritas-bu maillist  -  Veritas-bu AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu
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>
>
>  
>

-- 
Andrew