Abstract

Extreme Networks, Inc. commissioned The Tolly Group to evaluate the Layer 2 and Layer 3 interoperability of three of its switches: an Alpine 3804, version 6.22, a workgroup/departmental switch; a BlackDiamond 6808, version 6.22, a core/backbone switch; and a Summit48si, version 6.22, an edge switch. The Tolly Group engineers put each device through a battery of tests designed to reveal the depth of interoperability the switch provides. The devices were tested for interoperability with eleven other switches from eight other network infrastructure vendors. Tests were conducted in conjunction with The Tolly Group/Network World Switch Interoperability Study 2002; vendors configured their own devices for testing. Mandatory tests were broken down into two groups: Layer 2 tests of auto-negotiation, Link Aggregation (802.3ad), Gigabit Ethernet uplink support and support for IEEE 802.1p/Q; and Layer 3 tests of Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) protocol, Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)-4, Routing Information Protocol (RIP) 1 and RIP 2, IPX RIP, the Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) and IP Multicast support. Optional tests focused on support for Jumbo Frames and 10-Gigabit Ethernet LAN PHY interface support.