We are a K-8 Independent School with aging Network infrastructure that we are trying to develop an upgrade path for over the next 2 years. Our immediate goal is to have Gbit connection from the firewall through to every wired and wireless device. Our wireless is Xirrus and we have Cisco switches.
Our core switch is a 4507R that is at least 10 years old and has all 10/100 ports and is past end of life support. This switch connects to 2 - 3550's and 2 - 2960's with a Calyptics AE4000 Access Enforcer for a firewall.
We have an opportunity to purchase 3 10/100/1000 non PoE blades for the 4507R that have been boxed in a warehouse for several years. Would it be reasonable to invest 5,000 in this switch or should we be looking at something newer? I don't think I can afford more than about $15,000 this summer.
The problem is balancing a limited budget against reliability in a school setting where 400 students and 100 staff and faculty are banging the network with some regularity.
Thank you for any insight you share.
Thoughts?