Switch 4500GLayer 2-3 Performance, Interoperability and Feature Evaluation

Abstract

3Com Corporation commissioned The Tolly Group to evaluate its Switch 4500G for its ability to support VoIP as a key component of a voice-ready network, including PoE, and Quality of Service (QoS). Engineers also tested the IPv4 and IPv6 performance of the switch and its interoperability with switches from other vendors.

Tolly Group engineers evaluated the Switch 4500G’s feature set as it relates to supporting VoIP on a converged voice and data network, with both wired and wireless connections. Engineers also measured the IPv4 and IPv6 throughput and latency of the 24-port Switch 4500G, conducted tests to verify IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet support, and ran more than a dozen interoperability tests with a 3Com Switch 4200G, a 3Com Switch 5500GEI PWR, and switches from Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco Systems, Enterasys Networks, Extreme Networks, Foundry Networks, Fujitsu, IBM Nortel and Hewlett-Packard Co.

Tests were conducted in March-July 2007 at The Tolly Group’s lab in Boca Raton, FL, as well as Terremark Worldwide Inc.’s worldclass NAP of the Americas facility in Miami, FL.