c
 


  c    

 
 


When planning a new network architecture, with so many hardware and software network equipment
vendors CIOs and IT decision makers are facing challenging decisions: is it better to standardize on one
network equipment vendor, even though other vendors may offer products that are more capable or
should one choose the best product for each network component (for example switches and routers)
and assure interoperability?

Cisco CEO John Chambers met with seven CEOs and CIOs during the Labor Day week 2010 promoting
not routers and switches but business transformation through collaboration and virtualization. Mr.
Chambers was all about the business architecture and changing the way a company operates and
executes on its own business model.

Shortly after these meetings, in November 2010, Gartner issued a report entitled ͞Debunking the Myth
of the Single-Vendor Network͟ which was considered by some a ͞Cisco-bashing͟ type of report. Gartner
recommending that most organizations should consider a dual-vendor or multivendor solution as a
viable approach to building their network, as significant cost savings are achievable with no increase in
network complexity, while improving the focus on meeting business requirements͟.

If immediate and long term costs aren͛t a major issue the answer may rest with the needs and size of
each company. If the company͛s WAN doesn͛t require a maximum performance, it may not make sense
to design a dual-vendor network and assure compatibility when Cisco's offerings may more than satisfy
the requirements. However if your customers require maximum performance, one can have a strong
argument to consider one or more vendor solutions researching and comparing best products on the
market and assuring compatibilities. È really capable engineer should be able to match different
vendors and platforms easily, however one should expect an impact on level 1 - 3 techs in the NOC as
well as a potential increase in costs and maintenance, not to forget the potential finger-pointing that is
more likely to happen in multi-vendor environment when technical support is needed.

In conclusion there are times when multi-vendor solutions are recommended or required however they
do tend to cost more to design as well as implement and support. If a single vendor environment is
proffered then Cisco (or Juniper and other major brands) may be your best solution.
ror information on network infrastructure assessment, design and implementation and vendor
recommendation please contact Celergy at (760)-268-1913 or visit our website at www.Celergy.com.