Should I buy a Cisco Pix 501 and a 605 E, or two 501s? What are the differences? Is Smartnet Service really needed?

Should I buy a Cisco Pix 501 and a 605 E, or two 501s? What are the differences?

I need to connect a remote branch to our main system using DSL. I've been recommended a Cisco Pix 605 E for the main office, and a Cisco Pix 501 for the branch.

The main office consists of a single Windows 2000 Server with Appox.

30 -35 local clients with 15 - 20 networked printers. I'm told the networked printers count for an IP address. Some of the printers are connected to a network device that handles 3 printers (I think with a single IP address).

I could probably get away with a 501 for the branch with the standard

10 user licenses, as there are 4 pcs & 5 printers. I could always upgrade to the 50 user license in the future if needed. How complicated is it to upgrade to 50 users by the way and what's involved? Is it something I can do myself as a pc specialist, or does it require a networking expert like my MSCE?

What would the advantage be to having a 605 E instead of a 501 with 50 licenses at the main office? We probably won't be having people connect from their homes, so it's probably just those 4 pcs. Does the

605 E offer a lot more security protection, and is it necessary? The 501 should offer much better protection than what we currently have, but we're not having computer connect via the Internet currently.

Currently the branch connects to the server via very expensive 56k dedicated line, so I don't think speed is too much of an issue. I heard the 605 E has a 200mhz processor instead of a 133mhz or something like that. The DSL connection should be much cheaper & faster as a bonus.

My sales rep mentioned he has never sold a Pix without the Smartnet service. He described the service as not only technical support, but as a service that sends regular updates to the routers automatically, sometimes several times a day, similar to virus definition updates. Is this being explained correctly? Are you all subscribing to this service for that reason? Is the Pix kind of worthless without this service?

I have a MCSE that will help me hook up everything, so hopefully we won't need the Smartnet for the technical support.

Thanks for any advice

Reply to
Nate Goulet
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First, don't let the MCSE touch anything, if you do you are begging for trouble ;)

In this case you could probably get away with two 501's instead of a 501 and a 506E. The 506E is faster and does not have a user restriction.

One my my clients has a similar setup, main off with branch office, 506e at the main, 501 at the branch. I chose the 506e at the main office because home users were also connecting via VPN.

Unless I'm getting screwed with my SmartNet contracts, I've never had Cisco automatically update anything for me. With MartNet you get access to more of Cisco's web site, including software upgrades for the device you have a contract for. Upgrading a PIX isn't all that difficult to do, even an MCSE should be able to handle it, despite my earlier comment.

Reply to
Wayne

First, I agree with Wayne, unless your MCSE has any cisco experience keep him away. Even if he does have cisco exp. the PIX IOS is quite different from a router or switch.

I, too, recommend two 501's since you stated speed isn't an issue. Just highly recommend you go with a newer PIX (software 6.3 +) so you get the full 100 Mbps Full Duplex capability on the WAN port of the 501.

One thing I think you misunderstand is that your printers don't count towards your user limit on the PIX. It doesn't matter how many nodes (computers, printers, other networked items) are on your network. The

10 user limitation or 50 user limitation applies to how many active connections going through the PIX. If someone at your main office is printing to your branch office printers then that would count against you, but simply having a printer on the network doesn't count against you. I have 15 PCs on my network and have a 10 user PIX. If all 15 PCs need on the net at the same time someone can wait (in my opinion).

Upgrading the software from a 10 user to 50 user is so simple it isn't worth mentioning more about it.

My two yen worth! Wils> First, don't let the MCSE touch anything, if you do you are begging for > trouble ;)

Reply to
Wilson

Thanks for the replies.

One thing i'm not clear about it if you both have the SmartNet service, and recommend or insist I also subscribe to that service.

Should I get SmartNet?

Thanks.

Reply to
Nate Goulet

No, I do not have SmartNet. But, Since you are talking about doing this with your office and (no offense) have little/no experience with the PIX then I highly recommend you get SmartNet. It is difficult to purchase a

10 user SmartNet from anyone other than cisco itself so good luck.

So...definitely get SmartNet. But if you don't need to be up 24/7 you can go with the 8/5 option. Really depends on your budget and needs.

My two yen worth! Wils> Thanks for the replies.

Reply to
Wilson

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