* Alex Bligh (amb@gxn.net) [990625 20:27]:
From a non-cisco internal point of view, when I have a problem with Cisco TAC's performance which happens occassionally, I contact my account manager and/or our contact in Cisco Service. Whilst I can't say they've fixed everything 100% of the time, they are far more likely to do something than whinging anonymously on NANOG. Every call desk has their rogue idiots. Another part of my company runs several desks- when people complain, we identify the individuals and try & get it fixed. In order to do this they'll need your name, and the rep's name.
On a final note (and no I don't take their shilling) Cisco's TAC is the best of any large-scale hardware vendor I've ever used. Still. Despite foibles. If you a lot worse, you should have tried Ascend Europe (which has possibly improved since a year ago when we dumped all their kit - this being one of the main reasons).
The cynic in my wonders why this is posted anonymously. Just what have you got to hide? Not working for a competitor or market researcher per chance?
-- Alex Bligh GX Networks (formerly Xara Networks)
From my point of view, it depends which hardware support do you need and
Well.... My experience with Cisco-TAC is mixed. Sometimes, if you have VERY big problems, they help you quite quickly, so i agree to your position about the cisco tac. But if it depends general issues (e.g. FastEthernet Card on 3640 not recognizing Link, asking for documentation about internal registers ) then you run into problems. Therefore i had the same negative response as the poster of the original mail on nanog. About Ascend TAC: It depends on which issue you ask them. If you have Problems with MAX or TNT or "access equipment" you might have a problem :-)) If you are talking with them about "core switches" like our (now lovely workingi) BSTDX 9000's we purchased from them, you get 1A (means FANTASTIC SUPPORT) service and support. the knowledge about this products (and the history behind the product). Jan Czmok Senior Network Engineer Gigabell AG -- Jan Czmok Senior Network Engineer GIGABELL AG