Thanks for everyone who responded on and off list.
As a small company that is happy to still be in business the pricing is too good to ignore. A “gently used” ASR-9006 is something like $45k for one plus a shelf spare. A brand new SLX 9540 is something like $30k for one plus a shelf spare.
There were some common things. Software is behind where we would like. The occasional bug like that SSH one. Also there are some relatively common features like IPv6 outbound ACL and BGP MED that aren’t there. This stuff isn't a showstopper but I will take this a sign of things to come.
As for the notes about full tables. Different vendors seem to have used different techniques to get past the hard FIB limit that we are all used to. I had the same question when pawing through the spec sheets. So I asked the sales rep:
“We can support 1.5M routes…..
These platforms support all of the requirements detailed above for Internet routing. In particular, they support a table size of 1.5 million IP routes today, ensuring headroom for the next 5-7 years. This scale is made possible through our new technology called Extreme OptiScale™ for Internet Routing that optimizes programmable hardware and software capabilities to accelerate innovation and deliver investment protection.
https://www.extremenetworks.com/extreme-networks-blog/internet-routing-in-the-enterprise/”
Kevin Burke
802-540-0979
Burlington Telecom - City of Burlington
200 Church St, Burlington, VT 05401
-----Original Message-----
From: NANOG <nanog-bounces@nanog.org> On Behalf Of Kevin Burke
Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2018 4:02 PM
To: nanog@nanog.org
Subject: Brocade SLX Internet Edge
Does anyone have any success with the Brocade SLX 9540 or similar? Its going to be taking full BGP tables from two Tier1's and some peering.
The specs and sales rep says its fine, but the price makes me think its too good to be true.
We are trying to shepherd an old Cat 6509 out of our core.
Kevin Burke
802-540-0979
Burlington Telecom - City of Burlington
200 Church St, Burlington, VT 05401