Also sprach Stephen Rivera
You makes some great points here and I completely agree. And I applaud your business decision to take the proper measure to get the support you needed. I just wish I could have sold you that support contract :)
I think if we can continue to discuss the problems in a professional matter, (rather than bitching about it) maybe, and this is a long shot that we might be able to make changes.Threats to buy Cisco is not going to get anything accomplished.
Actually, threats to buy Cisco is *exactly* what will get things accomplished. If 3Com realizes that they are loosing customers (and they *are*) over these policies, then they *should* (unless their idiotic businessmen, which I don't rule out) find a way to change those policies while still accomplishing their goals. They have not done so in over 4 years now.
Commworks is not a routing company, they are an access company, they dont claim to be Cisco. I personally feel that the comparison of the 2 is like comparing apples to oranges.
Then, to be honest, you don't have a good understanding of what routing and access serving is. An Access Server *is* a router, no two ways about it. An Access Server has to do everything that a router does, and then some. To be a good Access Server, a device has to first be a good router. Also, Cisco is a router company...but they're also an Access Server company. The AS5350, AS5400, and AS5850 are everything that the TC1000 is and more.
So what do we do from here?
Realize that 3Com management still has their heads in the sand and will not change their ways short of Chapter 11 and quit buying their products and start buying Cisco/Patton/Lucent/whoever. 3Com management *will not* listen to our concerns at this point. They are aware of them, I promise you that...from the personal conversation that I had with Irfan Ali and Al Huefner about 4 years ago, they are aware of our concerns...these concerns have never been addressed in any shape or fashion.
Thanks for not biting my head off and I defintely see your points.
I hope I have not come across as taking your head off...its certainly not my intent. I hope, however, that you realize the futility of what you're trying to do. I've been around here for many many years at this point, making the same points over and over, and they have never been listened to. There comes a point where you quit beating your head against the wall. -- Jeff McAdams Email: jeffm@iglou.com Head Network Administrator Voice: (502) 966-3848 IgLou Internet Services (800) 436-4456