You can find slightly better pricing if you keep an eye out - these are $50 cheaper.
Blade Network RackSwitch G8124F 10G SFP+ 24 Port Switch BAF-00027-00 0446HC8
The console cable IS annoying, but it IS at least common across Blade switches, IBM switches, and IBM Blade Chassis equipment, also a few Juniper products. While not 'industry standard', it's at least not 'full blown unicorn'
There is an F and an R Model for Front to Rear or Rear to Front fans and power supplies. Get the right one. Changing them later is expensive and not as simple as unscrewing and reversing the fans (so far as I found)
Firmware is available via IBM. It will ask for serial number and want a service contract. But right below that part of the screen is a 'if you are a managed provider click here' and it gives you an honour system link that you have to pinky swear is legit etc. (Do with that information what you will, I'm just telling stories...)
The switches are pretty good. I had a pair of these I replaced with g8264's in my lab, my office lab, and in production with spares. There's some odd CLI things but you get past that quickly. They have an option to enable an 'ISCLI' mode - IS Cisco Like Interface, that helps bring some sanity.
The console cables are $50 retail, should be less than that if you look. I'm at VMworld right now, but I can post the part numbers later on if anyone needs them.
It hasn't complained about any Dell or Cisco, or Brocade (active) DAC's I've tried. I don't use optical at all so can't comment there. Also have no idea how many of my cables are legit OEM and how many are Chinese copy, but everything 'just worked'
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