Hey guys! I have about (30) Cisco 1841 routers that need 128MB CompactFlash cards. The original cards have ceased to function even after formatting a few different ways. I got a quote for replacements that were Cisco branded and this just isn't an option. They are way to expensive for me to use. Has anyone had any success using a 3rd party brand? I found this document that outlined some of the specs...but I can't find anyone that lists this information on the sales pages:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/routers ... ml#wp38832

Unigen Corporation seems to have made a bunch of them, but I can't find the part number on the card at their site.

If anyone has any suggestions, I would appreciate it.

3rd party cards work fine. Go get 1GB ones at BestBuy for $10.

_________________
blog.brokennetwork.ca

You can usually find them in bulk on eBay for pretty cheap. Relevant.

_________________
http://packetlife.net/

How would this affect SmartNet?

If you use 3rd party CF cards then kiss bye bye to any SmartNet...

_________________
---
David
CCIE R&S #38338, CCIP, CCNP

http://networkbroadcast.co.uk - My Blog
http://twitter.com/davidrothera

The TAC has never given two shits about me using third party flash...

+1, they just will not send a replacement when the card fails.

_________________
"If you're good at anticipating the human mind. It leaves nothing to chance."
-Jigsaw

Maybe I should elaborate a bit, if you tell them that your not using one then the first thing they will do is tell you to use a Cisco approved CF.

_________________
---
David
CCIE R&S #38338, CCIP, CCNP

http://networkbroadcast.co.uk - My Blog
http://twitter.com/davidrothera

Hi

Third party works fine and is a lot cheaper but as said by other members Cisco does not support third party memory or flash.

Regards
Herman

_________________
Herman Visser
Senior Cisco Engineer
hvisser@empirenet.co.uk
www.empirenet.co.uk
0800 978 8851

This fits my expectation, but has wider implications to the original topic. If there's a problem with the router, and it comes up that there's unsupported RAM/flash/SFP's, then I expect (and completely understand) that Cisco TAC will make you chase your tail to prove that the unapproved hardware isn't the cause of the problem before they'll offer an RMA. This can take a 4-hour response time into something that can take multiple days (and lots of afterhours work) to sort out.

That in itself may be enough to justify the additional cost. If it's a product worth 4-hour response, that loss in response time probably isn't worth the savings of a couple hundred dollars. So I wouldn't recommend third party equipment in a production router. For a lab, it's perfectly fine. But for a connection a business relies upon? I wouldn't risk it.

if it didn't have SmartNet, it wouldn't matter. but if your in a Cisco production environment without SmartNet you are in a world of hurt more than worrying about a few bucks.

_________________
"If you're good at anticipating the human mind. It leaves nothing to chance."
-Jigsaw