Considerations about what people answer "first hand"...

A couple days ago, in a forum where people trade some reviews, and opinions about technology ( IT central Station, for the curious ones), there was a simple question:

"What Ethernet Switching are you using, and why?"

Now.. some people started replying with "Brocade / Cisco / HP / Avaya"... fair enough, most explained why and how they are using these switches, and the reasoning behind their own usage...

I was however left with a question, that was the first that came to my mind...

For what function are you wanting this insight to?

1. To connect 4 people in a local office? 
2. To connect 40 people in a remote office? 
3. To connect 20 people, in 4 different networks, inside the same office, and 2 people in a remote office? 
4. To connect 30 people, in 4 different networks, inside the same office, and 2 people in a neighboring office room? 
5. Is it a initial setup, looking forward to expanding the network? if so, expand it to what level? 

The reasoning behind the question, is that, between the above solutions, you can probably choose between a solution of some 30€, and up to around 1000€ for option 3...

The simple point is, despite what you think the best manufacturer / brand / model is, your solution, in the end, should take cost and purpose first, while:

• checking costumer requirements 
• AFTER you have those requirements settled, then see what is available for you in the market, and what the best solution would be... 

I've learned over time "fundamentalism" is, in general, a bad thing... like Windows vs. Linux (declaration of interest, I was a hardcore Linux fan in college, way back when...).

If your business needs, compliance, internal policy, or other reasons (specific software availability, for example), then you need to be flexible and give THE COSTUMER, the best solution that fulfills their needs (and pocket...!).