Re: Cisco hardware question

[Brian Feeny <bfeeny () mac com>]

On Mar 4, 2010, at 6:16 PM, Kaveh . wrote:

> Thanks for the feedback. Let me clarify a few things regarding issues that this thread has addressed so far:
>
> A) Pre-existing configs: What Tim and Joe mentioned is apparently correct. I was on phone with a few Cisco tech-reps 
> earlier today and they told me that since version 8.2, they have been shipping ASAs with a default configuration, 
> which explains the existence of private IP addresses on the inside interface, etc ... .
>
> C) SmarNet issue: I am a little confused on this. Since this purchase was for NEW equipment, and the devices were 
> shipped by Cisco (at least that is what I read on the box; a Cisco warehouse in TX), then my understanding is that 
> the devices came with the first 12 months of Smarnet anyway. So I will be surprised if they decline the contract 
> renewal after the first year. After all they sold us the appliances as if they were new. How can decline renewal if I 
> can prove that I paid them for new?


Cisco devices don't "come" with SmartNet.  They come with a manufacturer warranty which does not entitle you to the 
same support as smartnet (TAC support, software upgrades, 4 or 8 hour replacement, etc).  You need to purchase SmartNet 
which is recommended.


> D) Reseller: Yes, I appreciate the input. I will stick with a bigger name like CDW, next time, but again it appears 
> to me that the devices were shipped from a Cisco warehouse in Texas, and not from the reseller's location. 

Buying from CDW is not worth the extra 1% or whatever.  What I meant was find a good partner that has account managers 
that are there for you, engineers you can lean on for pre-sales support, and treats you with customer service.  That 
could be anyone, but you have to find these partners as not every company these days understands what customer service 
is.  They will answer all these types of questions you posted here as well.

Brian



> I would greatly appreciate any input, especially on B)
>
>
>
> Thank you
>
>
>
> Best regards
>
>
>
> > Subject: RE: Cisco hardware question
> > Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 14:27:04 -0800
> > From: MAdcock () hisna com
> > To: ken.gilmour () gmail com
> > CC: nanog () nanog org
> >
> > According to previous conversations with my Cisco rep the answer is no - Cisco won't support it. I'm blind copying 
> > him on this and will pass on his response.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Matt
> >
> > ________________________________
> >
> > From: Ken Gilmour [mailto:ken.gilmour () gmail com]
> > Sent: Thu 3/4/2010 4:17 PM
> > To: Adcock, Matt [HISNA]
> > Cc: nanog () nanog org
> > Subject: Re: Cisco hardware question
> >
> >
> > So if one were to purchase equipment, which is explicitly sold as "Refurbished" from, say www.impulsetech.us and 
> > they were to offer Smartnet on it, there is no guarantee that even if you paid for it, that Cisco would fulfil their 
> > support contract?
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Ken
> >
> >
> > On 4 March 2010 15:22, Adcock, Matt [HISNA] <MAdcock () hisna com> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > Don't deploy the equipment, demand a refund, and report the reseller to Cisco. I agree completely with Brian - find 
> > a good Cisco partner and stick with them. Also, you can't legally buy used Cisco equipment and use the operating 
> > system. You can buy the equipment but the OS is absolutely non-transferrable. If you try to get SMARTNet on it red 
> > flags will go up and Cisco won't support it.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Matt
> >
> >
> >
> > Matt Adcock, Manager
> > 334-481-6629 (w) / 334-312-5393 (m) / MAdcock () hisna com
> > 700 Hyundai Blvd. / Montgomery, AL 36105
> >
> > P
> > The average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of paper = 1.2 trees, per year
> > By not printing this email, you've saved paper, ink and millions of trees
> >
> >
> >
> > From: Brian Feeny [mailto:bfeeny () mac com]
> > Sent: Thu 3/4/2010 3:05 PM
> > To: Kaveh .
> > Cc: nanog () nanog org
> > Subject: Re: Cisco hardware question
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > If you are getting Cisco hardware with configs on it or crashfiles, etc. Then no it is NOT new equipment. Who are 
> > you buying from? Are they a Gold partner on Cisco's partner locator? If not, then I have seen some seedy things, and 
> > of course i have seen seedy things with Gold partners too, I am just pointing out that the ability to compete and 
> > make margin get more and more difficult the lower the partner is on the totem pole and so desperation can drive 
> > certain behavior.
> >
> > In general from a cisco Gold partner you can expect as good as 35-40% or so on new equipment for a discount for 
> > regular deals. Special pricing for special projects you may be able to get a bit better, and maybe 1% or so better 
> > for general products from CDW or a big box company like them. If you are paying 50-60% off list for just individual 
> > items you order, then its likely not new and there is likely something shady going on, as no partner is going to get 
> > you some special discount pricing on a single 3845 for example.
> >
> > All of your good gold partners are going to charge around the same give or take a few percent on material. So find 
> > someone you can trust and just build a relationship. If your paying new prices for used gear then yes you are 
> > getting ripped off.
> >
> > I would be glad to recommend to you a reputable gold partner if you email me off list.
> >
> >
> > Brian
> >
> >
> > On Mar 4, 2010, at 3:48 PM, Kaveh . wrote:
> >
> > > Hello,
> > >
> > > I apologize if this is an unusual topic but I would like to know what this expert community thinks about this issue:
> > >
> > > We have noticed that a number of Cisco appliances we have recently purchased and paid (AS NEW), are being shipped 
> > > as if they have been already used/refurbished. In other words, several times we have seen brand new Cisco hardware, 
> > > out of the box, that has pre-existing configuration (Interfaces with Private IP addresses, static routes, etc ...) 
> > > and in some cases even non-system files, like 'crashdump.txt' or additional IOS images. Most importantly our latest 
> > > purchase; 2 'new' ASAs, contain a series of files named: FSCK0000.REC, FSCK0001.REC, FSCK0002.REC, etc ... . Based 
> > > on some research it seems like that these files are 'recovery files' signaling bad/failing hard disks in these 
> > > appliances.
> > > Anyone on thhis group has seen this before and if yes, are we supposed to blindly trust the vendor saying the 
> > > hardware is new, safe and secure?
> > >
> > > The only way I can explain this is that the hardware has been refurbished or previously configured for reasons 
> > > unknown to me. I think if customers pays for new hardware, they should get new hardware, even if refurbished 
> > > hardware may be covered by Smartnet.
> > >
> > > Any thoughts or recommendations anyone? The last thing we want to do is to deploy faulty (or non secure) security 
> > > appliances in production. :)
> > >
> > > Thank you
> > >
> > > Best regards
> >
> >
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