We are implementing a new core routing switch for our client. The client insists on auto-negotiate on all ports, primarily because his new test equipment (a hand-held pinger device) does not operate at Gb speed, and his laptop doesn’t have a Gb adapter.
I have personally experienced a few problems with auto-neg, and every network engineer I have worked with (Alcatel, HP, Nortel, Cisco) recommends against it.
I need something to try to convince him to re-consider. My issue is that he is likely to experience intermittent problems which we (and our equipment) will be blamed for.
Does anyone have any hard facts on specific problems caused caused by auto-neg, or perhaps war stories? Alternately, am I wrong to push him in this direction?
Thanks for any help you can offer.