Top 5 Tech Products Available for Sale on gcsurplus.ca as Surplus Crown Assets
GCSurplus operates as the Government of Canada’s surplus asset marketplace, auctioning off everything from fleet vehicles to specialized equipment and electronics. Managed by Public Services and Procurement Canada, the platform handled over $50 million in revenue last year across 20,000+ transactions. Businesses and individuals alike can bid; many savvy buyers find big‑ticket or specialized tech bargains simply because the listing prices reflect government starting bids rather than market value.
1. Cisco Catalyst 2950 Series Switch – Starting at CAD $25
The Cisco Catalyst 2950 is a classic, fully managed 24-port Ethernet switch with robust Layer 2 capabilities, ideal for network segmentation, VLANs, and small-business environments. Though now discontinued, it remains reliable for labs, retrofitting, and environments where enterprise-grade Cisco management features (CLI, SNMP, QoS) are needed on a budget.
- Item: Cisco Catalyst 2950 Series Switch
- Starting Bid: $25.00 CAD
- Closing Date: March 11 2025, 3:33 p.m.
- Quantity: 1 unit (gcsurplus.ca)
Why It’s Worth It
- Enterprise Features at a Bargain
You get advanced management like VLAN, port security, and SNMP for under $30 CAD—far below new or even refurbished market prices. - Ideal for Homelab and Education
Power users, students, or teachers building networking setups can deploy self-hosted networks affordably. - Reliable Legacy Hardware
The sturdy build of Cisco switches makes them dependable for real-world applications—even after years.
Considerations Before Bidding
- Age & Support: The Catalyst 2950 is EOL (end-of-life), so Cisco firmware will no longer include security fixes. Use in closed labs or isolated environments.
- Power & Rack Requirements: Check if it needs a 110V AC input and if rackmount rails are included.
- Shipping & Pickup: These are pickup-only unless freight shipping is arranged—don’t overlook transport logistics.
2. Cisco C9300-48T 48-Port Switch – Starting at CAD $200
The Cisco Catalyst 9300 line is Cisco’s flagship stackable Layer 3 switch series—robust, Power over Ethernet capable, and designed for modern enterprise networks. It supports up to 48 ports at gigabit speeds, security features, and campus-scale deployments.
- Item: Cisco C9300-48T 48‑Port Switch
- Starting Bid: $200.00 CAD
- Closing Date: January 27 2025, 1:30 p.m.
- Quantity: 1 unit (gcsurplus.ca)
What Makes It a Must-Bid
- Enterprise-Class Capabilities
It offers stacking, security policies, IPv6 support, and flexibility for mid-range networks. - Huge Savings Potential
Brand-new C9300s fetch more than $4,000; even refurbished units rarely drop below $800. A $200 bid is a steal. - Future‑Proof Design
With Cisco DNA readiness and modular power options, these switches can live on in more modern deployments.
Important Caveats
- IOS Licensing Unknown: May lack full feature activation or DNA entitlements; be ready to verify licensing states.
- Physical Inspection Recommended: Check for stacking cables, dust, missing power supplies, or fan units.
- Weight & Shipping: These switches weigh in at 10kg/22lb; heavy-duty packing and freight shipping—or local pickup—is required.
3. Agilent Server Rack – Starting at CAD $5
Racks are essential infrastructure for networking, servers, and lab spaces. This listing features a high-quality Agilent server rack, complete with shelves, cable bars, lockable doors, and included hardware like nuts, bolts, and power bars.
- Item: Agilent Server Rack
- Starting Bid: $5.00 CAD
- Closing Date: September 26 2024, 3:31 p.m.
- Quantity: 1 unit (gcsurplus.ca)
Why This Listing Stands Out
- Bargain Starter Kit
At just $5, it’s an unbeatable deal compared to new 42U racks that start at $600+. - Fully-Built-In Accessories
With shelves, rails, locks, and cable management included, it’s instantly usable. - Build-Out Convenience
Great for transitioning to a home lab or professional workshop setup—scaleable and secure.
Potential Downsides
- Shipping Size/Weight: You’ll need a truck or freight service; measure doors and hallways first.
- Condition Considerations: Photos may not show scratches or rust; inspect or ask for updates before bidding.
- Pick‑Up Requirements: Pick-up schedule tends to be weekday warehouse hours—plan accordingly.
4. Supermicro 819UAS-10 Server – Sold For CAD $1,125 (Indicator of Value)
The Supermicro 819UAS-10 is a twin 1U Intel server chassis, popular in enterprise and colocation environments. It routinely houses dual Xeon CPUs, redundant power supplies, hot-swap drive trays, and is optimized for virtualization, container clusters, or compute-heavy workloads.
- Item: Supermicro 819UAS-10 Server
- Sold Price: $1,125 CAD
- Location: North York, ON (gcsurplus.ca, gcsurplus.ca)
Although sold, it sets a high-water benchmark and similar servers may appear again.
Why It’s a Benchmark Listing
- High-End Homelab & Enterprise Use
Popular for virtualization, Docker, and Ceph storage clusters—dual-socket performance makes it versatile. - Profit With Flips or Refurb
Even with a bid of $1,125+, refurbishing (new drives, network configs) can resell profitably above $2,000. - Indicator of Asset Quality
Government-grade hardware often beats the quality of typical refurbished units due to rigorous maintenance cycles.
What Buyers Should Know
- Premium Starting Bids: Expect similar or higher opening reserve prices in new listings.
- Hardware Specs Matter: Ask about CPU, RAM, disk drives, and storage controllers before bidding.
- Power & Noise: 1U servers with dual CPUs and fans can be loud; ensure your environment is prepared.
5. Cisco MDS 9148 Multilayer Fabric Switch – Starting Bid TBA
The Cisco MDS 9148 is a 48‑port Fibre Channel SAN switch used in enterprise storage environments. It offers blazing 8 Gbps speeds, zoning, and redundancy for mission-critical SAN clusters.
- Item: Cisco MDS 9148 Fabric Switch (Quantity: 2)
- Starting Bid: Not explicitly listed—but monitor under “Open” lots (gcsurplus.ca)
By filtering on active listings, you can get notified as bids begin.
Strategic Advantages
- Enterprise Fibre SAN Access at Low Cost
Newport 9148 switches sell for $4,000–$6,000; surplus listings may open at < $500. - Storage Lab or Medium‑Business Use
Suitable for test SANs, small-scale production, or mixed iSCSI/Fibre environments. - Resell Market Exists
Consultants refurb and resell these to smaller shops or labs for triple the cost.
What to Explore
- Firmware & License State: Ensure zoning features are active—some require code upgrades.
- Cabling & Modules: Check if optics (SFPs) are included; you may need additional adapters.
- Pickup or Shipping Plans: SAN gear is not heavy but requires careful packaging to prevent damage.
Bonus Tips for Bidding on GCSurplus Tech
- Set Search Alerts
Keywords like “Cisco”, “Supermicro”, “rack”, “SAN”, “C9300” will help you stay ahead of new listings. - Assess Ongoing Costs
Include transport, power usage, noise control, parts replacement, and calibration when budgeting. - Ask About License Keys
Layer 3, PoE, SAN features often require licensing; verify what is included. - Plan Logistics Early
Book freight/shipping services in advance, especially for heavy or bulky items. - Join Online Communities
Subreddits like r/homelab or r/CanadianTechGear share early intel and auction strategies.
In Summary: Top 5 Surplus Tech Finds on GCSurplus.ca
| Rank | Item | Starting Bid | Value Proposition |
| 1 | Cisco Catalyst 2950 | $25 CAD | Classic managed switch at floor price |
| 2 | Cisco C9300-48T | $200 CAD | Current‑gen enterprise switch unmatched value |
| 3 | Agilent Server Rack | $5 CAD | Full rack with accessories, unbeatable price |
| 4 | Supermicro 819UAS-10 | $1,125 CAD sold | Benchmark for high-end homelab gear |
| 5 | Cisco MDS 9148 | TBD | Fibre SAN for datacenter-level applications |
Final Take
From foundational network infrastructure (Catalyst 2950, C9300) to full-scale compute (Supermicro servers), and enterprise storage (MDS switches), these surplus listings offer unmatched potential for homelab enthusiasts, SMB IT teams, or even commercial refurb/resell ventures. The incredibly low starting bids make them worth chasing—even with resourcing and logistics planning in mind.
If you’d like help spotting live listings, comparing specs, calculating refurb costs, or organizing logistics, just ask—I’m here to help you score big on GCSurplus! 🚀