Network Switch Recommendation

Posted by: Tog on 07 August 2011

As I ponder how to shift from wifi streaming and work out how to complete the last section of Cat6 cabling in a 19th Century house without Mrs Tog noticing I wondered if any of you guys could recommend an small Ethernet switch to link my server and Uniti whilst providing some isolation from the rest of the network traffic.

Tog
Posted on: 07 August 2011 by Jack
After trying a few I'm currently using the Netgear GS108 ProSafe.........seems to work very well if you are just after a basic switch with Gigabit capability.
Posted on: 07 August 2011 by garyi

I have a USRobotics gigiabit jobbie which is managed, I have to say though I have not had cause to use the managed part of it so for me at least was not critical.

 

Get at least twice the amount of ports you think you will use!

Posted on: 07 August 2011 by Reality

I use a Pluscom Gigabit switch by my little cube machine (Mini-ITX used mainly for streaming) as it's nice and small and silent.

It's about 6" x 4" x 1" and has 8 ports.

Works fine. I have rack mounted Cisco gear out in my workshop and it plays nicely on my main network.

I don't know if it's still a current model, but if it's any help its a N8PG-VSC7388.

It's one of the smallest Gigabit RJ45 switches I've seen.

 

Another nice "feature" is the price!! It's less than £30 and is a perfectly capable, simple, plug 'n' play type of switch.

 

Just out of interest, did you look into networking over mains solutions before running Ethernet cable?

It's currently capable (more at less, at least) of matching Gigabit copper 802.3 lines.

Posted on: 07 August 2011 by SteveH

Another vote for the Netgear GS108.  Worth trying it with a linear PS as well if you can.

Posted on: 07 August 2011 by Harry

I have a Buffalo bridge with four ports into the back. I expect it's old hat now as they seem to bring out newer devices every time you blink. It's small, unassuming, easy to set up and has run faultlessly. Just what i needed and probably not significantly better or worse than all the others.

Posted on: 07 August 2011 by Manu
Originally Posted by SteveH:

Another vote for the Netgear GS108.  Worth trying it with a linear PS as well if you can.

It sounds better with the linear PS?

 

Joke apart, I vote for Netgear too for domestic use.

Posted on: 07 August 2011 by rhr
Have a look at the dell 2808 & 2816, they are small and quiet (no fans) and can be run managed or unmanaged. They also have the older 27xx range. Both ranges can be picked up cheaply on e-bay. They are reliable and can be set up simply in unmanaged mode or more complexly in managed.
Also hp have a similar range (v1810) although I haven't got any experience with these.
Posted on: 07 August 2011 by SteveH

Manu

 

Try and linear and see what you think. 

Posted on: 07 August 2011 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Hi - yes also recommend the new Netgear gigabit ethernet switches. The smaller ones are completely silent (no fans etc)  and cheap to run. The new 'green' models sense the length of the UTP cable (CAT cable) and reduce power for short length. Great for reduce EMI in the receiver and helps reduce the leccy bills.

 

Simon

Posted on: 18 August 2011 by DQ

Excellent, thanks for the rec. Just ordered a netgear switch from Amazon.

 

Now need to go get some RFI chokes from the shack

Posted on: 19 August 2011 by Simon-in-Suffolk
DQ, indeed, that's where I get my chokes from :-)  Hope you are enjoying the increased sun spot activity.....
Simon
Posted on: 19 August 2011 by DavidDever

I use a NETGEAR GS108T "smart switch" which can conveniently be powered remotely over PoE (or locally)–this keeps the hi-fi side well isolated from any noise generated by the switch and radiated back into the mains.

 

GS-108T-200 PROSAFE® 8-PORT GIGABIT SMART SWITCH

Posted on: 19 August 2011 by DQ

I suspect my switch will not be nearly as clever as that!

 

 

 

 

Cheers, David