ethernet switch

Topic

New Reply

Any forum members using an ethernet switch (not “splitter”) to add a device to your LAN?  How is it working out?  Where did you buy it?  Upsides & downsides?  Please post all the sordid details.

Moderator’s Note: Topic relocated to the Networking forum.

Reply | Quote

Replies

In the past, I have used a D-Link 5-port ethernet switch to connect multiple devices to my network. The important thing is to choose a switch that matches or exceeds the speed of your network/ethernet cards connected.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Slowpoke47

Reply | Quote

The D-Link site:

https://shop.us.dlink.com/products/d-link-gigabit-switch-unmanaged-5-port

calls out the speed as “Gigabit.”  Our router spec is10 GB.  Is that a good match?

Reply | Quote

Ethernet switch is the standard for a box that gives you extra physical connections and has been for a very long time. All the work is done in hardware and performance differences between cheapies and expensive is the total throughput – cheapies will sustain 1Gb in total between all connections, more money buys you more bandwidth for all connections.

For home / SOHO use, buy the cheapest unit that has a warranty.

cheers, Paul

1 user thanked author for this post.

Slowpoke47

Reply | Quote

I haven’t used an ethernet switch, but I have used a printer switch back in the day when I needed 2 computers connected to the same printer.

It was an “iogear GUB231 2-port usb 2.0 automatic printer switch”. I ordered it through a local Office Depot store. Simple installation, excellent documentation, no downside, and no sordid details.

I’m telling you all this because iogear sells all kinds of connectivity switches including ethernet switches – at least they did back then, which was 5 or 6 years ago.

https://iogear.com

1 user thanked author for this post.

Slowpoke47

Reply | Quote

Unmanaged Ethernet switches (as distinct from the older, Ethernet “hubs”) work extremely well. There is no software to install, and they are simple plug-and-play devices with no setup.

This is the network panel I installed in my house, and which worked flawlessly for over 20 years. I installed it above the doorway inside the kitchen pantry (which happened to be centrally located for even distribution of the router’s WiFi signal throughout the house without resorting to repeaters).

The internet modem (“Arris”) connected (via orange cable) to a 4-port router (“Asus”), which fed (via green cables) my VoIP adapter (“Vonage”), my solar array monitor (“Sungevity”), and a 16-port Netgear Ethernet switch. The Netgear connected (via blue cables) to wall jacks that distributed Ethernet throughout the rest of the house.

I even daisy-chained additional 4-port switches in my office downstairs and my wife’s office upstairs so we could connect printers and scanners to the LAN. (When I pulled the Ethernet cabling through the walls in 2000, I had not anticipated needing more than two Ethernet ports in any room, but later discovered I needed three to four in each office.)

As PKCano mentioned, to avoid becoming a network bottleneck you’ll want to choose a switch that meets or exceeds the speed of your router and each computer’s network card.

I retired and left California almost two years ago, and when I did I just left everything there for the new owners. The router and network switch were by then old 100mps devices, so there was little incentive to try and reclaim them for my new house. I left them so the new owner could be up and running immediately, and the new owner could later upgrade the router and switch to faster devices at their convenience.

Switches for home networking are pretty much commodity items these days, so don’t fret over brand names. I chose Netgear primarily because their form factor puts the status lights and jacks on the front for easy access. Depending on where you place your switch, that may not be as important to you.

 

1 user thanked author for this post.

Slowpoke47

Reply | Quote

I am using a 1GB 5-port TP-Link switch for my Network. Works fine.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Slowpoke47

Reply | Quote

Thanks to all for posting, all good advice.  I’m considering adding just one more device to the network, not likely to be any further additions, and I know to avoid splitters.  Some years ago I wired the house, using the typical 1- and 2-port RJ45 outlets.

I plan to use a switch in the port now connected to the network printer in order to get the extra port.  AC power for the switch is right there.

Plan B would be to connect the printer directly to the adjacent pc to free up a port, but I’m leaning toward the switch.

Reply | Quote

Been using this Linksys SE3005 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch for a number of years and have never experienced any problems.

Available from Amazon for $24.99

1 user thanked author for this post.

Slowpoke47

Reply | Quote

I’ve been using a Netgear GS305 unmanaged switch for a few years, now.  Don’t even know it’s there.  $16.99 at Amazon.

 

 

 

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

1 user thanked author for this post.

Slowpoke47

Reply | Quote

I have been using a “NETGEAR ProSAFE 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch (GS108)” since 2016.

It just works! A small power cube provides the needed power, no other setup. Plug & Play.

It is currently $44.99 at Newegg.com.

 

1 user thanked author for this post.

Slowpoke47

Reply | Quote

JC Zorkoff wrote:

I have been using a “NETGEAR ProSAFE 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch (GS108)” since 2016. It just works! A small power cube provides the needed power, no other setup. Plug & Play. It is currently $44.99 at Newegg.com.

I have the same unit. I previously had the GS308 (which is $20 on Amazon), but it got hit with a lightning surge. I replaced it with the GS108 and I got a great deal on it for $22 at Walmart. The GS108 is better quality than the GS308. It turns out the reason for the great deal is that it was a refurb (or return/resale). But, it works great, and like you say, Plug & Play! Amazon sells it for the same price as Newegg.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Slowpoke47

Reply | Quote

Thanks for all the suggestions.  Looked them all up and found them very similar.  Went with the D-Link because it was the best deal- $20 including postage on eBay, in a factory-sealed package.

The hookup, as you all said, was a non-event, like plugging in a toaster or suchlike.

When the question of an additional port first came up, I called our service provider, Verizon, who said they could help- they would be glad to rent us a switch, just under $20/ month.  I told the phone agent I’d let them know if I was interested.

Hope Verizon didn’t structure their business plan around me.

 

1 user thanked author for this post.

Alex5723

Reply | Quote