looking for a switch

[kerykeion]

Hello,

I the next week or so, I am looking to upgrade my hub-based home network (10mb) to a fast ethernet (10/100mb) solution. I think that I will opt for an 8-port unmanaged switch instead of a hub. So any recommendations on which switches are the cheapest yet most reliable? What about performance? ... I'm assuming that it wouldn't vary much between the different makes and models.

 

[kylef]

I just bought the 5-port D-link 10/100 switch from Newegg for $38. It has worked great so far. Very fast. I've tried it with Linksys and Netgear 10/100 Nics, and an SMC 100 megabit PCMCIA card. All of them worked fine.

Here is a link to their Dlink page.

If you want the 8-port model, you can't beat the $48 price. Note that if that's all you order, you'll pay the full shipping amount listed.

The 5-port unit is absolutely TINY. The picture makes it look big, but it's only about 4 inches wide and about an inch or so high. The case is made out of metal, and it seems very sturdy.

 

[shadowagent]

I use a 5 port Linksys switch for part of my network and have been very happy with the results. Its a little more expensive then the D-Link.
Linksys is very good company to buy networking parts from. I have my whole house wired using only Linksys parts(router, hub, switch, wired and wireless NICs) and haven't had a single problem and its been over a year. I've also heard good things about D-Link, but in the end the choice is yours.

Linksys switch

 

[kerykeion]

Is $48 about as low as it gets for a brand name 8-port switch? It's a good price, but at buy.com, I had seen that they have an 8-port Linksys switch with 2 fast ethernet NICs for around $56. It is a bit more, but I could use the extra NICs to replace some of the old ISA ones I still use.

And after reading this review (AT, June 2000), I think that I will choose the one with the best warranty. Do SMC and D-Link still have lifetime warranties?

Thanks for the recommendations.

 

[heartsurgeon]

i just installed a 8-port linksys switch today in my office network. got it from buy.com for $56.00.
trying to sell the 2 nics on E*ay, as i don't need them.
small, looks great, installation trivial.
easy to add more ports later.
recommended.

 

[n0cmonkey]

I like the 4 port netgears switches (small for you I guess). Ive bought 2 of them and havent had any problems yet.