Need help choosing a cheap gigabit switch

[Lightning983]

Hello,
I'm building myself a small home network, and i don't plan on hooking up more than 4 computer at any time...
When i was building my house i planned a network and already layed out the cables so this should be much faster than wireless...

But now i'm kind of stuck with choosing a decent switch.
I found these 3 for basically the same price, they all have similar specs and i'm not really into this so any advice on wha brand is best is welcome

Micronet, SP665C 5-port Gigabit Switch
Netgear Platinum Series /GS605GE, 5 Port Gigabit Switch
D-Link DGS-1005D, 5 Port Gigabit Switch

I'm kind of leaning to the D-Link, but i heard the fan is kind of loud?

Oh Well,
Thanx,
Tom,

 

[masteryoda34]

In my experience name brand networking equipment is worth the price premium. Netgear, linksys, d-link, belkin, etc.

That d-link 5port has a fan? Really? hmm.

 

[spidey07]

There isn't much difference between any gigabit switch unless you need specific features like jumbo frames, qos, management, etc. Probably best if you look at a 8 or 12 port model.

 

[AnnonUSA]

Get a Netgear GS105NA good switch - Bulletproof...Use them all the time.

 

[kevnich2]

Here's the one I have for my test lab: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817111479
Here's a 5 port version but I'd go with the 8 port, more bang for the buck: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817111480

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: kevnich2
Here's the one I have for my test lab: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817111479
Here's a 5 port version but I'd go with the 8 port, more bang for the buck: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817111480

:thumbsup:

48MB/sec. when TCP/IP Optimized between two Vista /XP Computers.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: AnnonUSA
Get a Netgear GS105NA good switch - Bulletproof...Use them all the time.

Is that the Netgear Gigabit 5-port desktop switch, in white/silver trim? That's about the only switch that I've owned that is failing, well, that and a Linksys 5-port 10/100 that apparently had compatibility problems.

My switch crashes, and needs to be power-cycled. (Yes, a switch. Not a router.)

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: kevnich2
Here's the one I have for my test lab: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817111479

That's the one that I'm using too. I bought eight of them, when they were $22 shipped apeice.

 

[Madwand1]

You might find yourself connecting a file server, blu-ray player, tv or radio, etc., to your network down the road, so getting a switch with more room for expansion could be a good idea.

Among the ones you listed, I'd probably go with the DGS-1005D, and bet that it doesn't have a fan (the versions I've seen never had; it'd be very unusual to include fan in such a small switch).

 

[Lightning983]

Thanx for all the replies, i only have 2 computers at home now, and don't plan on hooking up more than 2 more in the near future, so 5 is more than enough for me... I checked what the prices go for the 8 port models, and it's about 50% more expensive which is 74$ here (for the 8 port model) while the 5 port ones go for about 45$

I don't know where i read about the fan... i think it was some user review on some webshop?? I'm not sure, but it was pretty strange for me too, because i haven't really heard of hubs/switches having fans...

I'm probably getting the D-Link... 5 or 8 port version i'll see, they're the cheapest (especially the 8port model), and i guess their quality is OK also.

Just a question, i have a router or whatever its called (the ADSL box ) at home for my internet connection, so should i hook that up to the switch i buy or directly to my PC? because i do have 2 LAN's on my motherboard...

 

[Lightning983]

Oh i almost forgot to ask, can any switch work 24/7? i'll probably turn it off sometimes when i don't need it but i mainly need it to work all the time. I'm guessing that's not a problem but i have to ask to be sure

 

[kevnich2]

Just an FYI, the 8 port trendnet I posted is going for around $45 with free shipping. I've had it running 24/7 in my office for 16 months without a single power cycle. I've had 0 issues with it at all. I have another couple in a couple of different rooms and they all run the same. I would suggest 8 port over 5 port and my personal recommendation is definitely the trendnet switch. For a small thing like yours, you'll like having the ports in the back rather than the front.

 

[Lightning983]

I'm kind of limited to buying stuff in my own country (unfortunately no newegg...) so i tried finding the trendnet here, but i guess there are no dealers for it here, i can only get Trendnet's wireless products and nothing else.

I saw a good deal for the D-Link DGS-1008D, its 8 ports, and the cheapest one there is, for about 55$ here, so i probably can't go wrong with that right?

 

[kevnich2]

What country are you in? Buy.com, tigerdirect.com, etc should all have that switch.

 

[Madwand1]

Originally posted by: Lightning983
I saw a good deal for the D-Link DGS-1008D, its 8 ports, and the cheapest one there is, for about 55$ here, so i probably can't go wrong with that right?

That should be fine.

 

[Lightning983]

i'm in Croatia... i tried shipping from some web shops, but that ended up costing me much more because they either charged the shipping a lot or the customs added about 15% to the price + if i ever need to RMA it would be a pain, this way i just carry it back to the shop i bought it from

I'll go with the D-Link... is it realistic to expect about 40-50MB/sec when moving files between computers?
Also i asked before, these switches can run 24/7 ?

 

[JackMDS]

Lightning983, it make more sense in situation like yours to post what is availble locally and then ask for opinion.

I do not like the D-Link stuff, but Madwand1 knows is business.

So if D-Link is what is available to you, follow his advice.

As for running 24/7 it should not be a problem as long as the devices are not put into a small unventilated closet, or similar environment.

 

[kevnich2]

I have to say, I'm not a huge fan of dlink either. I can personally vouch for Trendnet though, that's why I recommended it. Any switch SHOULD do you ok.

 

[Lightning983]

It won't be overheating or anything + its going to be hooked up to a UPS so now power loss/spikes

Thanx for all the advice... i know i'm kind of limited with my options here
I'll get the D-Link before new year... i don't have high demands just that it works like its supposed to lol

 

[AnnonUSA]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

Originally posted by: AnnonUSA
Get a Netgear GS105NA good switch - Bulletproof...Use them all the time.

Is that the Netgear Gigabit 5-port desktop switch, in white/silver trim? That's about the only switch that I've owned that is failing, well, that and a Linksys 5-port 10/100 that apparently had compatibility problems.

My switch crashes, and needs to be power-cycled. (Yes, a switch. Not a router.)

No I do not use the Netgear Consumer stuff the (White/silver plastic case shit). It is the Better version Blue Metal case...I have never had one of these fail.

 

[kevnich2]

Originally posted by: AnnonUSA

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

Originally posted by: AnnonUSA
Get a Netgear GS105NA good switch - Bulletproof...Use them all the time.

Is that the Netgear Gigabit 5-port desktop switch, in white/silver trim? That's about the only switch that I've owned that is failing, well, that and a Linksys 5-port 10/100 that apparently had compatibility problems.

My switch crashes, and needs to be power-cycled. (Yes, a switch. Not a router.)

No I do not use the Netgear Consumer stuff the (White/silver plastic case shit). It is the Better version Blue Metal case...I have never had one of these fail.

Yeah Anon is talking about the business level netgear stuff (blue metal case) similar to Trendnet I think.

 

[mxnerd]

Originally posted by: JackMDS

Originally posted by: kevnich2
Here's the one I have for my test lab: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817111479
Here's a 5 port version but I'd go with the 8 port, more bang for the buck: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817111480

:thumbsup:

48MB/sec. when TCP/IP Optimized between two Vista /XP Computers.

Is this a good number? That's only 480M bps. IIRC, Intel gigabit NIC can hit 700Mbps in real world test.

 

[Lightning983]

Originally posted by: AnnonUSA
No I do not use the Netgear Consumer stuff the (White/silver plastic case shit). It is the Better version Blue Metal case...I have never had one of these fail.

Is that this one?? http://www.vemil.hr/opis.aspx?...Template=0&Sifra=50015

The page is in my language, but the basic picture and specs should be in english...
If it is it goes for the same price as D-Link so...

 

[AnnonUSA]

Originally posted by: Lightning983

Originally posted by: AnnonUSA
No I do not use the Netgear Consumer stuff the (White/silver plastic case shit). It is the Better version Blue Metal case...I have never had one of these fail.

Is that this one?? http://www.vemil.hr/opis.aspx?...Template=0&Sifra=50015

The page is in my language, but the basic picture and specs should be in english...
If it is it goes for the same price as D-Link so...

This is the one I use all the time....
http://www.netgear.com/Product...?detail=Specifications
...I have found these to be very good and it's hard to beat a lifetime warranty...

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: mxnerd48MB/sec. when TCP/IP Optimized between two Vista /XP Computers.

Is this a good number? That's only 480M bps. IIRC, Intel gigabit NIC can hit 700Mbps in real world test.

This is the best that you can get when using regular hardware and Client OS'.

The rating of Network Hardware is Not the functional Traffic that they generate but rather the Rate that the Hardware is working at.

It like the Horse Power of a Car engine, it is not a rate of the speed that car is capable to but just the pure power capacity of the Engine (and calling it Horse Power does not mean that there are Horses inside, or that it is really representing the power of a living Horse).