Need switch advice for On-Q home panel

[djlenoir]

I just recently moved into a new home that was wired with Cat-5e to 9 rooms in the house. Unfortunately, they did not run a wire to the main living area or the game room, which means I am not getting away from wireless for those entertainment centers. I already purchased two ASUS RT-AC66u wireless routers to handle upstairs and downstairs. My question is how to connect the mess of wires in the On-Q panel.

Should I go managed or un-managed?

What are the top switches in either category that you would recommend?

I need at least a 10 port switch, but have been leaning towards a 16 port or greater.


EDIT: Here are a couple of switches that I have been looking at for the sake of conversation.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833150090

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704064

 

[JoeMcJoe]

I use these, internal silent power supply, comes with rack mount parts.

Unmanaged, for a home doesn't need to be complicated.

16 port
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833181152

24 port
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833181153

 

[djlenoir]

First, thanks for the response Joe.

I have never used a ZyXEL product before so there is a bit of an uncertainty factor for me, but the fantastic price until the 19th at $80 for the 24 port puts it below the cost of most of the 16 port unmanaged competitors.

I have compiled a list of switches. Is there any compelling reason to choose one over another besides price? I guess I am looking for someone to say that one supports some feature that the others don't that make them the best choice. As far as I can tell they all are fanless, support auto MDI/MDI-X, have at least 32Gbps throughput, all support GREEN technology, and support at least 9k jumbo frames.

I know that one of them is managed, but my question is more geared towards the unmanaged options.

Unmanaged
$120 - NETGEAR 16 Port Gigabit (GS116)
$99 - D-Link 16 Port Gigabit (DGS-1016A)
$75 - TRENDnet 16 Port Gigabit (TEG-S16DG)
$65 - ZyXEL 16 Port Gigabit (GS1100-16)
$85 - TP-LINK 16 Port Gigabit (TL-SG1016D)
$80 - ZyXEL 24 Port Gigabit (GS1100-24)

Managed
$358 - Cisco 20 Port Gigabit (SG300-20)

 

[JoeMcJoe]

I've had Zyxel switches for quite a while, I use the 16 port ones I linked to above, plus I use other ones for POE to supply power over ethernet to cameras.

The TP-Link one listed there looks pretty good too. Never used it.

I'd stay away from the switches that use one of those external power bricks. If something is going to fail, it is the power brick. Like that Netgear your linked to.
I think Netgear's warranty usually has a reduced time for the power brick, even in the 'lifetime' warranty coverage.
I have used managed Netgear switches, but I found the firmware buggy.