Gigabit switch recommendation needed

[Harrison]

I'm looking to buy a new Gigabit switch for my network and need some recommendations.

I'm upgrading from a 5 port switch and am looking for an 8 port one. Ideally I want it to be autosensing and support auto detection and configuration of cables plugged in.

So far I've been most interested in the Netgear Gigabit switches. The GS608 and GS108. The price difference isn't much between them. I've read that the GS608, using a similar case to their routers, can get quite hot, and people had had some issues due to this, and the GS108 is more robust in its more traditional Netgear metal casing, and stays completely cool, but many people seem to be reporting on various sites that they seem to have high failure rates when they are over a year old.

Does anyone here own either of these? and what is your view on them?

Ideally I would like one that also has status lights, which is something the GS608 doesn't have, other than lighting up orange or green to indicate connection speed. My existing Linksys switch has the traditional 3 light system per port to show connection status and if data is actually moving through that port (very useful).

Any other 8 port gigabit switches you can recommend? I love Linksys products but haven't been able to find any Switches by them being sold anywhere...

 

[User1301]

Hi Harrison, is this for home / office network LAN only please (i.e you aren't trying to link up two offices over a LAN extension)?

John

 

[Harrison]

Yes, just for home/office use. Gigabit speed is needed to transfer video between PCs quickly when editing and rendering.

I'm currently leaning towards the Netgear switches, but can't decide between the 2. I'm a bit worried about the heat issues a lot of people are mentioning in reviews.

I've also found some Linksys/Cisco switch reviews and they don't seem very reliable with worse overheating than the Netgears. Annoying as my existing old 5 port switch has been happily sitting under my desk for years working without a single issue ever.

 

[merlinkv]

@Harrison

What about D-Link?

I have one router & three switchs installed (one managed 24 ports, two unmanaged 8 ports) with autosensing 10/100/1000 in all network.

Is a little home LAN but I have alot of peripheals (PC's, Consoles, TV's, DNS Servers, ....) working at the same time with a very good performance on games, video, audio........

In two years (maybe more) I haven't overheat problems

If you want, I post here the links.

Best wishes

 

[User1301]

In that case - the Netgear 608 is fine. My mate has this in his office and it has been solid. No heat problems. I also have 2x of the 5 port ones and they are great. Yes they get a little hot but nothing to worry about.

Cheers

John

 

[korruptor]

I've got two 8 port Netgear hubs, never had a problem with them in 3 years solid use.

In fact, I've pretty much always used Netgear hubs & switches, fwiw.

 

[Harrison]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I hadn't looked closely at the D-Link products mostly because in the past I've dismissed their build quality... I might take another look.

Is Belkin any good? I've noticed their gigabit switches seem very good prices.

I will probably go for the Netgear 608 though as it will suit my needs well.

 

[Harrison]

I little update. I was all set on buying the Netgear GS608, but during a final search for the best prices I stumbled across something better.

A ZyXEL GS108B 8 port Gigabit Switch.

From digging about online a lot of comments were saying it is better then the Netgear switches and more reliable. These don't get hot like the Netgear switches, and they have a more robust aluminium metal casing, which can be wall fixed if needed. It's also cheaper! I found one for just £30.

People in the networking industry have also been commenting that a lot of Netgear swiches have failed recently, and they have been replacing them with these ZyXEL units. And funnily enough they were also commenting that those Netgear switches were themselves replaced Linksys switches which don't need at all reliable these days.

Years ago I only bought Linksys networking equipment, but they seem to have gone from a trusted and very reliable maker to one less reliable that the other main competitors. Such a shame when a brand goes down hill.