NETGEAR 8 Port Gigabit Network Switch (GS108) - Ethernet Switch - Ethernet Splitter - Plug-and-Play - Silent Operation - Desktop or Wall Mount

Product Information

But what if you want more than four Ethernet ports? If that's the case, you need to use a network switch---a small box that adds Ethernet ports to your router. It's basically the networking equivalent of a power strip. The overall speed of each switch was also one of the most critical factors; every switch on our list features up to 100Mbps transfer speeds, with most selections able to attain even faster gigabit speeds — perfect for busy networks. Lastly, we provided options with power over ethernet (PoE) functionality so that you can easily supply power to supported devices on your network without the need for a power cable. Best Ethernet Switch Buyer’s Guide Features It is much cheaper than managed switches and smart managed switches, suitable for families and small businesses with limited budgets. TP-Link offers some killer networking equipment and this five-port managed switch is ideal for a small office setup or in the home for connecting gaming hardware and media servers. The small unit houses some serious features usually found in more expensive switches like diagnostics, QoS, and more despite the budget price. Unmanaged Ethernet Switches The average internet user relies almost entirely on Wi-Fi. All of their devices, including computers and TVs, access the internet wirelessly. And this arrangement is usually just fine. Wireless connectivity is faster and more reliable than ever before.

Gamers know the critical importance of fast networking hardware; if your ping is too high, you can experience delays that will cost you, potentially at the expense of a victory. NETGEAR steps in with the ultimate solution, a gaming switch that it calls the Nighthawk S8000. Named after an agile predator, the NS8000 also moves fast, offering 99% lower latency than most standard switches. If you’re looking to give your gaming a competitive edge, consider the best gaming mouse pad too. Why you can trust Windows Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test. If you’re looking for an alternative networking option, then NETGEAR might have what you are looking for with its Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch range. All switches feature a silent, fanless design, making them great for noise-sensitive environments. They can fit in most areas as well, thanks to their versatile mounting options — place them on a desk surface or mount them directly to the wall. This is definitely among the best network switch’s that we have tried. This switch has five-gigabit ports, so you can connect multiple devices.Unmanaged switches - They are the most commonly used switches in home and small business networks. They are less expensive, but they can’t be modified or managed. However, this can be a huge plus as most homeowners love simplicity. You can just plug them in, connect your devices, and forget they exist. Cost: For some users, cost is a significant choice driver. Unmanaged switches are cheap, as well as very simple to run. Managed switches, with all their additional capabilities, cost more than unmanaged switches. They also require more expertise to provision and manage, meaning added costs for staff with the skills to maintain the network Its smart features do shine through for streamers and gamers, with gaming, streaming, and uplink taking up the first three ports by default. The link aggregation feature is also very cool, allowing two ethernet ports to be linked to provide double the bandwidth. Whilst this takes up ports fast, it’s perfect for small gaming/streaming households. When it comes to ports, we ensured that even the smallest switch in our roundup could give you an additional five ports; however, we also included switches that can accommodate up to a jaw-dropping forty-eight devices so that you can find the best option for your network. The mounting style was also a consideration as all options can be used neatly on a desk, with our top selections also featuring wall-mounting options for more flexibility. If you’ve read all of the points above and you’re still not certain whether an unmanaged network is enough to meet your needs or if you have crossed the line where a managed switch is necessary, you need an expert. At Field Engineer, it’s easy to tap into an international network of IT experts, including network technicians, which can make sure that you’re choosing not just the right network switch, but that you’re creating a network that’s secure, efficient, and has all the features that you need.

Switches come in various sizes that allow them to have any number of ports up to 52, but the differences go deeper than that when it comes to managed switches and unmanaged switches. Here, we’re going to define the two types, look at the differences between them, and help you decide which is right for you. The Differences Between Managed and Unmanaged Network Switches

Unmanaged Switch : Normally the cheapest option used to simply connect all Ethernet-based devices into one router. This is normally the best solution for someone not interested in managing their network traffic.

Your home router only comes with so many ethernet ports, so NETGEAR’s Gigabit Ethernet Desktop Switch stands in as an excellent option to expand that capacity. This small and compact switch can fit in neatly with your home’s other computer gear; unlike other options, this one doesn’t stand out as a bulky metal box. Additionally, it is easy to use thanks to its plug-and-play operation that doesn’t require the use of an external computer. Smart Switch: Sitting somewhere between a beginner and managed gigabit switch, the smart switch provides set, easy-to-understand guidelines that allows it to self-manage traffic. A: Both Ethernet hubs and switches are networking devices designed to connect multiple computers to a network. Typically though, a switch is used to connect the various network segments, such as PCs, gaming consoles, etc., whereas hubs are usually used to connect multiple Ethernet devices together and make them act as a single segment. Due to this difference, switches are capable of performing better than a hub, by selectively forwarding data to the network segments that actually need it.

Sources:

A switch is a better option for home networks, especially if you use applications that generate high amounts of traffic, such as heavy audio file-sharing or playing multiplayer games. With this in mind, all you have to do is choose the best Ethernet switch for your home network. Sources: Simplicity: Unmanaged switches are incredibly straightforward to set up and use, making them ideal for beginners or small network deployments. Determine the number of devices you need to connect to the switch. Choose a switch with sufficient port count to accommodate your network requirements. A network switch is also necessary when installing a whole-home wired Ethernet system. Typically, you'll place the switch in a recessed media enclosure and run Ethernet cables through your walls from there. Managed switches let users adjust each port on the switch to any setting, enabling them to manage, configure and monitor the network in many ways. They also provide greater control over how data travels over the network and who can access that data.