Failure rates among consumer grade networking hardware

[TechnoPro]

I'm wondering what the lifesplan is for consumer grade networking hardware from the supposed reputable brands (Linksys, Netgear, D-Link, etc.). One of those palm size switches was at the root cause of a network problem, but it was the last place I looked for trouble. Mind you, about everything else that was done in that office was done wrong from a networking standpoint.

What would be an acceptable lifesplan for this consumer grade equipment? When I asked the manager about this switch, she told me that it was there since "the beggining", hinting at its age. I nodded my head like "sure, it's old...makes sense". But then I wondered, do low-end devices like that really fail after just a few years... If so, then these companies that make them must be doing fairly well.

 

[mboy]

I don't know, but I had 2 SMC 5 port switches die within the 1st year. Pieces of junk. I have had good luck with my gigafast 8 ports and just ordered 3 more today.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: TechnoPro
I'm wondering what the lifesplan is for consumer grade networking hardware from the supposed reputable brands (Linksys, Netgear, D-Link, etc.). One of those palm size switches was at the root cause of a network problem, but it was the last place I looked for trouble. Mind you, about everything else that was done in that office was done wrong from a networking standpoint.

What would be an acceptable lifesplan for this consumer grade equipment? When I asked the manager about this switch, she told me that it was there since "the beggining", hinting at its age. I nodded my head like "sure, it's old...makes sense". But then I wondered, do low-end devices like that really fail after just a few years... If so, then these companies that make them must be doing fairly well.

Generally for Consumer grade parts the acceptable MTBF (Mean Time Before Failure) listed is 5 years although of course fully expect to see more than that. Much of it depends on quality design no matter how cheap the product. For example if you just put the capacitor value that just barely squeaks by for successful operation or one cap where two would be better to keep cost as low as possible at the expense of reliability and longevity. Or put a better part or multiples in to help keep failures down and your customer base happy.

I always tried for the best "balance" as possible when putting the BOM (Bill Of Materials) in a design between keeping cost down and reliabilty as high as possible within a reasonable means. I was getting increased pressure thuough to no longer consider long term reliabilty and make the designs as cheap as possible. I don't believe screwing people over and purposely having a throw away Society in the name of greed.

 

[skyking]

Originally posted by: mboy
I don't know, but I had 2 SMC 5 port switches die within the 1st year. Pieces of junk. I have had good luck with my gigafast 8 ports and just ordered 3 more today.

I also have one of those gigafasts at an office that is still working <crosses fingers>

 

[spidey07]

alot of it is environment as well.

humid, dusty, hot places make network gear angry.

 

[TechnoPro]

Originally posted by: spidey07
alot of it is environment as well.

humid, dusty, hot places make network gear angry.

I wish I had a digital camera... Why? So I could show you guys the wiring tangle that was dumped up into the ceiling. Yes, the ceiling. I can understand running wires in the ceiling, but DSL modem, router, and switches too?

Definitely dusty and hot up there... But, since the guy that runs the place isn't "into that fancy networking stuff", my options are limited.

 

[JackMDS]

Up to about three years ago I never experienced failure of Network Related hardware. Some pieces were retired because of change in Technology but they were still working.

Three years ago with the vast proliferation of the usage of Entry Level Hardware (Aka we do not believe in Quality Assurance Brands). I.e. Routers. NICs. Switches etc. The picture some what changed. I used variety of Hardware from all of the Major Entry Level Brands (Linksys, SMC, Netgear, D-Link, Siemans, Gigafast, and more).

Functioning vise it is a travesty. A lot of hardware is not capable to do what the Marketing people claimed in their Ads. Manuals are consumer nightmare, and support is almost non-existence. Top it with the constant need to watch for Firmware and Drivers.

Mechanic ? Electronic wise my experience shows that if the ?Gizmo? works when you first get it (I.e. No need for RMA) it keeps working. Beside few NICs I did not have any Mechanic ? Electronic Difficulties with other Hardware in the past three years.

To my assessment a major part of the complains appearing on BBSs like this one is due to false exceptions and Network Ignorance of the users.

 

[TechnoPro]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Up to about three years ago I never experienced failure of Network Related hardware. Some pieces were retired because of change in Technology but they were still working.

Three years ago with the vast proliferation of the usage of Entry Level Hardware (Aka we do not believe in Quality Assurance Brands). I.e. Routers. NICs. Switches etc. The picture some what changed. I used variety of Hardware from all of the Major Entry Level Brands (Linksys, SMC, Netgear, D-Link, Siemans, Gigafast, and more).

Functioning vise it is a travesty. A lot of hardware is not capable to do what the Marketing people claimed in their Ads. Manuals are consumer nightmare, and support is almost non-existence. Top it with the constant need to watch for Firmware and Drivers.

Mechanic ? Electronic wise my experience shows that if the ?Gizmo? works when you first get it (I.e. No need for RMA) it keeps working. Beside few NICs I did not have any Mechanic ? Electronic Difficulties with other Hardware in the past three years.

To my assessment a major part of the complains appearing on BBSs like this one is due to false exceptions and Network Ignorance of the users.

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said " (Aka we do not believe in Quality Assurance Brands).". You did, however, neglect the economic implication. It should read "We do not believe in Quality Assurance because if we did, our product would cost more and you, consumer, would not buy it."

A succesful client of mine, in business for half a century, recently told me "Cheap is expensive."

 

[JackMDS]

When Galileo claimed that the Earth is not Flat they could let go of the Myth.

"Cheap is expensive." One of the Myth that is not necessarily true any more.

Robotic manufacturing and Global Economy changed the meaning of Cheap.

Big part of the reason that they Rush without Assurance is us the consumers. We want the New Technology as of Yesterday and Would Dump it Tomorrow. As a result the manufactures frantically scrambles, since they are afraid to miss the wagon.

We could not wait for the Wireless, so we got. Pre Pre Pre Draft Pre 802.11xyz Wireless.