Need a Gigabit switch

[burgers]

I am experiencing weak signal in my new PC (in the sig) which has a Edimax EW-7728ln PCI card in it. I think this is mainly due to the the router that came free from my ISP being crap (reception was perfect back home).

I'm reluctant to upgrade the router with certified N routers around the corner so have decided to run some cable upstairs instead. I will therefore need a switch to connect my laptop and PS3 as well.

I have been looking at the gigabyte switch's as they seem worth the extra cost but apart from that I'm not to sure. Does one differ from the other like wireless routers?

I have been looking at these which are in my price range:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/184892 :ZyXEL Dimension 5-port Gigabit Unmanaged Desktop Switch
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/64190 :Netgear GS605 5-port Gigabit Switch

And I could possibly stretch to these if it was worth the additional cost:
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/126574 :Belkin 5 Port Gigabit Switch
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/200519 :Cisco 5-Port 10/100/1000 Gigabit Switch UK
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/51797 -Link DGS-1005D Green Ethernet Gigabit Switch

Thanks for any help/advice

 

[JackMDS]

This is currently the best value of Entry level Giga Switch.

TrendNet Giga Switch -

8 Ports - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156251

5 Ports - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156250

 

[burgers]

Thanks JackMDS, just what I wanted. Now to try to find one in the UK that isn't double the US price.

 

[burgers]

After looking at prices for the TrendNet Giga Switch in the UK it's not as cheap as it is in the USA, more like $60 instead of $30. I'm happy to pay this if it is still my best option, but after looking around I can get the following switches for the same price:

Netgear pro safe giga switch : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833122128

Cisco Small business giga switch (although seems to have alot of bad reviews) : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833124025

Asus GigaX1105N (I can get the N, not sure if this link is for N or B, nor do I know the difference) : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833320052

Is the TrendNet still the best, or is one of the others a better choice?

Thanks again for your help
burgers

 

[pcgeek11]

I have this:
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/64190 :Netgear GS605 5-port Gigabit Switch

Works great IMO

 

[ccbadd]

Watch out for the Cisco Small Business switch. I have had to get two replaced due to the use of cheap capacitors rupturing. I usually use the same ones that Jack linked to, but only because the are cheap and I have had no problem with them. I would go with the Netgear GS605 as it is cheap, has a two year warranty, and supports jumbo frames.

 

[narzy]

I have the HP J9077A 10/100/1000Mbps ProCurve Switch

It has been a champ, its been in place for a couple of years and I haven't had to touch it since I installed it in my network. I don't know your budget but it comes with a lifetime warranty, you have a problem you send it back and get a new one. I'd say its worth the extra bucks.

If you're looking for Wireless N then I'd take a good look at the Linksys WRT160n I installed one and its been running for months with DD-WRT and again haven't had to touch it. My only gripe is that it is not 10/100/1000 (which makes no damn sense to me as 802.11n is 300mbps) So its bottlenecked on the wired network. Not sure what Linksys was smoking when they did that. Another small gripe I have is that there are no external antenna so I can't boost my signal from the router I have to do it on the client if I can and laptops don't have external antenna either. Seems to be a common occourance with N access points these days :|

I've also had really good luck with ASUS routers but I haven't taken a look at them in a while to see what is currently offered.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I have this:
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/64190 :Netgear GS605 5-port Gigabit Switch

Works great IMO

I would avoid these. They fail way too often. Had trouble with one of them myself.

The TrendNet switches that Jack suggested are rock-solid. Make sure to get the ones with the metal case.

 

[burgers]

Hi guys,
Thanks for all your advice, I really appreciate it. I think I am going to go with the TrendNet 5 port switch.
And thanks for the wireless N info narzy, its next on my wish list to upgrade once I get back home and running cable isn't an option.

Thanks again