Need Help finding a Switch

[Caveman]

Below is my switch that had a port fried last week by lightening... It's done it's job fine for the past 2 years...

I've got 11 CAT6 drops of network wire in my house driven by a Comcast Modem and a Buffalo G router.

SMC 8 Port Switch

I have no idea if this is a good switch or a bad switch etc... I'd assume a switch is a switch is a switch... But maybe not?

I need to get another... A 12 port switch would be better for my application... Any recommendations?

 

[drebo]

For home networking, you're generally OK with finding the cheapest solution unless you need a specific feature that's only available on higher-end switches.

 

[Rifter]

I prefer the Netgear Prosafe line, they are made of metal so they can take some abuse, they stay cool, are wall mountable, and i have been using them for over 10 years and never had one die on me. They are offered in 5,8,16,24,48 port models. They support jumbo frames as well which is a plus when moving large files on your network. I just picked up a gigabit 8 port model a few weeks ago to replace my 12 year old 5 port 10/100. It might be cheaper for you to use 2 8 ports linked together than a single 12 or 16 port switch if cost is an issue.

 

[kevnich2]

Originally posted by: Rifterut
I prefer the Netgear Prosafe line, they are made of metal so they can take some abuse, they stay cool, are wall mountable, and i have been using them for over 10 years and never had one die on me. They are offered in 5,8,16,24,48 port models. They support jumbo frames as well which is a plus when moving large files on your network. I just picked up a gigabit 8 port model a few weeks ago to replace my 12 year old 5 port 10/100. It might be cheaper for you to use 2 8 ports linked together than a single 12 or 16 port switch if cost is an issue.

Just out of curiousity, how much experience have you had with the 8 & 12 port Netgear GigE prosafe line? I was looking at these and some of the reviews aren't so good, saying they frequently die within the first year and was wondering on your experience with these?

 

[JackMDS]

Caveman the SMC are good switches.

Since you already spending more than $20 you might also consider getting a Giga capable switch.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817111479

 

[heymrdj]

Another plug for the ProSafe. Our computer club bought a 24 port gigabit model for our lan parties, and it is one WONDERFUL switch.

 

[Caveman]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Caveman the SMC are good switches.

Since you already spending more than $20 you might also consider getting a Giga capable switch.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817111479

Just curious... Will I notice a difference vs a 10/100? I'd assume a system is only as good as the weakest link. When I had the house wired 2 years ago, I knew enought to use CAT-6 rated wire. But... I did not know how else to future proof...

Oh... And are jumbo frames a big deal, or a luxury that can be lived without?

Thanks all for comments. Very helpful.

 

[kevnich2]

Originally posted by: Caveman

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Caveman the SMC are good switches.

Since you already spending more than $20 you might also consider getting a Giga capable switch.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817111479

Just curious... Will I notice a difference vs a 10/100? I'd assume a system is only as good as the weakest link. When I had the house wired 2 years ago, I knew enought to use CAT-6 rated wire. But... I did not know how else to future proof...

Oh... And are jumbo frames a big deal, or a luxury that can be lived without?

Thanks all for comments. Very helpful.

jumbo frames aren't a big deal, IMO and can be lived without. However, GigE vs 10/100, you will notice a difference there but it also depends on what you use your PC's for. If just web browsing and the internet, then no. But myself, I do a lot of LAN file transfers so I definitely notice 10/100 vs 1000

 

[Rifter]

kevnich2

I have only owned the Gige 8 port for a few weeks, however a buddy of mine bought one a few years ago and its still running strong, we use it for lan partys monthly so it gets moved around alot and still works fine, its even been stepped on a few times.

As far a jumbo frames go i see no reason not to get a switch that supports them as they are usually not much if at all more expensive than a non jumbo frame switch, i agree the differnce is not much but its still faster and as HDD's get faster i think it will make more of a differnce so you might as well get it.

 

[JackMDS]

As kevnich2 said on a peer-to-peer home Network Jumbo frame is close to meaningless.

You can find similar switch with Jumbo frames at an additional cost.

Giga switch would not provide more Speed with 100MB/sec. but if some of your computers has Giga NIC you would see significant difference.

Buying a Giga switch is also one of the very few real future proof scenarios.