With its compact size, the Hawking HFS5T is an ideal solution for the Small Office/Home Office user and small to middle-sized workgroups. The mini switch is designed for easy... more
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Interfaces: 5 x network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45
Miscellaneous
Compliant Standards: Plug and Play, FCC Class B certified, CE, VCCI Class B ITE
Power
Power Device: Power adapter - external
Power Consumption Operational: 2.5 Watt
Manufacturer's product description
With its compact size, the Hawking HFS5T is an ideal solution for the Small Office/Home Office user and small to middle-sized workgroups. The mini switch is designed for easy installation, high performance, and seamless migration between 10BaseT and 100BaseTX network speeds. It includes (5) 10/100M auto-negotiation, auto-MDI/MDIX ports and provides a flexible, reliable, and affordable solution for an Ethernet network. Each port delivers up to 200Mbps throughput, which can give workstations a congestion-free data pipe for simultaneous access to the server. The switch can operate in either half or full-duplex modes, and store-and-forward architecture filters eliminate error packets and improve efficiency. In addition, it can be expanded by cascading two or more switches together. The Plug and Play HFS5T is powerful and reliable, and can run your high-end video, graphic, real-time gaming, multimedia, database, and mission-critical applications with ease!
Advantages: Cheap, reliable, simple to use Disadvantages: None.
...I liked this switch so much, I bought two of them.
Netgear have a reputation for cheap and reliable networking equipment, and this 5port unmanaged switch is no exception.
When I bought my two, they were retailing online for approx £35 each - but these days you should be able to get one for approx £25 (inc VAT.)
The switch is more or less the size of my hand (yes, I have big hands). With 5ports on the back - all are auto-sensing, as is the gigabit standard, so you don't have to worry about crossover cables if you're daisy-chaining switches... The only other port on the back is for power, which is the usual "wall-wart" plug in transformer you get with most home networking equipment.
Given the switch is unmanaged, you can just plug desktop computers, laptops, XBOXes, network printers straight into the switch, and not worry...
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Advantages: Easy installation, small, sturdy, quiet, auto uplink Disadvantages: Runs quite hot
...This is a 10/100/1000Mbps switch with 5 auto-sensing ports
Visual Description
A compact unit measuring 16cm x 10cm x 3cm (approx)
Housed in a very sturdy blue metal casing with venting slots on the side and back
Looks very professional
5 Front mounted UTP sockets
Rear mounted PSU socket (12 Volt, 1.2 Amp, Centre Positive) and Earth tag
LED indicators to display 10Mb, 100Mb, 1000Mb connection, Activity, Full Duplex, Collisions and Power
Installation
The GS105 switch comes supplied with manuals, 12 Volt (1.2Amp) PSU, ethernet cable, and the unit itself. Installation is very simple and requires no configuration as this is an un-managed switch. Simply connect your existing CAT5 cables from your PC to the switch, it will detect the connection speed and cable type. No need to worry about using cross-over cables or straight through...
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Advantages: Advantages: Cheap, all in one solution Disadvantages: No manual overide or audio support
...stops autoscanning and lets you use the currently selected PC.
The Belkin claims support for scrolling mice but I did find sometimes one PC would start up without recognising this facility if it wasn't the currently selected one when booting up and in extreme cases, wouldn't recognise the keyboard and mouse at all. Previous KVM's I've used send the PC fake 'There's a keyboard and mouse here' messages when not selected and it seems this unit does not, which is a pity.
Conclusion
The Belkin 2 port KVM is a well built unit that works nicely and provides a great way to save desk space and the cost of a second monitor, keyboard and mouse. The long leads are useful and despite the niggles with scrolling mice and the lack of manual switch. I'd say this unit is worth considering at this price if you can live with those shortcomings...
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20.08.2007
21.03.2007
