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 ...
Advantages: Easy installation, small, sturdy, quiet, auto uplink Disadvantages: Runs quite hot
This is a 10/100/1000Mbpsswitch 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 ...
Advantages: Performace at an excellent price Disadvantages: 4 ports may not be enough
to that one port only. To add to this, Switches can support "Full-Duplex" networking, which means sending and receiving data at the same time, effectively doubling your network speed under the right conditions.
>>> So what?
So, that's immensely more efficient, and particularly in a high-traffic environment (even online games played no a LAN qualify here) it can have a perceptible positive impact on performance.
>>> What's the FS-105 then?
This is how you get this wonderful technology into your home! This £69 beauty is half the cost of its competition, will auto-detect 10 and 100Mb/s connections and has 5ports, one of which can be used as an uplink. Even a good hub will cost £50, and for the larger office, the FS-108 (8 port) version can be bought for only £88 (if you can find one in stock anywhere!) ...
Product Information for "Sweex 5 Port Switch 10/100 Mbps - switch - 5 ports" »
Manufacturer's product description
Do you want multiple computers to communicate in a network? Then a switch is the perfect device. This switch enables you to quickly create a network to which you can connect multiple computers. This switch is perfectly suitable to use in combination with both 10Mbps and 100 Mbps network cards. Each switch network port has been fitted with a short-circuit protection. Furthermore, each port can be used as an uplink, meaning that you can easily connect other hubs or switches to create an even bigger network.
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