USRobotics 8-Port Gigabit Switch - switch - 8 ports

Advantages: Sleek, small, easy to use
Disadvantages: Not wall mountable

...This switch has been a great addition to my network. It allows for fast transfer sppeds and i have been using for over 3 months now with no problems. Unluckily it is not wall mountable which would have been useful, but it comes with some legs which can be used to stand it on its side. The lights on the front are very useful for indicating whether the connected device is operating at 100 Mbps or 1 Gbps. The device gets slightly warm, but no more than other electronic devices. Overall i am very pleased with this switch, it was very easy to set up; I just plugged it in and it worked. The included intructions are also very clear, with clear illustrations. I have quite a few Netgear items in my network along with some other brands and i always find i can rely on the Netgear equipment. Overall a very solid piece of equipment.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

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 5 port 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 5 ports 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... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: small compact size, metallic body, passive cooling=no noise
Disadvantages: gets a bit hot during summer

...using Windows 98/2k/xp over samba, which unfortunately only 50-60% efficient. Transfering files over FTP is gonna be miles faster than samba (windows file and print sharing) They are all auto MDI-X on every port, so it doesn't really matter if you';re using a cross over cable or not, as the switch will sort it out The LEDS on the ports indicate 1000mb or 100mb and the status LEDS on the panel indicate 10mb connection and blinking = activity. It's silent, as it's all passivly cooled, unlike 3com switches/hubs, which is good when you have these in the bedroom! It's solidly built and i really can't fault it, and I feel it's worth the money as most other switches are all plasticy and cheap looking/feeling. 1gb transfer over samba takes around 3-4 minutes... which is fast - as you'd expect for gig ethernet.... and ftp transfers are... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful