[ale] Semi-OT, inexpensive(ish) gigabit switches

[Jeremy T. Bouse]

On 7/21/2016 11:38 AM, DJ-Pfulio wrote:
> On 07/21/2016 10:27 AM, Ken Cochran wrote:
>> Hi folks, any wisdom/info/RTFM about suitable/recommended
>> "extensions" to the typically only 4 Ethernet ports on home
>> routers nowadays?  Would need gigabit of course.  Do the
>> "rules of ethernet" still apply nowadays (e.g. the 5-4-3 rule)?
>> I'm thinking a gigabit switch, say, 5 or 8 ports.  Managed or
>> unmanaged?  Any makes/models to look for or avoid?  Or are they
>> all so similar inside that it just doesn't matter anymore?
>> Thanks, -kc
> Have a few 8-port GigE unmanaged switches. Burned out a netgear and
> d-link over the years. Have 2 metal-case Trendnets ($18 from newegg on
> deals) which have been going for 5+ yrs now. Metal helps with heat
> dissipation. They make a plastic case variant, so be certain to get the
> metal one.
I'm actually going to be looking for a GigE managed switch at some point
myself. I've currently got a Cisco Catalyst 2950 series 10/100 24-port
switch but aside from my Cisco ASA ever device on my network has a GigE
NIC. My issue is being able to support 802.1q VLAN and 802.3ad Link
Aggregation. I have multiple ports configured in LACP channels for my 2
NAS devices as well as for my ESXi server.

So for me "inexpensive(ish)" is probably going to be a bit more than
most. I'm going to try and get away from paying for another Cisco switch
to save money but I'm still looking in the $400 range for 24 ports and
that's going with EnGenius. Going for less ports and not needing it to
be managed there are a lot more cheaper options out there. These days a
simple smart/unmanaged 5-8 port can be found for as cheap as $20. It is
all going to depend on the number of ports and what features besides
just GigE you're looking for.

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