Gigabit Switch Suggestions

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9 Apr 2008
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Hampshire / Dorset BH24
Hi all,

I have just completed a build of a new home office / log cabin. I have installed CAT5e in trunking and am looking for a gigabit ethernet switch to connect it all up. I have 8x outlets in trunking in total.

I also want to connect the house via an uplink and possibly serve 4-6 CAT sockets. However, I suspect the PS3 / Squeezebox will be fine on the existing Homeplugs, but PC's should be GBE connected back to the NAS in the office. The distance between the house and office is no more than 30 metres, so shouldn't be a problem. I can run 1 or 2x extra CAT5e links as uplinks if there's benefit in doing this.

I really liked the Dell 2716 switch as it supports jumbo frames, offers the right level of connectivity, but most importanty - had no fans! I didn't like the cost though. They offered an 8 port switch (for the house), but lost the jumbo frames support.

Are there any switches that people could recommend that would deliver upto 16 ports in the office and up to 8 in the house, allowing for uplinks between the two switches?

I'm not after a managed switch (I don't think!), just something to connect it all up. All firewalling will be done at the server level (assuming I can learn about it and configure Windows Firewall).

Can the Netgear http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-102-NG be linked in tandem?

I'm happy to go down a 19" rack mount option if need be, but a silent running switch is important as it will be in an office environment.

Cheers
Pete
 
Cheers! Thanks for the prompt response.

It looks rack mountable too - do you know if the mounting brackets come with this unit?
 
Be careful with Netgear support for jumbo frames, with most of their switches only later revisions which you can't ID by model number support them and only at certain sizes.

The GS116 isn't rackmountable, you need the enxt range up for that.
 
Well the GS116 is listed as having jumbo support on their website so it should have if you buy a new one today.

If not, return under distance selling rules.
 
I've got one of those 16 port Netgears and it does seem to support Jumbo Frames indeed.

However, for only ~£20 more I was able to pick up a 48port Netgear gigabit fully managed switch. Admittedly, that was one of the luckiest ebay auctions I've ever had but it illustrates what kind of deals you can get if you shop around.
 
Wow - that was a result. I need a matched pair though really to avoid any potential frame size / integration issues between the house and office.

I'll check out fleabay.
 
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