Network Switch question

gasdoctor · 9 Mar 2011 at 10:12

Hi,

Ive just moved my router (DG834N on its last legs but hasn't died completely ..yet) into another room away from my main PC and printer(Had to move a phone socket to allow sky multiroom). Previously these were hard wired to the router. Ive run a cat5e cable back to the PC.

Instead of running another cable to the printer, can I put a switch and then run a patch cable from the switch to each device? I also want to at some point attach a NAS device.

I think this is OK but want a)just check and b) can someone recommend a good switch (probably gigabit).

Thanks

MeddlE · 9 Mar 2011 at 10:48

a] Yes you can.

b] Cisco, Linksys, HP Procurve.

Whatever you do don't buy Netgear.

pepp77 · 9 Mar 2011 at 10:51

If its just for home use I would just get the TP-Link TL-SG1005D Gigabit switch you can buy for about £15 as it works perfectly (I am using one at home myself).

This one - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-011-TP (Also available in black).

Yamahahahahaha · 9 Mar 2011 at 11:08

MeddlE said:
b] Cisco, Linksys, HP Procurve.

Whatever you do don't buy Netgear.

While we can all agree the consumer Procurve stuff is nice, I've had masses of headaches with the budget 'Cisco' / Linksys kit.

Netgear and D-link are fine for the basic stuff.

brendan · 9 Mar 2011 at 11:15

I've had lots of problems with the Linksys stuff too. Usually the transformer lets go. D-link i don't trust either, i've not had much netgear stuff but it seems to have held so far.

Netgear do prosumer models with metal enclosures and better transformers, if you are a little more serious and need more ports I think they are good value for money.

MeddlE · 9 Mar 2011 at 12:08

Whereas I've had lots of problems with Netgear stuff, it was always a joy when they died and I could replace them with a Procurve.

I've just got a Cisco SD2005-G3 to replace a failed Netgear GS105 (I know, but I got it cheap from the MM) that was flooding the network with garbage. When I researched the Netgear to see if it was fixable I found loads of posts with the same problem. Always just outside the warranty period, not that it counted for mine as it was 2nd hand.

gasdoctor · 9 Mar 2011 at 14:51

Cheers gonna give the TP one a go, as its only for light use.

a1ex2001 · 10 Mar 2011 at 11:37

pepp77 said:
If its just for home use I would just get the TP-Link TL-SG1005D Gigabit switch you can buy for about £15 as it works perfectly (I am using one at home myself).

This one - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-011-TP (Also available in black).

I'd second that, too many people here are quick to recomend expensive kit when the average home user will see little to no benefit from it.

Awahwah · 10 Mar 2011 at 21:10

The only experience I've had with Procurve's are via work and on Storage devices. They don't trunk at all well with Cisco kit using dot1q. HP say they use a different veriant of an Industry Standard trunking protocol - wow!.
Took ages for a new firmware to be released and all that time we had 200k's worth of storage doing nothing.

Their consumer products maybe different, but with my experience of their l2 devices, I'd steer clear.

mrk · 10 Mar 2011 at 22:48

Yamahahahahaha said:
While we can all agree the consumer Procurve stuff is nice, I've had masses of headaches with the budget 'Cisco' / Linksys kit.

Netgear and D-link are fine for the basic stuff.

I have a Netgear GS108 and it's perfectly fast and stable with 4 Gigabit devices connected to it.

Don't see what people are going on about when they say not to get a Netgear switch....get the right model and it's fine for the majority of jobs.

Orford · 11 Mar 2011 at 12:07

Got a netgear GS605 with a PC, Printer, NAS and PS3 plugged in, then to the VM home hub. No issues with the switch what so ever I`ll leave the HUB out for a change.. Only £21.50 with the wifes staff discount looks nice too. Oh Best Buy btw.