Switch died, do I upgrade my router?

Gazanimal · 13 Oct 2011 at 23:58

Ok, had my internet go down tonight & to compound the issue, my Tenga Gigabit switch decided to die, or rather the ports stop working. :mad:

Anyway, I'm at a bit of a crossroads.

I use the switch so that everything on the home side of the Router (Netgear DGN2000) is running a gigabit speeds, but with the switch dying I've had to use the router as a switch too but non0-gigabit.

So, should I upgrade my ADSL router to include a gigabit switch & sell the DGN2000 or keep the said router & buy another gigabit switch?

Options of reliability & price

bremen1874 · 14 Oct 2011 at 01:43

Replace the switch, they're so cheap nowadays they can be treated as a disposable item.

Deception · 14 Oct 2011 at 08:05

bremen1874 said:
Replace the switch, they're so cheap nowadays they can be treated as a disposable item.

+1 to this, just a pity the cheap ones are out of stock here, apart from TP Link 8 port Gigabit Switch

Duke · 14 Oct 2011 at 08:09

bremen1874 said:
Replace the switch, they're so cheap nowadays they can be treated as a disposable item.

Or get a decent one in the first place like the HPs

Gazanimal · 14 Oct 2011 at 21:18

Cheers guys.

I don't want to keep having to buy a switch, even if they are cheap so I'll probably get a new gigabit modem/router.

Admittedly I'm used to using Netgear equipment but there gigabit equipment seems a bit hit & miss if you go by the reviews, both from testers & consumers.

Currently liking the Billion 7800N which is admittedly more money than I'd wish to spend but seems good for long lines & stable.

Any recommendations for a gigabit modem/router?

bremen1874 · 14 Oct 2011 at 21:47

There's no reason to suppose that a gigabit capable router will last any longer than a gigabit switch.

You’d need to get through 5+ cheap gigabit switches to get to the same cost as something like the 7800N. I believe TP-Link offer a 3 year warranty, so it’s going to take at least 15 years for you break even.

For significantly less money than a decent gigabit capable router you could buy a gigabit switch with a lifetime warranty (HP ProCurve for example).

If you do want to replace the router then the 7800N does look like a reasonable option.

The gigabit capable routers I’ve had first-hand experience with are all £150+ and presumably out of your planned budget (and you’d probably be paying for features you don’t need).

Gazanimal · 14 Oct 2011 at 21:59

I agree bremen.

Looking at the TP-link switches, found a gigabit one in black on the Rain Forest for under £14 delivered so might just go back down that route. Just need to hide the extra power/lan cables