I have a 8 port gigabit (unmanaged) Netgear switches. I have a need to increase ports to 10 now. However, I find that the price jump from 8 to 10 port is comparatively very high. Is there a reason for this and is there an alternative apart from putting another 8 port next to existing one?
Upgrading gigabit switch issue
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Anything more than 8 port (10/12/16) is less common and probably doesn't sell as well. 24 port tends to be the next common size but they are rack mount.
5 port switch daisy chained off the 8 port would be the cheapest option
5 port switch daisy chained off the 8 port would be the cheapest option
One further less, connection from Router to switch making it 13, I guess!
Surely it depends whether those switches also have uplink ports? Many switches now have an SFP or SFP+ Uplink port in addition to the 4 or 8 RJ45 connectors.
Very good point. I was thinking of pairing my existing Netgear switch which just has 8 ports.
To be fair to @Caged though, I’ve just had a quick look on the OcUK website and it’s mainly managed or incredibly cheap 10/100 switches that have uplinking ports. I use the latter a lot for surveillance camera installs where you get a 4 or 8 10/100 PoE port switch with two 1GbE uplinks.
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There are some Netgear and TP-Link 16 port switches which aren't crazily more expensive than 8.
One option might be, depending on your configuration/layout, using a router with multiple network ports as well as an 8 port switch - though a lot of routers which have like 4-5 ports on them tend to only have 10/100 ports. I assume you don't have unused ports on your existing router you could use?
One option might be, depending on your configuration/layout, using a router with multiple network ports as well as an 8 port switch - though a lot of routers which have like 4-5 ports on them tend to only have 10/100 ports. I assume you don't have unused ports on your existing router you could use?
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No, unfortunately no spare ones.
The general point was that you don't get (switch port count)*(number of switches) ports. A switch with 8 ports and two "uplink" ports for all the distinction that an uplink port has today (it used to have things like selectable crossover but everything is auto now) is a 10-port switch.
It's an unusual number, you'll probably find more cost less, example there 16 port unmanaged Gig jobbies for £40 on Amazon, how cheap do you want it?
40-50 is good for me.
Cheapest I'd probably feel happy with is something like the TP Link TL-SG116, which is in that price range.
Edit: To clarify, at this level every switch is likely going to be built using the same switch chip so there will be no performance difference, but going for a brand like TP Link vs. an eBay special is going to get you a better case, better power supply, higher quality components on the board including the connectors etc. As well as support that exists so you can actually make a claim on the 'lifetime' warranty if needed.
Edit: To clarify, at this level every switch is likely going to be built using the same switch chip so there will be no performance difference, but going for a brand like TP Link vs. an eBay special is going to get you a better case, better power supply, higher quality components on the board including the connectors etc. As well as support that exists so you can actually make a claim on the 'lifetime' warranty if needed.
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