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Which brand is best for an Ethernet switch: tp-link, LINKSYS, or netgear?

Bleedingyamato

None of them are best. It depends on the switches you're comparing and what your needs are. 

 

As the switch is unmanaged, it's really quite hard to go wrong with them. (assuming you don't need the features offered by managed switches)

 

EDIT: I would personally go for something like a TP-Link TL-SG108 because of the link speed indication lights. It makes identifying and solving issues with links not running at the correct speed a bit easier. It's also a little cheaper. 

 

EDIT 2: Ah, didn't even look at the username. @Bleedingyamato for the network you're using it for, pretty much any 8 port gigabit unmanaged switch will do. My personal suggestion would be the TP-Link TL-SG108. https://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-Gigabit-Ethernet-Desktop-TL-SG108/dp/B00A121WN6/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1477609516&sr=1-3&keywords=8+port+gigabit+switch

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9 minutes ago, Bleedingyamato said:

I'm leaning towards this LINKSYS switch but I also saw ones from tp-link and netgear but idk which brand is best.  

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F3NUUF4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

 

It's personal preference, no real functional differences between the brands.
Just pick the one you like the look of best :P

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10 minutes ago, M.Yurizaki said:

I like Netgear. But in the professional grade side it's probably just a matter of taste.

What do you mean by professional grade?

 

Does Netgear make any switches about the same price as the one I showed in the link?

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13 minutes ago, Belgarathian said:

It's a un-managed network switch... In all honestly, they're all about as good as one another. 

 

6 minutes ago, The Flying Sloth said:

It's personal preference, no real functional differences between the brands.
Just pick the one you like the look of best :P

 

 

 

I will admit I'm partly looking at that LINKSYS switch because it's metal and has blue on it.. ?

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Just now, Bleedingyamato said:

 

 

 

 

I will admit I'm partly looking at that LINKSYS switch because it's metal and has blue on it.. ?

Well there you go :)
LINKSYS it is

Sloth's the name, audio gear is the game
I'll do my best to lend a hand to anyone with audio questions, studio gear and value for money are my primary focus.

Click here for my Microphone and Interface guide, tips and recommendations
 

For advice I rely on The Brains Trust :
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- Headphones, Earphones and personal audio for any budget 
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23 minutes ago, Oshino Shinobu said:

None of them are best. It depends on the switches you're comparing and what your needs are. 

 

As the switch is unmanaged, it's really quite hard to go wrong with them. (assuming you don't need the features offered by managed switches)

 

EDIT: I would personally go for something like a TP-Link TL-SG108 because of the link speed indication lights. It makes identifying and solving issues with links not running at the correct speed a bit easier. It's also a little cheaper. 

 

EDIT 2: Ah, didn't even look at the username. @Bleedingyamato for the network you're using it for, pretty much any 8 port gigabit unmanaged switch will do. My personal suggestion would be the TP-Link TL-SG108. https://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-Gigabit-Ethernet-Desktop-TL-SG108/dp/B00A121WN6/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1477609516&sr=1-3&keywords=8+port+gigabit+switch

How does this compare to the Linksys switch in the link?

 

Do either of these have a fan in them?    I'd prefer a fanless design for silent use.

 

@M.Yurizaki had shown me a speed test that I'd run.  The picture shows the results.  Though my internet is slower than any of these switches I'm pretty sure so I guess it might not matter.

 

Shouldn't my download be higher than upload?

 

Is it possible the test got messed up somehow?

image.jpeg

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25 minutes ago, M.Yurizaki said:

I like Netgear. But in the professional grade side it's probably just a matter of taste.

Btw, did you see the last post in my topic where I'd asked about USB wifi adapters?

 

I posted the results of the speed test and a few comments for you.

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5 minutes ago, Bleedingyamato said:

How does this compare to the Linksys switch in the link?

 

Do either of these have a fan in them?    I'd prefer a fanless design for silent use.

 

 

There isn't really anything to compare them by. They'll perform pretty much exactly the same as they're just basic unmanaged switches that run at the same speed. 

 

Neither have a fan. That's typically something you won't find on smaller unmanaged switches without PoE. 

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3 minutes ago, M.Yurizaki said:

I haven't ran the software myself so I don't know what to make of your results.

 

Also by "professional grade" I meant what market the switch is for. Netgear makes switches mostly for businesses and so far I've not had a problem with their stuff.

I thought the point of running it was to determine my internet speed?

 

Ah.  Ok.

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3 minutes ago, Oshino Shinobu said:

There isn't really anything to compare them by. They'll perform pretty much exactly the same as they're just basic unmanaged switches that run at the same speed. 

 

Neither have a fan. That's typically something you won't find on smaller unmanaged switches without PoE. 

I meant like in terms of features.  

 

What's the difference between an unmanaged vs a managed Ethernet switch?

 

 

What's PoE?

 

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3 minutes ago, Bleedingyamato said:

I meant like in terms of features.  

 

What's the difference between an unmanaged vs a managed Ethernet switch?

 

 

What's PoE?

 

The only real difference is that the TL-SG108 has speed indication lights that tell you whether a link is running at 1000Mbps or 10/100Mbps. (the Linksys may do that by coloured lights, but I'm not sure on that. I have a TrendNet switch that does that). 

 

Unmanaged switches just switch packets as they're received and nothing more. They just connect devices on the network together. Managed switches allow you to do things like create VLANs (Virtual LANs), setup QoS (quality of service), monitor the network through systems such as SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). For most home users, unmanaged switches are all you need. For your use case, you don't need a managed switch. 

 

PoE is Power over Ethernet. It allows PoE compatible devices to be run off the switch without a need for an additional power adaptor for the device itself. Something like a Ubiquiti UniFi AP or PoE IP Camera can run off a PoE switch with just an Ethernet cable. 

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@M.Yurizaki

@Oshino Shinobu

@Belgarathian

@The Flying Sloth

 

I think I'm going to get the TP-Link TL-SG108 that Oshino Shinobu suggested.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A121WN6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

(The desktop unmanaged version.)

 

I still like the look of the Linksys in my initial post better but I noticed it doesn't display the connection type/speed like this TP-Link model does and this TL-SG108 is cheaper.

 

I did find this netgear switch that seems like the Netgear equivalent and again I like the look better than the SG108 but since the SG108 is cheaper I'll stick with that since I also will be getting the ASUS AC1300 USB adapter I mentioned in my USB wifi adapter topic and a few Ethernet cables so shaving a little money off the total cost is helpful.

 

Thank you all for the help/input.  It's very much appreciated. 

 

 

Edit: I realized I forgot to include the link to show what Netgear switch I was referring to.  Oops.  ?

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MPVR50A/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Edited by Bleedingyamato
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2 minutes ago, Bleedingyamato said:

@M.Yurizaki

@Oshino Shinobu

@Belgarathian

@The Flying Sloth

 

I think I'm going to get the TP-Link TL-SG108 that Oshino Shinobu suggested.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A121WN6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

(The desktop unmanaged version.)

 

I still like the look of the Linksys in my initial post better but I noticed it doesn't display the connection type/speed like this TP-Link model does and this TL-SG108 is cheaper.

 

I did find this netgear switch that seems like the Netgear equivalent and again I like the look better than the SG108 but since the SG108 is cheaper I'll stick with that since I also will be getting the ASUS AC1300 USB adapter I mentioned in my USB wifi adapter topic and a few Ethernet cables so shaving a little money off the total cost is helpful.

 

Sounds like you have it all sorted out,
Look forward to seeing where you go with it

Sloth's the name, audio gear is the game
I'll do my best to lend a hand to anyone with audio questions, studio gear and value for money are my primary focus.

Click here for my Microphone and Interface guide, tips and recommendations
 

For advice I rely on The Brains Trust :
@rice guru
- Headphones, Earphones and personal audio for any budget 
@Derkoli- High end specialist and allround knowledgeable bloke

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2 minutes ago, The Flying Sloth said:

Sounds like you have it all sorted out,
Look forward to seeing where you go with it

I have a 5 port switch currently but I'm getting the 8 port switch modtly because for some unknown reason when I try to use the remote play app/program for my PS4 to stream to my desktop it randomly decided within the last 2-3 months to stop working over wifi.

 

So now my desktop has to be connected via Ethernet for it to work for PS4 streaming.  Odd thing is my Xbox One doesn't have that problem.  It streams using the Xbox app on W10 with only the occasional hiccup every once in a while on wifi.  

 

I have and no idea what changed.  I was streaming for months here and there since last February from my PS4 without any problems then boom it randomly decided to have occurs with my desktop on wifi.  My ps4 has been on Ethernet pretty much since I got it so I doubt that it's an issue on that end of things.

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From experience, Tp-Link and D-Link (Comparing to Belkin) have quite good build quality, though I have to say that Tp-Link is a little pricey and D-Links product designs are sometimes boring.

 

Honestly not a massive fan of Netgear, I hear stories from friends about the problems they have had, I cannot say anything from experience, though.

 

As for Linksys, I hear they are quite good also, but nothing I can say about them, having only ever owned D-Link, Tp-Link and Belkin.

 

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13 minutes ago, ProLogic said:

From experience, Tp-Link and D-Link (Comparing to Belkin) have quite good build quality, though I have to say that Tp-Link is a little pricey and D-Links product designs are sometimes boring.

 

Honestly not a massive fan of Netgear, I hear stories from friends about the problems they have had, I cannot say anything from experience, though.

 

As for Linksys, I hear they are quite good also, but nothing I can say about them, having only ever owned D-Link, Tp-Link and Belkin.

 

How is the TL-SG108 pricey?  It's cheaper than the Linksys model I was going to get.  Or the Netgear model I found.

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1 minute ago, Bleedingyamato said:

How is the TL-SG108 pricey?  It's cheaper than the Linksys model I was going to get.  Or the Netgear model I found.

I was talking about Tp-Link in general, like the powerline and some of the higher end/ultra low end switches

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3 minutes ago, ProLogic said:

I was talking about Tp-Link in general, like the powerline and some of the higher end/ultra low end switches

Ah.  Ok.

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Happened to find you a cheaper switch from D-Link

Need prime though

https://www.amazon.com/D-link-8-Port-Unmanaged-Gigabit-GO-SW-8G/dp/B008PC1MSO/ref=sr_1_64?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1477633760&sr=1-64&keywords=switch+gigabit

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KFD0SYK/ref=psdc_281414_t3_B00C5FK7OW 

a netgear switch for almost the same price

 

If you MUST have metal it is still cheaper than the tplink. (Not prime only)

https://www.amazon.com/D-link-8-Port-Unmanaged-Gigabit-GO-SW-8G/dp/B00C5FK7OW/ref=sr_1_64?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1477633760&sr=1-64&keywords=switch%2Bgigabit&th=1

 

Need the front facing ports? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KFD0SEA/ref=psdc_281414_t3_B00C5FK7OW?th=1

 

Now you might see what i mean by tp-link being a touch on the pricey side.

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12 hours ago, ProLogic said:

Happened to find you a cheaper switch from D-Link

Need prime though

https://www.amazon.com/D-link-8-Port-Unmanaged-Gigabit-GO-SW-8G/dp/B008PC1MSO/ref=sr_1_64?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1477633760&sr=1-64&keywords=switch+gigabit

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KFD0SYK/ref=psdc_281414_t3_B00C5FK7OW 

a netgear switch for almost the same price

 

If you MUST have metal it is still cheaper than the tplink. (Not prime only)

https://www.amazon.com/D-link-8-Port-Unmanaged-Gigabit-GO-SW-8G/dp/B00C5FK7OW/ref=sr_1_64?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1477633760&sr=1-64&keywords=switch%2Bgigabit&th=1

 

Need the front facing ports? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KFD0SEA/ref=psdc_281414_t3_B00C5FK7OW?th=1

 

Now you might see what i mean by tp-link being a touch on the pricey side.

I do appreciate the effort trying to help but I already ordered the TP-Link TL-SG108 last night.  Thank you for trying though.  It's really nice to see people go that extra mile to be helpful and nice to others.

 

Sorry.  I was in a bit of a hurry so I could place an order to get the stuff on Saturday with the free two day Prime shipping.  ?

 

I also should've specified that I wanted a switch that has indicators for connection speed like I think the D-Link metal switch you showed me might have.  The TL-SG108 has that too and for only a few dollars more.

 

 

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On 10/27/2016 at 7:16 PM, Bleedingyamato said:

What do you mean by professional grade?

 

Does Netgear make any switches about the same price as the one I showed in the link?

"Professional grade" would mean a managed switch.  Managed switches allow for various configurations such as multiple VLANS, traffic shaping, IP routing, and other Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionality.  If you don't know you want a managed switch, you probably don't need one.  It should be noted that managed switches are not just plug and play.

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