Looking for a Network Switch

[starry]

I just need a reliable solid network switch to go into my networking setup. I would like it to have at least 10 ports, PoE not required, and i need it to be under $100

Most importantly I want it to be solid and reliable with good performance.

Ive never purchased a network switch before so i dont really know what to look for. Any suggestions are welcome.

I live in the US.

[Kanna]

Speeds?

[starry]

2 minutes ago, Kanna said:

Speeds?

 

I dont think I need anything over 1Gb right now, I dont have any devices that do more than that.

[Kanna]

2 minutes ago, seapriestess said:

 

I dont think I need anything over 1Gb right now, I dont have any devices that do more than that.

Would 8 ports work or is 10 needed?

[starry]

2 minutes ago, Kanna said:

Would 8 ports work or is 10 needed?

I would really like 10 but If I really need to I suppose I can upgrade later. I plan on eventually having ~10 devices wired over Ethernet but thats further down the line.

 

Like i said the most important part is having something with rock solid reliability.

[Kanna]

1 minute ago, seapriestess said:

I would really like 10 but If I really need to I suppose I can upgrade later. I plan on eventually having ~10 devices wired over Ethernet but thats further down the line.

This one would do the job for $39 8 ports and $82 for 16 ports, not sure about the speeds of it tough

[mariushm]

Honestly any 16 port switch would be fine

I'd suggest going with one that has metal case as they're often more reliable (and stay cooler)

 

Example :  45$  TP-Link TL-SG116 16-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch - Newegg.com

 

 

If you don't mind paying more, look into old datacenter harder. 

For example 99$ gets you a 48 port switch,with warranty :  Refurbished: Force 10 48-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch S60-44-AC-R - UNIXPlus.com

You can also opt to pay 50$ to get 2 10g uplink modules, so you'll have a few 10gbps sfp+ ports

 

 

 

 

 

[starry]

1 hour ago, mariushm said:

Honestly any 16 port switch would be fine

I'd suggest going with one that has metal case as they're often more reliable (and stay cooler)

 

Example :  45$  TP-Link TL-SG116 16-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch - Newegg.com

 

 

If you don't mind paying more, look into old datacenter harder. 

For example 99$ gets you a 48 port switch,with warranty :  Refurbished: Force 10 48-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch S60-44-AC-R - UNIXPlus.com

You can also opt to pay 50$ to get 2 10g uplink modules, so you'll have a few 10gbps sfp+ ports

 

 

 

 

 

Will take the datacenter suggestion because I value high quality things that last a long time, and generally datacenter fits that, thank you very very much.

[Lurick]

23 minutes ago, seapriestess said:

Will take the datacenter suggestion because I value high quality things that last a long time, and generally datacenter fits that, thank you very very much.

One thing I will say is these data center switches are going to be LOUD so if you need silence, this is not what you want to look at.

[Alex Atkin UK]

Datacentre could be false economy IMO, as they will be louder, use more power and may actually be MORE prone to failure as they have been in operational use in who knows what conditions for who knows how long.

At the very least you may end up replacing fans which alone would go a long way to the cost of a cheap SOHO switch.

[Fishscene]

If you need reliability, I'd buy new.

 

There are 2 main classes of switches. "Managed" and "Unmanaged". It sounds like unmanaged will suit you best, in which case the above links to TP-Link will suit you VERY well. I've bought a few of them over the years and they've had 100% reliability until I swapped them out for managed switches and donated them.

 

Managed gets expensive quickly, but add a whole host of options to be able to manage your network. If you don't need these abilities, you're overspending on a managed switch.

 

I recommend NOT buying a datacenter switch. They will all be "managed" switches and the complexity for setting up is going to take a bit of time and likely end in a lot of frustration for a first-time switch buyer. These are really designed for network professionals - not for home use with 10 devices and you'll be paying a lot more over time for the power it uses. Not to mention needing adequate cooling and general noise it is likely to generate.Additionally, they aren't going to be within budget unless they are used, which is a whole other list of potential problems not in line with "reliable".

 

 

[starry]

4 hours ago, Fishscene said:

If you need reliability, I'd buy new.

 

There are 2 main classes of switches. "Managed" and "Unmanaged". It sounds like unmanaged will suit you best, in which case the above links to TP-Link will suit you VERY well. I've bought a few of them over the years and they've had 100% reliability until I swapped them out for managed switches and donated them.

 

Managed gets expensive quickly, but add a whole host of options to be able to manage your network. If you don't need these abilities, you're overspending on a managed switch.

 

I recommend NOT buying a datacenter switch. They will all be "managed" switches and the complexity for setting up is going to take a bit of time and likely end in a lot of frustration for a first-time switch buyer. These are really designed for network professionals - not for home use with 10 devices and you'll be paying a lot more over time for the power it uses. Not to mention needing adequate cooling and general noise it is likely to generate.Additionally, they aren't going to be within budget unless they are used, which is a whole other list of potential problems not in line with "reliable".

 

 

Thank you for your insight, I will buy the TP link one I was about to overspend on a jet engine not knowing that these things even need active cooling, I really really appreciate it.