NETGEAR 8 Port Gigabit Network Switch (GS108) - Ethernet Switch - Ethernet Splitter - Plug-and-Play - Silent Operation - Desktop or Wall Mount

Product Information

Cloud-managed switches, on the other hand, are controlled in public cloud environments and only require an administrator to have internet access. Thus, for geographically distributed networks, a cloud-managed switch architecture can simplify the remote management process. How to choose between a managed and unmanaged network switch Quality of service - Quality of Service – or QoS – is another important feature you should consider. It lets you manipulate network traffic so that your switch can forward it in a manner consistent with the behavior required by the application generating the traffic. Thanks to this feature, your wired network will be able to differentiate traffic and prioritize it. It is much cheaper than managed switches and smart managed switches, suitable for families and small businesses with limited budgets. Affordability: These switches are generally more cost-effective compared to their managed counterparts, allowing you to save money while still enjoying efficient network connectivity.

Spanning Tree Protocol ( STP) support for switch and link redundancy without creating loops. Several STP iterations exist and are commonly configured, including traditional STP, per-VLAN STP, rapid STP and multiple STP; Smart Switch: Sitting somewhere between a beginner and managed gigabit switch, the smart switch provides set, easy-to-understand guidelines that allows it to self-manage traffic. Gamers know the critical importance of fast networking hardware; if your ping is too high, you can experience delays that will cost you, potentially at the expense of a victory. NETGEAR steps in with the ultimate solution, a gaming switch that it calls the Nighthawk S8000. Named after an agile predator, the NS8000 also moves fast, offering 99% lower latency than most standard switches. If you’re looking to give your gaming a competitive edge, consider the best gaming mouse pad too. In broad terms, Gigabit is about ten times faster than Fast Ethernet. You may believe slower speed means a lower price. Even if this is technically true, you might not save enough to justify a poorer choice.A network switch is also necessary when installing a whole-home wired Ethernet system. Typically, you'll place the switch in a recessed media enclosure and run Ethernet cables through your walls from there.

Determine the number of devices you need to connect to the switch. Choose a switch with sufficient port count to accommodate your network requirements. This is not to say that Wi-Fi doesn’t have its advantages: wireless networks are obviously more convenient than wired Ethernet cables and more than adequate for most of what we do on our networks. Still, if you want those Gigabit speeds for your devices (and there’s no doubt that the Ethernet cable is much, much faster than any Wi-Fi), you should go for an Ethernet connection. If you’ve ever run out of Ethernet ports on your router, you know the feeling of frustration that comes with it. Or maybe you want wired connections for all the devices in your home entertainment center, but don’t want to string multiple cables from the living room to wherever you happen to have your router. Actually, unmanaged switches have no concept of virtual LANs (VLANs). Thus, all devices belong to the same broadcast domain. If all of the things plugged into an unmanaged switch are on the same VLAN then you can do that. However, if you have a mix of VLANs on a switch, it needs to be managed. When you grow frustrated with Wi-Fi, a wired internet connection is usually your best bet. But you may need more Ethernet ports than your router can offer. That's where a network switch comes in handy. It's an extremely simple and affordable device, and it's one of the best upgrades for a busy home network. A Network Switch Adds Ethernet Ports to Your Router

PC Guide Expert Opinion

Welcome to the ultimate buyer's guide for unmanaged Ethernet switches! In this comprehensive guide, we will help clear up any confusion surrounding these essential networking devices. Whether you are a tech novice or a seasoned professional, our expert advice will assist you in making an informed decision. So without further ado, let's dive straight into the world of unmanaged Ethernet switches! Benefits of Unmanaged Ethernet Switches: PoE switches – They sllow you to power devices such as a wireless access point or IP phone and transmit data to the device via the same cable. They offer great flexibility for a larger network and are especially handy in places where it’s difficult to reach a power outlet. The average internet user relies almost entirely on Wi-Fi. All of their devices, including computers and TVs, access the internet wirelessly. And this arrangement is usually just fine. Wireless connectivity is faster and more reliable than ever before. Reliability: Built with simplicity in mind, unmanaged switches are designed to perform reliably. They prioritize stable connections over advanced features, ensuring consistent network performance.

If you want more Ethernet connections than your router can provide, then you need to buy a network switch. There are several reasons why you may want additional Ethernet ports---maybe you own several devices that will benefit from a wired internet connection, or maybe you want to host an old-fashioned LAN party. In any case, an inexpensive network switch will do the job. Consider the data transfer speed and bandwidth capabilities of the switch. Ensure it supports the speeds you require for optimal network performance. As mentioned, managed switches are more expensive than unmanaged switches, as they require software patches, updates and -- often -- a skilled professional for implementation. That said, complex networks that consist of servers, wireless access points, PCs and IoT devices often necessitate the configuration options found on managed switches.Managed switches also require one or more administrators that understand network configuration and monitoring concepts and how to apply those concepts to a switch configuration. Unmanaged switches have more of a plug and play installment process. Remember that connected devices will consume more power when active than inactive. If all your connected devices are going to be active at the same time you might need the switch to have quite a high PoE budget i.e. up to 30W per port. On some switches, you might have only 15W per port maximum. Also, the way that the power is distributed might be significant. Many switches will have a fixed maximum Wattage per port; on others, the power can be dynamically allocated, so different PoE ports can use more power if it’s needed by the connected device.