What is your favourite simple, unmanaged switch?

[ullbeking]

As per the title, what is a recommendation for a really nice, good quality, unmanaged switch? I'm interested in comparing small, 4-port switches, half-1U switches, and short-depth full-with 1U switches. Thank you!!

 

[StammesOpfer]

Whatever is cheap. I usually look at TP-Link and Netgear for both unmanaged and web/smart managed.

 

[IamSpartacus]

I personally love the Netgear Prosafe line. Good quality switches and for just a little more you can jump up to the Prosafe Plus line which gives you Vlan tagging.

 

[Blinky 42]

For < 12 ports and just 1G, whatever is cheap. The wall-wart power supply will probably fail on whatever you get after 5-7 years regardless so there isn't a huge driver to choose one over the other. Having rubber feet that doesn't degrade after a few years of being warm or a physical design that isn't stupid (all rounded or angled so it can't be in a stack of stuff or have it on the edge) tends to win out for me.
The general quality of switches with less than 8 ports seems to be very low as they have to compete as throw-away mass produced electronics available @ wal-mart these days, and I set my expectations accordingly low for needing to replace it in a year or 2.

I have had about the same decent experience with Netgear, D-Link and TP-Link small unmanaged switches. The next step up usually includes an internal power supply and is more expensive. For small managed switches or > 8+ ports, I would step up to the better Netgear units (although I find the management interface gawd-awful, it works fine and you forget about it once set up). Smaller HP managed switches are great if you can find them used or on sale.

 

[mstone]

as above, for a 4 port switch it really doesn't matter. they'll basically all use the same cheap asic, and offer the same performace. pick the shape you like best.

 

[fractal]

Netgear blue boxes or HP 1400. I have had too many of the other brands listed here fail. Never had a 1400 or blue box fail.

 

[hjfr]

For basic unmanaged switchs (but metallic design and not plastic), like others:
5 ports:
- Netgear GS105 / GS305
- TP-Link TL-SG105
- D-Link DGS105

8 ports:
- Netgear GS108 / GS308
- TP-Link TL-SG108
- D-Link DGS108

Identical features. External power supply. Good price. Little difference about power consumption (check datasheet if it's important) at idle or full activity (less than 5W in worst case for 8 ports).

 

[Moff Tigriss]

The Netgear ProSafe line is really good. I use them in events, everywhere a small switch is needed. It's reliable, solid, and cheap. And I buy the ProSafe Plus when there is sales on them.

 

[Churchill]

HP 24port fanless switch can be found for under $100 and gigabit virtually silent.

 

[Geekness07]

Compared to unmanaged switch, managed switches are more common in my work, if you need advice about managed ones, maybe I could offer some advice~~

However, unmanaged switch is more simple and not expensive, just get brand one, it's won't let you down.