Im just curious what you all think are the most important features to look for in a sub $200 workgroup switch for home use. Any specific features you all would absolutely expect in a switch for that price? It will be used for LAN parties and such as well as some high bandwidth intranetwork video streaming. Right now Im looking at a PowerConnect 2324. GigE is not absolutely necessary but I would prefer it. Any other suggestions?
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Most important things to look for in a sub $200 unmanaged switch.
- Thread starter ZenDragon
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That it works? 
But seriously...
Stick with a known brand and you'll be alright. Hit up Fleabay and most of the time you can find Cabletron/HP Procurve/Bay Networks higher-end switches for decent prices. GigE is going to be an uplink port @ best in that price range.
But seriously...
Stick with a known brand and you'll be alright. Hit up Fleabay and most of the time you can find Cabletron/HP Procurve/Bay Networks higher-end switches for decent prices. GigE is going to be an uplink port @ best in that price range.
If you're looking for unmanaged, you're really looking at number of ports. You can go as low as ~100 and get a 16-port 10/100 switch from linksys.
If you're looking for managed, then things become a lot harder. I found a 8 port gigabit switch with layer 2 management for around $150 on sale. (normal around 200). Of course, it's not from a major brand, but what the hey.
If you're looking for managed, then things become a lot harder. I found a 8 port gigabit switch with layer 2 management for around $150 on sale. (normal around 200). Of course, it's not from a major brand, but what the hey.
I would surely take a managed switch if I could find one for the same price The most important thing here is that it have decent switching capacity and works at wire speed. I know some home switches you can buy these days are cheap and will sure hinder performance. I was just curious if there were any specific features you all think should be included in a switch for that price.
The most important thing here is that it have decent switching capacity and works at wire speed. I know some home switches you can buy these days are cheap and will sure hinder performance. I was just curious if there were any specific features you all think should be included in a switch for that price.
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you can most definately find a nice managed switch from 3com or even extreme networks for around $200 on ebay
just search around a lot, there are some incredible deals on ebay every day
just search around a lot, there are some incredible deals on ebay every day
Yeah, I have to agree with Flecom....
For way under $200, you could have a nice 3Com Managed Switch shipped to you. Lots more cool features to play with and learn. Maybe something like a 24-port SuperStack II 3300. It's only 10/100, but there is an expansion slot which you may be able to get a gigabit module for. Dont know if they make those modules or not, but it is definately a nice switch!
For way under $200, you could have a nice 3Com Managed Switch shipped to you. Lots more cool features to play with and learn. Maybe something like a 24-port SuperStack II 3300. It's only 10/100, but there is an expansion slot which you may be able to get a gigabit module for. Dont know if they make those modules or not, but it is definately a nice switch!
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im pretty sure the 3300 can have like 2 or even 3 gige uplinks in the back with those slots...
richard where are you?
richard where are you?
big daddy fatsacks
2[H]4U
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that is a big budget for an unmanaged switch. how many ports do you need?