Skip to main content
ploppy
Avid Contributor I
September 13, 2018

Recommendation for new Gigabit Switch

I'm thinking of replacing my old/slow unmanaged switch to which I connect my two Play:5s so I'm looking for a recommendation.

Briefly, my setup is as follows:
BT HomeHub 5
Unmanaged 100BaseT switch connected to HH5 and the following connected to the switch
- two Play:3s, in stereo
- macMini
- DVD Player
Also wired directly to HH5 are
- NowTV box
- BT TV box
On the wifi
- one Play:1 in kitchen
- one Play:1 upstairs
- a variety of MacBook Pros and iPhones

I've read various posts in the past talking about managed switches, VLANs (especially where NowTV is involved), etc so I'm curious as to what the current advice is. Would anyone please recommend a managed switch for me? I'd also need to know whether there is any specific settings I need with respect to getting my Sonos to work optimally with it.

I know Curry's (in the UK) sell the TP-LINK TL-SG105E for £25 - so I'm imagining something like that. Annoyingly, that switch has the ports and power socket on opposite sides. Ideally I'd like one with all the ugly cable stuff on the same side so that I can make my rat's nest look tidier.

TIA.
This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

21 replies

Show previous replies
Stanley_4
Stanley_4
Grand Maestro
September 14, 2018
I have a variety of switches here, aside from the buggy Dell all of the ones I didn't throw out (looking at you LinkSys) are working flawlessly.

Two of these off my router for the two main LANs: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0044GH27U/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

One of these on my third, testing LAN as I didn't need a lot of ports and it looked to be an improved version of other switches I like: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KFD0SEA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Half a dozen of these about the house as splitters to save running lots of wires: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MPVR50A/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A couple of these as splitters under cabinets and such: https://smile.amazon.com/TP-Link-Ethernet-Optimization-Unmanaged-TL-SG105/dp/B00A128S24/ref=sr_1_5

One of these that I don't like well (because of the light/port layout, not performance) but it has the cords on the back and lights on the front so it works for where I needed that design: https://smile.amazon.com/TRENDnet-GREENnet-Switching-Protection-TEG-S82G/dp/B00C2H0YFU/ref=sr_1_22

And my currently unused Dell Power Connect 2816: https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/cty/powerconnect-2816-switch/spd/powerconnect-2816

Probably not needed in a lot of locations but if you have shielded cable it is worth getting a matching switch, I have this for my video surveillance system that has long runs in conduit with other services: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A121WN6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement