A Power-over-Ethernet switch is a must-have addition for a home network if you're thinking about seriously kitting it out with cameras, WiFi extenders, and other smart home tech. Luckily, a budget-friendly Ugreen 10-port PoE+ switch is on sale for just $37.97 on Amazon right now. That's a new record low for this model, giving you eight extra PoE+ ports (and 10 total) for your network at a lower cost than many of its rivals.

● Check out this deal on Amazon

Ugreen is a brand that feels ubiquitous on Amazon these days, with decently priced and well-designed hardware on sale, from wall chargers to peripherals, including network switches like this one. This 10-port switch offers the PoE+ standard (IEEE 802.3at) that offers up to 30W of power per port.

That means faster, newer devices can connect to this switch, delivering both power and data over a single Ethernet cable. The switch supports 60W in total, but it works in a cascade system. If power draw exceeds 60W, it'll shut down ports to prevent overload, from port 8 down to port 1. It auto-detects PoE devices, too, so it won't inadvertently short out a normal network device like your PC or laptop. It also supports an extended power delivery mode that lets you connect devices up to 820 feet away.

This is the ultimate device for supporting a smart home network. PoE switches are useful for network-attached cameras, additional WiFi extenders, and smart home hubs and sensors. This Ugreen switch is unmanaged, so a huge setup process isn't required here, and it should work immediately with your existing kit. That means it lacks the extra customization that a more expensive managed switch can offer, but for most users, that won't be a problem.

It'll work with almost any Ethernet-ready device you own, too, even those that don't take advantage of the power delivery provided by this switch. That includes laptops and PCs, NAS drives, game consoles, printers, and TVs.

Another important feature here, too, is speed. This switch offers gigabit speeds across your network, meaning you can banish lag and WiFi latency issues while you're gaming and streaming. An Ethernet connection using this switch will help you to max out the bandwidth provided by your internet provider, with the switch offering two uplink ports that you can use to connect to your existing network.

Fanless, with built-in lightning protection, and compressed into a compact chassis just 6.6 x 3.7 x 1.3 inches in size, this Ugreen PoE+ switch is the ultimate home network upgrade. The $37.97 sale price for this 10-port Ugreen switch is available for a limited time only, however, so if you're interested, you'll need to order it soon.

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The TP-Link TL-SG108S-M2 is an unmanaged 8-port 2.5 GbE switch, which would make an excellent addition for your home network or small office. The TL-SG108S-M2 carries an MSRP of $79.99, but there’s a Prime Day sale at Amazon that drops the price to just $49.99.

The sub-$50 price tag is definitely eye-catching, and it caught my attention. I bought a UGREEN 6-port 2.5 GbE unmanaged switch back in October for $59.97, and here we have an 8-port unmanaged switch for $10 less.

The TL-SG108S-M2 offers 40 Gbps of switching capacity and supports devices at 100 Mbps, 1 Gbps, or 2.5 Gbps speeds. In other words, it’ll be well-suited to handle just about any of your networking needs, from plugging in a wired desktop PC to connecting a NAS, to wiring up a workgroup printer, to even extending your network wirelessly with an access point. And you can do all of this using Cat5e cabling.

You won’t have to worry about the switch taking up a lot of space, as it only measures 6.22 x 3.98 x 1 inches. So you should easily be able to tuck it away behind your monitor on a desk, or banish it to a corner under your desk. Or, if you prefer, it has mounting points on the bottom for attaching it to the wall. The casing is all-metal and passively cooled, so you don’t have to worry about introducing any additional noise into your tranquil home office.

Amazon’s $49.99 sale price on the TL-SG108S-M2 likely won’t last long, so get it w

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I have plenty of time for a wireless network in my home, but I only use it for devices where latency isn't an issue. It's great for my phone, tablet, and some streaming, but if I want to game or download large files to the network storage, I prefer a wired setup, and there are never enough Ethernet ports available on a standard router from your ISP. With eight extra Ethernet ports, you should be good to go for connecting the majority of your devices. This TP-Link 8-Port Multi-Gigabit 2.5G Ethernet Switch is now just $49.99 after getting a massive 62% ($80) slashed off the $129.99 list price at Amazon in this pre-Prime Day deal.

● Grab this deal at Amazon

The TP-Link 8-Port multi-Gigabit 2.5G Ethernet switch (model: TL-SG108S-M2) is an 8-port switch with fast 2.5 Gbps speeds. Simply connect this device to your router to instantly expand the number of available Ethernet ports at your disposal. The Switch is unmanaged, so there is no configuration of static IP addresses, just plug and play when you connect up your devices. The TP-Link switch will intelligently sense the link speeds of your device and adjust between three speeds (100Mb/1G/2.5G) to give you the optimum network experience.

You can use this 8-port switch to connect to your television, gaming PC, Xbox/PlayStation, WiFi mesh network, NAS, private server, VOIP phone, or even security cameras. Anything you feel would benefit from a more stable wired connection.

You can choose to install the TP-Link TL-SG108S-M2 on the desk, or even wall-mount it up out of the way, to keep any possible cable-clutter off your workspace, and out of sight. The TP-Link TL-SG108S-M2 uses a fanless design to dissipate heat, so there is no noise disturbance, ensuring silent operation. In the box is the switch itself, a power adapter, and some rubber feet if you choose to install it on a desktop.

Saving 62% off the usual retail price makes this switch an exceptional bargain in today's economy. Picking up an 8-port TP-Link TL-SG108S-M2 switch for just $49.99 is a quick win for anyone wanting to upgrade their small home network.

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A brilliant and budget-friendly network switch from a top brand has just gone on sale for a limited time only. Amazon has slashed this TP-Link 8-port unmanaged Ethernet Switch in price to just $20.86 right now, saving you 48% on its usual list price.

● Check out this deal on Amazon

The data crunchers at Camelcamelcamel confirm that this is an almost record low price, only going lower once before, back in January 2020. This is a seriously good offer for a switch that will unlock an additional eight ports on your network, although one of those ports will be used to connect it to your existing LAN. This isn't an unmanaged switch (despite the Amazon product image), so you will need to configure it, but TP-Link makes this easy with a simple setup process. It's designed to be plug-and-play, and you can hook it up to your existing router or modem without high-end configuration (unless you want that) using a standard Ethernet cable.

There isn't a better option out there for speed and latency on a home network. WiFi might have improved since the early years, but it's still prone to interference, and distance from the router is a problem. A switch like this TL-SG108E model is the perfect antidote, offering gigabit speeds to help you completely max out the bandwidth on your internet connection for high-speed gaming or 4K video streaming, along with file transfers and more.

Network switches are a useful addition to any home, especially if you need to provide high-speed connections to multiple devices in a location far away from your existing network ports. The big benefit, however, is the speed upgrade you're getting from using it. It won't magically make your internet connection better, but it can shave off latency where WiFi interference is a problem. I use one just like this to provide a branch off my main LAN to devices upstairs, for instance.

TP-Link is a well-known brand in the networking space, too. If you're having trouble with your home network connections, this TL-SG108E switch will give you rock-solid wired connections for a whole heap of devices that support Ethernet. It isn't a PoE switch, so you can't use it to power IP cameras that lack their own power source, but it'll otherwise work fine.

It's not going to take up a huge amount of space, either. It measures 6.2 x 4.0 x 1.0 inches in size, which is small enough that it won't be too difficult to hide. It's fanless, too, so you won't hear it while you're gaming or streaming, no matter how many devices you hook up to it.

As we've mentioned, this is a managed switch with a web portal for easy configuration. This unlocks extra features that an unmanaged switch wouldn't offer, but it's more user-friendly for beginners than an enterprise-grade alternative. For instance, you can use it to create separate VLANs, letting you isolate certain devices (such as cameras or a guest device) from the rest of your network. It supports QoS for improving traffic flow depending on what you're using, along with integrated network monitoring to see (and control) what your devices can and cannot do.

The $20.86 deal on this TP-Link TL-SG108E 8-port gigabit switch is a stonkingly good one. This is a (near) historic low for this particular model, with a spec sheet that makes it a serious option for anyone, beginner or pro, who is looking to upgrade their home network. Make sure to grab this one quickly, however, as this limited-time deal is set to run out by tomorrow.

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One of our favorite budget-friendly network switches has just gone on sale. Amazon have cut back the price of this already budget-friendly TP-Link Litewave 5-port unmanaged Ethernet Switch, knocking it down to just $8.97 right now for a limited time only.

● Check out this deal on Amazon

We've seen the LS1500G yo-yo in price over the last few months, according to the data from Camelcamelcamel, but that doesn't detract from what a bargain it is at this price. This 47% saving is enough to bring it back down to record low pricing, so if you're looking for a network switch to upgrade your home network, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.

What you're getting with the TP-Link Litewave 5-Port LS1005G is a fully unmanaged switch that will unlock additional Ethernet ports on your network. It'll plug straight into your existing router or modem setup without configuration. It just requires you to switch it on, hook it up to your router or modem using an Ethernet cable and any devices you connect up to the four remaining ports should work immediately. You won't find a better option for speed and latency at home than a wired LAN connection like this, especially if you've got an ultra-fast internet connection that you want to max out for gaming or streaming content.

Speed is the ultimate point here, because gigabit speeds means you won't have to worry about slowdowns or lag when you're using the devices in your home. That's a contrast to Wi-Fi, where interference and distance from your router can have serious issues on the quality of your connection, compared to this rock-solid, dedicated wired connection.

You don't need a huge amount of physical space to spare to use it, either. The LS1005G is just 2.8 x 3.5 x 0.9 inches in size, which is small enough to hide in a convenient place near your existing router, or further afield in your home or office. This TP-Link switch is fanless, so it should stay completely silent while you're using it, no matter what devices you're using.

There just isn't a better option than an unmanaged switch like this TP-Link Litewave LS1005G if you're looking for a plug-and-forget option for your network. It might not have the same customization options as a more expensive managed switch, but the functionality on this LS1005G will be more than enough for most users. It'll work with almost any Ethernet-ready device you own, too, from PCs and laptops to NAS drives, game consoles, IP cameras, printers, and TVs. You can also use it to plug in another router or Wi-Fi extender in another area of your home.

This is a deal that is often popular when it goes on sale, so take advantage of the $8.97 sale price for the TP-Link Litewave 5-port LS1005G while you can. The limited-time-only price offered by Amazon is likely to expire soon, and there's no guarantee when it'll pop down in price again.

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If you need to upgrade the wired connectivity in your home, you're going to want to pick up this TP-Link Litewave 5-Port LS1005G Ethernet switch, which has dropped to an unbelievably low £8.59 right now. This switch will unlock an extra four Ethernet ports on your network, using one of the five ports to connect up to your existing router with a standard cable. There isn't a better way to connect to a home network than using a wired connection like this, especially if you're in desperate need to upgrade your bandwidth for gaming or streaming.

● Check out this deal on Amazon

This TP-Link switch unlocks gigabit speeds on your network, which will be a noticeable improvement if you're used to using a slow Wi-Fi connection, letting you ditch the lag and interference immediately. A switch like this will deliver a rock-solid, dedicated connection to any number of devices in your home. The LS1005G model here is unmanaged, meaning you won't need to worry about any complicated setup process. Configuration isn't necessary, either, and you should only need to connect an Ethernet cable between your router or modem and the switch's WAN port to get things started, leaving the other four ports for your PC and other devices.

This TP-Link device isn't huge or heavy to handle, and won't take up a lot of space in your home or office. It measures just 7.12 x 8.89 x 2.2 cm (2.8 x 3.5 x 0.9 inches) across, and will fit neatly close to your existing router or, if you're spreading the connections further afield, in any other convenient location you need. It doesn't need fans to keep it cool, and it won't make any noise, so it shouldn't disrupt your existing setup.

Unmanaged switches like the TP-Link Litewave LS1005G on sale here are suited to just about everyone: technophobes and technophiles alike won't have a trouble using them as a plug-and-play solution for expanding a home network. The only downside, if it is one, is that it won't offer as much customization as a managed switch, but those switches typically cost far more money to purchase (certainly more than a tenner). Most users won't see that as a problem, however, and you won't have any problem using this device with almost any Ethernet-capable device, from PCs and laptops to TVs, game consoles, printers, and even other routers or Wi-Fi extenders.

The £8.59 sale price for this TP-Link Litewave LS1005G gigabit Ethernet switch is a seriously great one for a device that will significantly improve the connections in your home, especially from a top brand. Amazon's sale page is clear: this is a deal that's selling fast, so if you want to grab this epic home networking bargain for yourself, you'd better be quick before the deal (or the stock) runs out.

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There's no need to settle for a bad network connection when there's a superb deal on this TP-Link Lightwave 5-port unmanaged Ethernet switch that you could take advantage of. This gigabit TP-Link switch is down to just $8.98 right now as part of Amazon's Big Spring Sale event for a limited time only.

● Check out this deal on Amazon

We've seen this TP-Link switch yo-yo in price in recent months, according to Camelcamelcamel's data, but this 47% saving brings it right back to its record low. You'll want a network switch like this one to unlock extra Ethernet ports on your wired network, plugging straight into your existing router. There isn't a better alternative to a wired LAN connection like this if you want to use the full potential of your internet connection for gaming or streaming.

The speed is my favorite feature on this TP-Link Litewave 5-Port LS1005G switch. It offers gigabit speeds, so you don't have to worry about irritating slowdowns, and you can say goodbye to the lag and interference you can see on a Wi-Fi connection, relying instead on a rock-solid, dedicated wired connection. This switch is unmanaged, which means you don't need to worry about complicated configurations or a difficult setup process. It just requires you to switch it on, hook it up to your router or modem's WAN port, and any devices you connect up to the four remaining ports should work immediately.

This TP-Link switch doesn't require a huge amount of physical space. It measures 2.8 x 3.5 x 0.9 inches, which should allow you to hide it pretty well in a convenient place around your existing router or around your home. It's fanless and should be completely silent while in use, so it won't interrupt you while you're watching a movie or playing games.

For a network novice who just wants a plug-and-forget solution, there isn't a better option than an unmanaged switch. While it won't offer the same level of customization as a (typically more expensive) managed switch, this TP-Link Litewave LS1005G is going to be more than plenty for most users. You can expect it to work with almost any Ethernet-capable device without trade-offs, whether it's a PC, laptop, NAS, games console, IP camera, printer, TV, or even another router or Wi-Fi extender for your home.

We've seen how popular this switch can be, and a $8.98 sale price for the TP-Link Litewave 5-port LS1005G is one that you shouldn't ignore. It never stays on sale for long, and you can expect this limited-time deal to prove very popular. If it runs out, take a look at this Ugreen 5-port switch for just $7.99 instead. Ugreen doesn't have the same brand recognition as TP-Link, but it is a dollar less, and it should offer a similar level of functionality if you miss out on that deal.

Either way, if you're sick of WiFi drop-outs or slowdowns, then a network switch is a great and affordable option to fix the problem. The TP-Link model is our first choice, but the Ugreen alternative will work in a pinch. Either way, with Amazon's Big Spring Sale event now in full swing, we'll expect to see these switches sell out fast, so you'll need to be quick if you want to secure one.

If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, Gaming Chair, Best Wi-Fi Routers, Best Motherboard, or CPU Deals pages.

Don’t suffer lag or buffering on your home network, because there’s a seriously good TP-Link router on sale right now. The TP-Link Archer BE3600 is on sale for just £59.99, a 31% discount that brings it back down to its lowest ever price on Amazon during its Spring Sale Days event.

• Check out this deal on Amazon

This is already one of the best Wi-Fi routers you could buy on a budget, but the discount makes it even more appealing. As our TP-Link Archer BE3600 review shows, this is a router that is able to add Wi-Fi 7 support to your network on the cheap, with a few caveats, delivering strong performance at 2.4 and 5 GHz at close range.

This is a no-nonsense router with a flat, rectangular shape and four antennas for maximum coverage. It includes one 2.5 Gbps port for your WAN connection, with another 2.5 Gbps port for LAN, as well as three additional 1 Gbps LAN ports. You’ve also got a single USB 3.0 port, which you can use to hook up a printer or USB external drive. Initial setup and configuration are a breeze, too, with users able to set their own config using the router’s web portal.

The main trade-off, however, is that this router doesn’t support the full Wi-Fi 7 spec, so you’re missing the 6 GHz band. That said, performance at 2.4 GHz, which is still the dominant Wi-Fi band and one you’ll need to use to connect legacy devices, is excellent with the BE600 at close range. You'd also be expected to pay a higher price for a router with better specs.

That brings us back to the core of what makes this router so great: the price. This will be a noticeable upgrade over an older or ISP-issued router, and, for the £59.99 sale price on this TP-Link Archer BE3600, you’re getting a serious bargain. Amazon’s sale event is expected to end on March 16th; however, so you’ve not got long to pick up this bargain.

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If you're looking to upgrade your wired network, a network switch like this TP-Link Litewave 5-Port LS1005G model is the perfect option. For only £8.97, thanks to Amazon UK's Spring Sale Days event, you're getting a switch that unlocks five extra Ethernet ports for your network, hooking straight up to your existing router. You simply won't find a better way to connect to your network than a wired connection like this, especially if you're looking to max out your bandwidth for streaming or gaming.

• Check out this deal on Amazon

This is a gigabit switch, too, so not only are you able to ditch the Wi-Fi lag and interference, you're gaining a rock-solid, dedicated wired connection that won't slow you down. The LS1005G is unmanaged, so you don't have to worry about a complicated setup process, either. Configuration isn't necessary here, and you'll just need to connect an Ethernet cable between your router or modem and your switch's WAN port — the other four ports should work with your other devices immediately.

This TP-Link switch is compact, so you don't need to find a lot of physical space for it. It measures just 7.12 x 8.89 x 2.2 cm (2.8 x 3.5 x 0.9 inches) across, so it should easily fit near your existing router, or in a similarly convenient location around your home or office if you're using it elsewhere. It's fanless and completely silent during use, so it won't disrupt your home theatre or gaming setup, either.

An unmanaged switch like this TP-Link Litewave LS1005G is a good option for someone who wants a plug-and-play solution to expand their network without a difficult setup. The downside is that it won't offer the same level of customization as a (typically much more expensive) managed switch. For most users, however, that's not going to be a problem, and it should allow you to hook up almost any Ethernet-capable device in your home, whether it's a gaming PC, laptop, network-attached storage, games console, TV, IP camera, printer, or even another router or WiFi extender to your existing network.

Thanks to Amazon UK's Spring Sale Days event, you can secure a sale price of only £8.97 for this TP-Link Litewave 5-port LS1005G. That's a great price for an unmanaged router from a well-known brand, but expect to see this switch jump back up in price once the Amazon sale events on March 16th. Spending less than £10 to expand your wired LAN connectivity with gigabit speeds isn't a bad option at all, especially if you want to rid yourself of Wi-Fi dropouts or buffering issues, so be quick if you want it.

If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, Gaming Chair, Best Wi-Fi Routers, Best Motherboard, or CPU Deals pages.

Don't settle for patchy Wi-Fi connections when you're gaming or on your PC, because there's a brilliant deal on a TP-Link Lightwave 5-port unmanaged Ethernet switch right now, thanks to Amazon. It's dropped to nearly half its original price, costing just $8.98 in this limited-time sale.

• Check out this deal on Amazon

A network switch like this one will unlock five extra Ethernet ports for your network and will hook straight up to your existing router. You simply can't beat a wired LAN connection like this if you're looking to max out your internet connection for streaming or online gaming.

The best thing about the TP-Link Litewave 5-Port LS1005G is that it offers gigabit speeds, so, without slowing down, you can ditch any risk of Wi-Fi lag and interference for a rock-solid, dedicated wired connection instead. It's unmanaged, so there's no complicated setup process or configuration required — just plug your router or modem into the switch's WAN port, and the devices you hook up into the other four ports should work immediately.

You don't need a huge amount of physical space for this TP-Link switch, either. It measures 2.8 x 3.5 x 0.9 inches, so you can easily fit it around your existing router, or in a convenient place around your home or office if you're using it elsewhere. There are no fans required to cool this switch down, either, so it'll remain completely silent, meaning no disruptions to your home theater or gaming setup.

An unmanaged switch like this TP-Link Litewave LS1005G is a great option for someone who isn't a network expert, but it's important to note that it won't offer the same level of customization as a (typically much more expensive) managed switch. For most users, however, that's not going to be a problem, and it should allow you to hook up almost any Ethernet-capable device, from a gaming PC, laptop, NAS, console, TV, IP camera, printer, or even another router or WiFi extender to your existing network. No trade-offs here — it just works.

A sale price of just $8.98 for this TP-Link Litewave 5-port LS1005G is a steal, and one you can't really ignore. This limited-time deal is already proving popular, however, with almost half of the available stock claimed. If it runs out, this Ugreen 5-port switch for $8.99 is almost exactly the same price and should offer the same level of functionality. So, if you're looking to expand your wired LAN connectivity for less than $10, it could be a good alternative if you miss out on the TP-Link model.

Either way, if you're sick of WiFi drop-outs or slowdowns, then a network switch is a great and affordable option to fix the problem. With the TP-Link model selling out fast, you'd best be quick if you want to grab one for yourself.

If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, Gaming Chair, Best Wi-Fi Routers, Best Motherboard, or CPU Deals pages.

If you've ever tried watching a nice 4K movie and the stream keeps stuttering or playing an online game and your wireless connection drops out, there can be a lot of reasons why your WiFi network is getting interference. Anything from the thickness of your home walls to magnetic and radio frequencies can impact your signal strength. The absolute best way to combat this is with a cabled network setup. Yes, it might not look as neat, but you can't beat the network stability.

If your wireless network is flaky and you prefer a cabled network over mesh setups, this network switch from TP-Link could be the answer. The TP-Link TL-SG108-M2 is on sale at Amazon for just $109, reduced by $90 from the list price of $199. Checking the Camelizer (Amazon's price checker), we can see that this is just $10 above the all-time low price of $99 from last year's Black Friday sales event.

You can pick up 1Gb switches for much less. They will do an adequate job, but if you want higher data transfer speeds, the 2Gb port speeds allow you to use faster 2.5 GbE network devices, like some NAS storage setups, and also enjoy the faster speeds some internet providers deliver if you're lucky enough to live in the right area. This is ideal for gaming and high-resolution TV streams of 4K and above.

The TP-Link TL-SG108-M2 is an unmanaged plug-and-play switch that you need to connect to power and your service provider's router, and you're good to go. This switch is passively cooled and doesn't have a fan, so it runs silently. Connect everything from your PC to a NAS, console, or smart TV, and experience a fast, low-lag network.

Don't forget to look at our Amazon coupon codes for February 2025 and see if you can save on today's deal or other products at Amazon.

Network devices aren’t the sexiest upgrades and are often ignored by many enthusiasts. But if there’s more than one gamer in your home or multiple devices requiring reliable, high-speed internet, you should invest in a decent and reliable network switch. So, if you’re tired of relying on Wi-Fi with its high latency, you should check out the TP-Link TL-SG108-M2 network switch. This unmanaged 8-port 2.5 Gbit switch is now at $99.99 on Amazon — a 50% discount from its original price of $199.99.

The first version of this switch was named Tom’s Hardware’s Best All-Around Budget Network Switch in 2022, and it seems that it still delivers excellent performance for its price. What we like best about this new version is that it now has a much higher bandwidth, allowing you to use faster 2.5 GbE network devices, like some NAS, and enjoy the faster speeds some internet providers deliver.

But even if it’s much faster now, it’s still easy to set up—plug the switch into a power outlet and your router, then attach your devices to it, and you’re good to go! You don’t need to go through any complicated configuration settings to get the most speed out of it. And since it works with CAT5e, CAT6, and CAT6A cables, you don’t have to go through the expensive and time-consuming process of upgrading your in-house LAN wiring when upgrading to this network switch.

So, if you love hosting LAN parties, own multiple devices that require a fast internet connection, or have two or more people in your house who would appreciate a reliable wired connection, now is the time to upgrade from the simple router from your internet service provider. This network switch will let you unlock the speeds you’re paying for and solve your lag and latency problem at half the regular price.

We are working hard to find the best deals for you this Black Friday. If you're looking for other products, check out our Black Friday Computer Hardware Deals Live blog for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals Live blog, Monitor Deals Live, Graphics Card Deals, or CPU Deals pages.

Whatever you were doing in high school, it probably wasn't this cool. Murex Robotics, the underwater robotics team of Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire, has created what it claims is the world's smallest network switch, and for significantly less money than any of its larger counterparts. 

Designed for use in a remotely piloted underwater rover, the mrxSwitch v2.0 supplies five 100 Mbps Ethernet ports at a footprint of only 44.9mm by 42.2mm. Network switches of this form factor are typically reserved for highly embedded systems; the team prioritizes its use in remote-operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) or autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), but IoT devices and other consumer devices with space constraints may have use for network switches this small. The switch in Murex's case can allow a Raspberry Pi, NUC, or other computer to communicate with IP cameras, driver motors, or any of the rest of its tools to operate a robot underwater.

The five beige 4-pin connectors on the board are the network ports, using the Molex PicoBlade connection to save space, as multiple RJ-45 ports would dwarf the tiny board. The integrated chip onboard doing the switching is smaller than a fingernail, and the largest component, a dual-port transformer, is barely longer than a knuckle. The mrxSwitch v2.0 represents a 30% size reduction over its predecessor, along with a BOM cost reduction of 15%, even with its smart-looking custom PCB. 

Murex Robotics competes in high-school underwater robotics competitions in the MATE ROV Competition's Ranger division. Space is at a premium within the waterproofed capsule of the robot, necessitating tiny components. Most solutions for network switches of this form factor are priced at a premium due to the narrowness of the use case, with MATE-sponsored options running from $75 to $175 -- hence the decision to engineer an original solution. The mrxSwitch v2.0 stands at a current BOM price of $7. While you might not see it used in our best network switches (at least not yet), the build is a serious triumph for the young team.

For a deeper dive into the team's development process of v1.0 straight from the creators, be sure to read the team's own development blog. The 100 Mbps speed is pretty slow for today's rocket-fast standards, but at least you're only paying $7 for it. Lest we forget, some audiophiles were sold on a $4,349 "audiophile grade" network switch running fewer ports at the same speed last year.

As home networks get more complicated (and packed with more wireless devices) wired networking starts to feel almost dated. Who needs a wired connection from one of the best network switches when you can get Gigabit speeds or better from one of the best gaming routers?

But a wireless connection introduces several variables. Protocol compatibility, interference, signal-obliterating wall materials, or even poorly-designed radios and antennas can slow a speedy gigabit connection to a comparative crawl. For much more on this, see our how-to choose a gaming router feature.

Conversely, a good wired connection can cut out these and other shortcomings of an over-the-air signal, while providing faster speeds and a reliable, stable connection. But with most mainstream routers only offering just four Ethernet ports - or sometimes fewer - the best network switches step in to fill the gap, giving you more ports to plug your wired devices into. Not only that, but they can also spread out some of the load on your network, freeing your router up to carry out its primary mission of getting internet service to all the wireless devices on your network that need it.

Like the Ethernet hubs that came before them, one of the best network switches can add several ports to your network, letting you plug in more devices to your network than would otherwise be possible using the router's limited number of built-in ports.

What’s more, the best network switch can filter your LAN traffic, moving prioritized packets to the front of the line to keep things like games or 4K HDR streams running smoothly. And most normal networks don’t require more than the simple solution of an unmanaged switch.

We did some hands-on testing with several different (mostly unmanaged) network switches to see which ones are the best for most people. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but these network switches perform well and are solid options for each given use case.

Shopping Tips for Best Network Switches 

When looking for the best network switches, consider:

Number of Ports: You can get anywhere from four all the way up to 48 or more Ethernet ports. Some also have USB ports.

Managed or Unmanaged: If you just need to get wired internet access to a few devices, then you’ll want an unmanaged network switch, which we recommend for most users. This doesn’t mean the switch has no features -- unmanaged switches can often do plenty of fancy things, from traffic prioritizing QoS to loop detection.

Managed network switches are more secure and can monitor traffic for troubleshooting purposes or separate chunks of your network into their own virtual local area networks, or VLAN. If going this route, you’ll also want to make sure your router is compatible with VLANs -- a non-bridged setup using Amazon’s eero mesh routers, for instance, makes VLANs unusable.

Power Needs: Most won't need it, but certain devices can get power over Ethernet if your switch supports it.

Network Speed: Gigabit Ethernet is the minimum speed, but you should consider going with 2.5 GbE or higher, even if you don't need it right now, because future devices may benefit.

Best Network Switches You Can Buy Today

When it comes to 8-port network switches for the home or small office network, it’s hard to beat the TP-Link TL-SG108. It’s compact, has a fanless metal enclosure, plus dimmer and less distracting LEDs than some of its competitors (Don’t worry; there are still two per port, each informative based on color and/or blinking pattern). The TL-SG108 also features traffic-prioritizing QoS, full duplex flow control, auto-negotiating ports for choosing transfer speed up to a gigabit, and a simple, plug-and-play setup. This best network switch performed at rough parity with the other 8-port switches we tested and ran cool.

The one notable omission from this network switch is loop detection, which prevents your network from being slowed to a crawl or disabled entirely by looped network traffic. This can be a very important troubleshooting tool in a complicated network, with visual indicators on a switch that tell you which Ethernet ports to investigate for issues.

If loop detection is a requirement, we recommend either the ProSAFE Netgear GS108 or the Cisco CBS110-8T-D. However, each of those switches, at $40 and $68 respectively, is also significantly more expensive than the less-than-$20 TP-Link. And we do not feel that, for most people, loop detection justifies the extra cost.

Lastly, the TP-Link features a nice limited lifetime warranty, providing a nice peace of mind that you wouldn’t get from, say, the similarly inexpensive Netgear GS308, which only has a 2-year warranty. On the whole, even if you only need 5 extra ports, we recommend this switch for its price, feature set, and build quality to expand the wired capability of your network now and in the future.

After what seems like an eternity, network devices are finally beginning to embrace faster-than-gigabit connections. From routers to modems, computers to NAS, big data pipelines are starting to enter the mainstream. And that’s a good thing, particularly as we now use more data than ever before. It’s even possible to get a 2 Gbps connection now if you live in one of the cities where Google is now offering the service.

Of course, you needn’t have a connection that fast to get use out of one of the recent 2.5 GbE network switches. File transfers, home media servers, and high-capacity, high-bandwidth NAS setups can all stand to benefit from a high-bandwidth switch, and as they come out, we’ll try to put our hands on the latest and greatest to let you know how they fare. That brings us, today, to the TP-Link TL-SG105-M2: a super-fast unmanaged 5-port, 2.5 GbE switch that, while bigger than your average 5-port gigabit switches, should still fit into just about anyone’s setup - and budget, for that matter.

Along with its 8-port sibling - the TL-SG108-M2 - the TL-SG105-M2 is low-profile, easy to set up, and features a fanless design and metal enclosure that will keep it as quiet as it is fast. And because it’s a 2.5 GbE switch, you might not need to buy new cabling; as long as you’re already using Cat 5e cabling in your network, you’re good to take advantage of the 802.3bz network protocol, which promises 2.5 GbE or 5 GbE connections over 100 meters of cable. In testing, this bore out, with superfast file transfers that didn’t even blink when we loaded the network down with as much traffic as we could muster. The switch ran a little warm, though, topping out at about 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

This switch supplants our previous choice for the best 5-port switch, the QNAP QSW 1105-5T, for a few reasons. First, the TP-Link just has a bigger pipe for data, pushing a consistent 2.34 Gbps, where the QNAP, in our testing, only barely got over 2 Gbps in real-world use. It also has a slightly more space-friendly form factor. And perhaps most importantly, where the QNAP’s warranty ends at 2 years, the TP-Link TL-SG105-M2 falls in the company’s business class of switches, giving it a generous limited lifetime warranty. Lastly, the TL-SG105-M2 sports QoS - a feature typical of most unmanaged switches that is conspicuously absent on the QSW 1105-5T.

If we had to pick a couple of things that aren’t ideal about this neat little switch, it would have to be the lack of loop detection and the fact that the power supply plugs into the side opposite the ports - of course, the latter is entirely personal preference, but it can also complicate installation in some setups. The TP-Link’s list price is $129.99 - although as of the time of this writing, you can actually get it for $109 at Amazon, which is the same price as the QNAP. The TP-Link is the choice either way, but with the current price, it’s a no-brainer.

This is a complicated recommendation. Recent news concerning a privacy breach at Ubiquiti notwithstanding, we believe the Unifi USW-Flex to be the best network switch for anyone looking to bring PoE to the edge of their network. This affordable, 5-port wonder can supply up to 15.4 watts of power to each of its four output ports. Note the use of “up to” here; once you’ve got all ports occupied, the 46-watt power budget will prevent 15.4 watts going to all four ports at once. So if you are using up all of that power at every port, the fourth port gets reduced priority and lower wattage. The PeE features also only apply if the Unifi USW-Flex is powered by a proper PoE injector. If you’re uncertain which injector to buy, Ubiquiti sells a fairly inexpensive one.

Although it’s a managed switch, the Unifi USW-Flex lacks certain key features like Spanning Tree Protocol, which helps prevent switch loops, or the ability to use SSH for extensive command-line-management (although you can SSH in for some basic functionality like firmware updates), it works well as an edge-of-network device to power things like IP cameras or sensors that you may want to have minimal wiring going to.

Additionally, the USW-Flex is built for outdoor use and comes with multiple mounting options - either magnetic or pole/wall mounts - as well as a hood that can be affixed over the Ethernet ports to help prevent moisture ingress when it rains. As a quick aside, part of this switch’s outdoor-friendly design is its recessed ports, which can be hard to remove an RJ45 connector from, as there isn’t much room for your fingers to squeeze the connector’s release clip.

In testing, we found that, when using the Flex without configuration, it worked about as well as any other in this list: Transfer speeds were solid and faster than other gigabit switches tested under load. It’s worth noting here, however, that the Ubiquiti does get quite hot, sitting easily over 100 degrees Fahrenheit at idle and getting as warm as 118.7 degrees F with every port in use -- and that’s in a cool room, with plenty of air movement. It’s rated to operate in temperatures up to 149 degrees F (at 25W output - 131F at 46W), but it would still be a good idea to keep it in a shaded area if using outside, as direct summer sun could shorten its lifespan or impact performance.

The USW-Flex comes with other caveats, too. The switch is managed via a browser-based GUI (the same general-purpose interface that is used for all other UniFi gear, which is nice if you have an all-UniFi network, but irritating and confusing if you only have this switch. And though it can function without ever touching its settings, there are some you’ll have to change to access the promised capability. For instance, the switch does not default to the 802.3bt protocol that provides for the full 46-watt power budget, so you must change the power source under settings to PoE Injector.

You’ll want to be certain that the device powering it is outputting with the 802.3bt protocol, or you will not be able to get all 46 watts. The final note is applicable to managed switches in general: If setting up and using a virtual LAN, you would do well to first ensure that your router supports VLANs - Amazon’s eero, for instance, currently does not. In spite of all of this, the convenience of bringing both Gigabit Ethernet and 802.3af PoE power from four ports to anywhere in or out of your home for a hundred bucks is quite a weighty item in the “pro” column in our opinion.

In between 8-and 16-port switches, you have some funky units like this ZyXel XGS1010-12. It’s billed on the box as a desktop switch with 8 gigabit ports and four bonus ports in the form of two 2.5 GbE and two 10 GbE SFT+ uplink ports. The latter fiber Internet customers would recognize as the data port on a fiber ONT (Optical Network Terminator -- think of it like a Fiber modem for customers without last-mile copper).

Physically, the XGS1010-12 has a solid metal enclosure, a fanless design, and an external power supply, with all the ports on one edge, while the power supply connects in the back. Each port has two LEDs for power and status, with colors to indicate the speed of connection being provided. It boasts QoS, Auto MDI/MDIX in all ports, and flow control.

The switch did well in testing, putting up numbers slightly better than the QNAP on its 2.5 Gb ports, while its gigabit ports performed very well. Under heavy traffic, we saw no performance loss, which is to be expected given its total bandwidth of 66 Gbps. The ZyXel was the second-hottest of the switches tested, peaking at 100 degrees Fahrenheit under load, which is definitely going to be warm to the touch, but not concerningly so. Just make sure the box has a bit of ventilation.

Though the ZyXel XGS1010-12 will run you $150 when bought at its MSRP, the addition of two 2.5 GbE ports and two 10 GbE SFP+ uplink ports makes this a very good deal relative to similar switches, which typically go for hundreds of dollars and lack this much versatility. If you have a high-speed NAS or need a super-fast connection between a couple of your computers, this switch lets you do that on the cheap, while still serving as a great hub for your other devices.

Lastly, it is somewhat unclear what the warranty terms are for this switch (the included documentation only refers the buyer to the website, where it’s not explicit under which warranty it falls, Standard or Limited Lifetime). But we contacted Zyxel and were able to confirm that while XGS1010-12 falls under the 2-year Standard Warranty, this particular switch is among those that have had their term extended to 5 years. That still isn’t amazing, but it’s better than what you’ll get from many cheap switches.

TP-Link is once again the best network switch choice here because of its affordability. At $50 it’s not quite as much a deal as the TL-SG108, but finding a lower-cost 16-port unmanaged switch with the kind of reliability, warranty, and proven performance offered by TP-Link would be challenging and perhaps involve some good fortune.

With the TL-SG116, you’ll get the same benefits as the 8-port version: IGMP snooping, flow control, QoS, etc. It also has the same unobtrusive LEDs, metal housing, and fanless construction, and a limited lifetime warranty. Like its 8-port sibling, however, it lacks loop detection, which may be a bigger issue when you’re the type of user looking for a 16-port switch.

The TL-SG116 performed as well as can be expected in testing, with a small drag in transfer speed under load, but otherwise maintaining at least near-gigabit speeds while testing with iperf and normal file transfers, streaming, and gaming. If you have more complicated network needs, we recommend the D-Link DGS-1100-16V2. Easy Smart Managed Gigabit desktop switch, which features an approachable GUI management interface and a well-rounded feature set for $109.99.

Ever wondered if you needed an ethernet switch that has built-in power conditioning for the sake of better audio fidelity? You probably haven't, but Synergistic Research has. The company developed a wild ethernet switch that is designed to smooth out electric signals inside the switch in order to gain higher audio quality from audio streaming services, but the price point is dubious, to say the least. 

The Ethernet Switch UEF costs a substantial $2,595, which will make it appealing to only the most diehard of audiophiles. For comparison, your average, off-the-shelf 5-port GbE unmanaged switch from TP-Link costs less than $20. And a Netgear GS305P v2 will set you back $70. So stepping up to the Ethernet Switch UEF is a big ask.

The unit is equipped with Active EM Cell technology which claims to close the gap between digital audio quality and good old-fashioned analog tapes and LPs. To "further improve audio quality," the switch is constructed from a solid billet of aluminum and uses carbon fiber to eliminate chassis vibrations from making their way into the switch (which the company claims could interfere with the digital signal). There's even an optional SR Ground Block that serves as a ground for the switch.

According to a review by Robert Youman from Positive Feedback, the ethernet switch does make an impact on audio streaming quality. He notes that when using the switch to stream audio online, the detail of the music is equal to the best files stored locally on his hard drive. He says he even prefers it to vinyl recordings in some cases. 

However, the reviewer says, "This review is based on my subjective requirements, my subjective ears, my specific system configuration, and my specific listening room." This means there are no actual measurements of sound quality, so you'll need to take his observations with a grain of salt. 

More specifically, Youman states that there's a more correct amount of coherent attack, sustain and decay in the playback. In his conclusion, he points out that he thinks the Ethernet Switch UEF is definitely a great investment if you listen to high-resolution audio files that are now becoming more and more common to find online.

But we must caution that this is just one review, and we'd wait to hear more opinions before we declare that Synergistic Research has hit a bulls-eye. In the past, pure digital recordings have supposedly been inferior to more analog audio solutions due to audio compression and other issues like signal interference — the latter can especially be true if you use a PC with cheaper built-in motherboard audio, so that the digital to analog conversion happens within the relatively noisy confines of your PC case.

More to the point, short of some terrible components causing bits to flip — which would compromise any data traveling over a network switch — digital signals don't improve. The hardware either gets the complete transmission or it fails and repeats. The only real candidate for loss is in the digital to analog conversion, which the switch doesn't handle. But audiophiles will swear otherwise, in which case perhaps this product can join the many others of its ilk.

TP-Link has announced a new family of multi-gigabit switches designed primarily for homes and small offices. The 2.5GbE and 10GbE switches are reasonably priced — one 2.5GbE model is only $130 — and are designed for advanced users that need faster wired network speeds as they use multi-gig NAS, Wi-Fi 6 access points, and other bandwidth-hungry devices.

The newly announced family of switches includes the TL-SG105-M2 5-port 2.5GbE desktop switch, the TL-SG108-M2 8-port 2.5GbE desktop switch, and the TL-SG3210XHP-M2 JetStream managed switch that has eight RJ45 2.5GbE ports as well as two SFP+ 10GbE ports.

The switches are backward compatible with 100Mbps and GbE over CAT5 copper cables, yet to hit 10GbE speeds, the highest-end model requires SFP+ cables, which are not common at homes or SMB offices.

The 5-port TL-SG105-M2 and the 8-port TL-SG108-M2 switches are rather basic fanless devices that can automatically sense link speeds and intelligently fine-tune for compatibility and optimal performance for all devices. The switches come in metal chassis and will fit almost any home design (assuming, of course, that they are not hidden). 

The 5-port switch is immediately available for $130, whereas the 8-port model carries a $200 MSRP.

Being a managed switch, the TL-SG3210XHP-M2 JetStream is of course inherently more advanced than its cheaper counterparts. The unit has eight 2.5GbE 802.3at/af-compliant PoE+ ports, two 10 Gbps SFP+ slots, and two ports for management (an RJ45 and a mini-USB). TP-Link positions this switch for relatively large networks employing both wired and wireless clients. Since it is supposed to have rather serious switching capacity, it uses up to 240W of power and has active cooling.

The switch supports a host of security capabilities, including IP-MAC-Port binding, ACL, Port Security, DoS defend, Storm control, DHCP snooping, 802.1X and radius authentication. L2/L3/L4 QoS and IGMP snooping for voice and video applications. In addition, the switch is Omada SDN compatible and features Zero-Touch Provisioning and intelligent monitoring.

The TL-SG3210XHP-M2 JetStream is of course not exactly cheap, but for $350, it is certainly not expensive.

Nowadays, many individuals and small businesses need to transfer large amounts of data around homes or offices, so they need something faster than GbE networks. While there are numerous reasonably-priced 10GbE network cards and motherboards with built-in 10GbE controllers, 10GbE networks have not really taken off even with copper cables because 10GbE switches have been prohibitively expensive so far. It looks like things are starting to change as TP-Link just began offering inexpensive 5-port and 8-port 10GbE switches.

TP-Link's 5-port TL-SX105 and 8-port TL-SX1008 10GbE switches are based on unknown hardware, but they feature a 100Gbps and a 160Gbps switching capacity, so they should be good enough to connect several 10GbE devices. The switches are backward compatible with 100Mbps, GbE, 2.5GbE, and 5GbE connections, yet they have to use CAT6 or CAT6a copper cables to hit 10GbE speeds. Both units come in metal chassis. The smaller model is cooled passively, whereas the bigger unit uses a fan that adjusts its speed based on load and temperature.

The 5-port TL-SX105 and the 8-port TL-SX1008 10GbE switches recently showed up in Tokyo, Japan, reports Akiba PC Hotline. The five-port model is priced at ¥29,900 including tax, whereas the SKU with eight 10GbE connectors costs ¥39,900.

In the U.K., both models are available for pre-order for £239.99 and £329.99 at Scan.co.uk, but their ETA date is overdue since March 13, 2021. At this point, we have no idea about MSRPs of TP-Link's TL-SX105 and TL-SX1008 switches in the U.S. or when they will be available on this side of the pond. Meanwhile, if we exclude taxes, the smaller model will likely carry a $275 MSRP, whereas the bigger version will cost around $450.

TP-Link is known for its reasonably priced products, so it is not surprising that the company is among the first to bring inexpensive 5-port and 8-port 10GbE switches to market. Obviously, if one company can build such products, other manufacturers will eventually follow. 

Technically, Asus has offered its XG-U2008 switch for years, and at times it could be bought for $230, but this product had only two 10GbE ports, which to a large degree ruined its appeal among users with more than two 10GbE devices.  

Intel on Monday announced that it signed an agreement to acquire Barefoot Networks for an undisclosed amount. Barefoot is an Ethernet switch silicon provider and one of the frontrunners in the programmable networking paradigm. Intel is looking to spread Barefoot’s programmable networking paradigm to more customers and is also likely hoping to drive synergy with its own silicon photonics business.

Barefoot represents an emerging player in a market dominated by Broadcom and, to a lesser extent, by Mellanox. Through the acquisition, Intel gets access to Barefoot's Ethernet switch silicon and software capabilities via its Tofino series of switching silicon and P4 networking programming language, which is gaining popularity. 

The Tofino 2 series of switch chips debuted late last year with a bandwidth up to 12.8 Tbps, fast enough for 64-port full-duplex 100GbE switches. Interestingly, as The Next Platform detailed, the Tofino 2 series consists of a chiplet design with a 7nm switch ASIC and transceiver chiplets on what is presumably a 16nm class process.

Navin Shenoy, executive vice president of Intel’s data center group, in a statement said Barefoot is "a great complement to our existing connectivity offerings."

"Barefoot Networks will add deep expertise in cloud network architectures, P4-programmable high-speed data paths, switch silicon development, P4 compilers, driver software, network telemetry and computational networking. Most important, this is one of the most talented and experienced teams in this domain in the industry," Shenoy said.

Although financial details of the deal were not announced, Barefoot has raised $155.4 million over several rounds.  Intel expects the deal to close in Q3.

The Ethernet Market

This marks the second big acquisition in the networking space this year, as Nvidia acquired Mellanox for $6.9 billion in March, outbidding Intel in the process. While Broadcom is the leader in the switching space, Mellanox is the leader in Ethernet adapters.

Now Intel is adding a key component to its networking portfolio. Intel’s main product in this area is its Omni-Path fabric (a competitor to Mellanox’ Infiniband), the second version of which is scheduled to launch later this year and offer 200 Gbps. Intel also has a portfolio of optics and cables, ethernet controllers and network adapters.

In terms of network adapters, earlier this year Intel announced its Columbiaville Ethernet 800 Series for Q4 availability with 100 Gbps Ethernet (up from the 40 Gbps of its 700 Series). However, 100 Gbps Ethernet has been in the market for a few years now and is also a generation behind Intel's own 200 Gbps Omni-Path. However, 10GbE is still the largest Ethernet market.

The Silicon Photonics Play

A deeper look at Intel’s networking portfolio reveals what might actually be the most important reason for the acquisition (this was not mentioned in Intel's announcement): the tight synergy between Intel’s silicon photonics offering and the switching silicon.

Currently, Intel’s silicon photonics (just like regular copper) manifests itself as a pluggable optics form factor. They are transceivers that are plugged into switches and fire laser pulses that are transported via optical fiber. The 400GbE generation will start to ramp by the end of this year in this same traditional form factor. However, the pluggable form factor is reaching its limitations in areas like power consumption.

Beyond that, Intel is looking to further integrate its silicon photonics by co-packaging it together with the switch ASIC, providing improved cost, power and bandwidth density. Facebook showed a similar proof-of-concept last year.

With switch silicon and silicon photonics inevitably moving towards a co-packaged solution, it was just a matter of time before Intel bought a switch silicon company and sought further integration.

Photo Credits: Intel 

LAS VEGAS, NV -- Although Cherry of course has its low-profile ML switches, the company will quietly admit that the two-decade-old design is lacking, especially given the surge of low-profile switches from the likes of TTC, Adomax (Flaretech), and of course its primary rival, Kaihua. Thus was born the need for a better Cherry-made low-profile switch, which the company has dubbed “Cherry MX Low Profile RGB.”

Cherry reps told us that customer demand pushed the company to develop lower-profile switches, although clearly there were market forces at work, as well. There’s a small arms race for the next typing space, and right now slim desktop mechanical keyboards are a new category, but laptops--well, the opportunity in the laptop space is enormous.

Teardown And Specs

Designed for both laptops and slim desktop keyboards, the whole package is a hair under 12mm tall (11.9mm). In order to better accommodate the electronics under the switch, the bottom of the housing has cavities etched out. Incredibly, that buys another couple of millimeters of space under certain parts of the switch. 

The switch promises that same 50M click performance as its larger desktop counterparts. It uses a single-pole contact, and it has SMD LEDs that are mounted directly onto the PCB (which also helps with the space issue).

This is an “RGB” switch, meaning it has a clear housing. RGB switches are sometimes a curse and a blessing, because light bleeds profusely from under the keycaps (which is a desirable effect sometimes), whereas a typical opaque switch housing with an LED mount offers reduced brightness and uneven shine. Cherry sought to ameliorate both problems by making the bottom of the switch housing translucent instead of transparent and also by creating a crescent-shaped opening for the LED to shine through. The idea there is that the crescent will both let light shine brightly through but also direct it a little more widely under the keycap.

The stem is the classic Cherry cross design, but the company opted to employ the same sort of pipe that Kaihua employed on its Box switches. This helps to prevent moisture and crumbs from penetrating past the switch housings and causing damage (it gives these Cherry switches an IP40 protection rating), which is especially important if they’re deployed on laptops.

Although aftermarket keycap enthusiasts may be salivating at the presence of the cross stem design, note that only lower-profile keycaps will work; because of the height of the stem, a full-size keycap would strike the top panel of the keyboard before the switch bottoms out. On the other hand, that opens things up for a whole new family of aftermarket low-profile Cherry-compatible designs.

Note that although Cherry did not state definitively whether or not it had any specific plans to make Brown and Blue versions of the MX Low-Profile RGB switch, the company is considering it. Certainly a wait-and-see approach is wise, but it’s almost a certainty that we’ll see additional version of this switch within the next product cycle.

The total travel is 3.2mm, and it’s worth noting how tight the tolerance is there, at 0.25mm; often you’ll see 0.5mm, although TTC claims 0.3mm. The difference between 0.3mm and 0.25mm is minute to say the least, but perhaps Cherry was merely trying to make a statement by halving Kaihua’s tolerance spec.

The actuation point is a full 2mm above the end of the full travel, at 1.2mm. The force curve for this switch is quite flat. The initial force is actually 40g, which is heavier than you’d expect, and the operating force is barely heavier, at 45g.

A Cornucopia Of Designs

Cherry had several prototype designs in its suite bearing the new switches; Cooler Master had a non-working prototype in its suite, too.

By far the best one, in our subjective opinion, is the Pok3r. It feels amazing--just firm enough, likely aided by the metal chassis--with a keycap profile that suits it nicely. It's dressed in PBT keycaps with the popular throwback-style colorways, and the caps are tightly spaced.

The Cooler Master concept will be most desirable to people who want to have a keyboard in a communal family or office space but dislike both the black chassis/bright lights gamery designs and the retro/aftermarket keycap looks. In short: It looks like Apple could have made it, which appeals to a lot of people.

Ducky is taking a crack at this, too. On its full-size black keyboard, it employed short but concave PBT keycaps and a top panel design that contains the backlighting a bit. DataComp’s version of a low-profile keyboard has a smaller, more compact layout, and the caps are a vintage shape--just sawed off at the bottom to accommodate the shallower travel. Uniqey had a little four-switch demo keypad in the suite with prototypes of low-profile GMK keycaps, too.

Here’s the takeaway from the above: There’s already a variety of keycap profiles in the works. The market will clearly not be limited to chiclet caps or any other lone choice.

Performance Notes

We’ve been able to spend a good bit of time with a variety of low-profile switches at this point, and we’ve discovered that generally speaking, the construction of the keyboard in which they reside has a great deal to do with how they feel. With some of these prototype designs, we can say with confidence (and without denigrating any other switches) that the Cherry MX Low-Profile RGB Red switch is everything you want from a low-profile switch. It’s firm enough and feels stable, with a strong rebound, and the cross stem surely adds in keycap stability.

Look for some, or all, of these designs (and more) to emerge over the next year or so.

Cherry MX Silent switches are nothing particularly new, but until now, they were limited to one type (linear Red switches) and one company--Corsair. Now, though, the Corsair exclusivity has expired, leaving other companies free to implement the quiet switches onto their own keyboards.

Further, Cherry opted to add a new switch type to the silent crew with a Black option. Now, then, there are four total Cherry MX Silent switches: Silent Red, Silent Black, Silent RGB Red, and Silent RGB Black.

The “silent” part is achieved via a rubber pad that dampens the sound of both the switch bottoming out the rebound noise. Note that otherwise, the specifications of the switches are identical to those of their non-silent counterparts. It’s worth noting that both Red and Black switches are linear, meaning there’s no extra click within the key travel.

As indicated in the table below, there’s not much difference between the four Silent MX switches (the clear switch housings on the RGB versions notwithstanding) other than the force required for operation. Reds are quite light; Blacks offer a firmer feel for those who like linear switches but not the lightness of Reds.

Between MX Silent and standard MX switches, there’s a slight difference in the pretravel and total travel, due to the added rubber components.

There have been no non-Corsair keyboards announced to date that have Silent MX switches on board, but we expect to see a glut of them relatively soon. Even hardcore mechanical keyboard fans generally admit that their clicking and clacking can get a bit grating in noise-sensitive settings such as offices, dorm rooms, and small apartments. Reducing the noise without losing much of anything in the way of performance will surely attract a few buyers. (Alternately, you can use a third-party dampening system on your existing switches.)

Specifications And Features

It's probably safe to say that wireless connectivity is more ubiquitous than wired connections in the home. Even still, there's a void that a simple network switch can fill. Such a device facilitates range that doesn't wane across the house and provides consistent performance, regardless of who's using the microwave. Those factors are important if you need a steady connection for streaming high-quality audio and video, or transferring large files. 

Today, we're reviewing the Linksys SE4008 WRT Gigabit Switch, an interesting-looking networking device with styling reminiscent of Linksys' family of WRT routers, both in color and shape. Specifically, this switch was conceptualized as a stacking pair with the WRT1900AC router, but is also stackable with the WRT1900ACS and WRT1200AC devices. If the switch is installed along with a compatible router, Linksys emphasizes that it should be placed underneath to allow heat to escape from the sides and bottom.

Linksys is now owned by Belkin, but it still provides a range of switches that are appropriate for the home. Its SE4008 WRT falls around the middle of the price spectrum compared to stablemates like the SE1500 and SE3024. However, as mentioned, the SE4008 WRT is special due to its aesthetics and its ability to pair with compatible routers, even though it commands a premium price over the similar SE2800 eight-port switch. 

Specifications

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Features

The SE4008 WRT's specifications include a 128KB memory buffer, an 8000-entry MAC address table, an MTBF of approximately 853,300 hours and status LEDs for connectivity/activity (there's a switch on the back to turn them off). The unit utilizes the typical store-and-forward method of passing data along.

The SE4008 WRT is compliant with 802.3az Energy-Efficient Ethernet and 802.3x flow control. It also supports network standards like 802.3 10BASE-T, 802.3u 100BASE-T and 802.3ab 1000BASE-T, with all ports auto-sensing and able to adjust to the fastest speed supported on the connecting device, up to gigabit link rates. Even though the SE4008 WRT does not use much power, it can turn off unused ports or those in which the plugged-in client is powered down.

Lastly, the SE4008 WRT includes a quality-of-service feature (IEEE 802.1p) that automatically prioritizes network traffic for video and audio applications, which may help smooth out streaming. The 802.1p standard operates at the data-link layer by setting a three-bit value in the MAC header to indicate prioritization level. There are multiple levels of prioritization, ranging from 0 up to 7. If network congestion occurs, packets that have been assigned higher priorities receive preferential treatment.

In The Box

The SE4008's bundle is fairly limited. Rubber grip pads are already installed on the switch's feet. You also get a power adapter, a documentation CD and the switch itself. Unlike most other switches that can be wall-mounted, the SE4008 does not come with anchors or screws. However, because this switch will most likely be stacked with a compatible router, this omission is not egregious. 

The SE4008 is available online from vendors like Newegg, Amazon and TigerDirect. Its MSRP is $80, however, current prices range from $51 to $70. That's quite a bit of cash compared to competing switches with similar features. You'll have to decide if the expense is worth the fairly niche convenience of stacking another Linksys device, and if you're really attached to that nostalgic appearance. The SE4008 comes with a one-year warranty.

Installation And Tear-Down

Comparison Ethernet Switches

Installation

The SE4008 WRT is fairly bulky, measuring 246 x 194 x 62 millimeters (W x D x H). This could cause issues if you're trying to install the switch on a space-constrained desk. Then again, if you're stacking the SE4008 WRT anyway, you might not even notice your networking equipment one device taller. The switch's feet have a layer of rubber, which helps the switch's stability regardless of whether a router is placed on top.

The feet play host to four slots you can use to mount the device either vertically or horizontally on the wall. You'll have to acquire the wall anchors or screws though; Linksys doesn't include them. The ports are located in the back of the switch, which could cause confusion if the LEDs are turned off and you're not able to see whether a client is plugged in.

A bundled wall wart supplies 12V/1A of power. It faces sideways, so make sure you have the room on your UPS or surge protector to plug the adapter in.

The SE4008 WRT was designed with a wing of plastic that juts away from the back of the enclosure. It covers the switch port area from above, so this minor feature is a particularly welcome addition on a desk, where liquid can be spilled and dust accumulates.

Tear-Down

The SE4008 WRT's build quality is fantastic for a device with a plastic case. The chassis is heavy-duty and adds a satisfying amount of weight to the switch. There's little to no observable flexing when pressure is applied to the body. Every piece of the switch fits together flush, and, again, the aesthetics remind us of WRT products of the past. Ventilation is more than adequate thanks to openings on the bottom and sides.

Gaining access to the internals proved difficult, necessitating a Dremel tool. If there is another way to get inside, I was not able to find it.

What holds the SE4008 WRT together, aside from a couple of screws on the bottom, are sets of unreachable tabs that are tough to disengage. Given the difficulty in opening its case, the SE4008 WRT may be cheap enough that warranty repair work is out of the question. A direct replacement is more likely if your unit fails during its first year. Once the main pieces are clipped together at the factory, the plastic shell looks like it's never meant to be opened again.

With a heat sink affixed to the Realtek RTL8370 controller, thermal issues shouldn't be a concern. The sink appeared to do its job adequately during use, as the case only became slightly warm to the touch.

Test Results And Conclusion

Benchmarks were run using IxChariot, and graphs are shown with averages. There were four different types of results gathered during the testing: straight cable, point to point, bidirectional and mesh. Be sure to read our How We Test Ethernet Switches article for more in-depth details on our testing procedures, and if you're interested, take a look at the Unmanaged Gigabit Ethernet Switch Roundup, which compares other competing switches.

The straight cable results were gathered by connecting the server and client to each other with a patch cable, thus excluding a switch. Point-to-point results were generated by connecting the server and client to each switch and passing information from the server to the client. Bi-directional testing involved connecting the server and client to the switch, and passing data between both at the same time. Mesh testing results came from conducting a test with three pairs: endpoint to endpoint, endpoint to server, and server to endpoint.

The straight-cable testing creates a baseline we can compare to our other results once the switch is introduced to the network. As we can see, the endpoints utilize most of the 1 Gb/s connection.

In point-to-point testing, the SE4008 keeps pace with other unmanaged switches. The results are fairly consistent across the field, as all of these contenders easily handle the traffic load of just two endpoints.

The switches are not burdened in the least, and even though they create an obstacle for the data to pass through, that extra device does not affect performance significantly. With only two endpoints on the switch, the SE4008 does not need to reference many entries in its table nor dedicate much processing power to routing information where it needs to go.

Again, the SE4008 posts results similar to those of the other switches. The performance differences can possibly be attributed to the unique hardware platforms inside each switch. Despite any outliers, the averages were similar between the products. So, in a real-world arrangement that mimics the bi-directional test, there shouldn't be a discernible difference.

The mesh testing reveals some interesting results. When the switches are loaded with traffic, they start to stand apart from each other. The products do sport similar features, such as buffer sizes and table entries. However, the Netgear features a larger memory buffer, which might be associated with the GS308's consistently better results. Linksys' SE4008 posts decent numbers, even when it's loaded down with traffic.

These slower numbers (at least compared to the point-to-point and bi-directional tests) could again be attributed to each switch's SoC. Once the devices are hit with data, there are more packets to process and pass along, consuming resources and resulting in longer processing times. 

Response time is consistent across all of the products. Really, any difference between them is negligible.

Conclusion

With so many options armed with similar features and performance—such as the Netgear GS308, ZyXEL GS-108B and Amped Wireless G8SW—it's hard to justify Linksys' price premium on the SE4008 WRT, particularly if you are not planning to stack it with a compatible router like the WRT1900ACS. It certainly doesn't earn a recommendation based on value. But if the aesthetic aspect is important enough to you and you're looking for a good unmanaged switch, the SE4008 is still a respectable choice.

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Eric Bliss is an Associate Contributing Writer for Tom's Hardware. Follow us on Twitter @tomshardware, on Facebook and on Google+.

Introduction

In our Network Switch 101 article, we defined unmanaged switches and discussed the features they provide, hopefully giving you a general understanding of switching technology.

For this initial review, we rounded up three unmanaged switches to test: Netgear's GS308, Amped Wireless' G8SW and ZyXEL's GS-108B. Each contender comes armed with eight 1 Gb/s ports.

Specifications

Naturally, there are features shared across all three models, including a memory buffer, a MAC table and jumbo frame support.

The memory buffer stores incoming packets until the switch can determine where they're going and the interface to send them out over. The MAC table is a repository for physical addresses. When a device sends out information, the switch records its address and corresponding port. The switch looks to the MAC table as a reference to see if it already knows what port to send information out of. This greatly reduces traffic, so the switch is not flooded entirely once physical addresses are known. Jumbo frames are Ethernet frames that contain more than 1500 bytes, with 9000 bytes tending to be used as a conventional MTU size. Jumbo frame support can be useful for lowering resource utilization, as the switch's CPU only has to process one large frame instead of multiple smaller ones, and increasing throughput.

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Netgear GS308

Netgear's GS308 sits in the middle of the company's SOHO (small office/home office) family of eight-port GbE switches. Interestingly, it's the only model from the family housed in a metal chassis.

Features

The GS308's features include a 192KB memory buffer, an 8000-entry MAC table, an MTBF of 365,500 hours and status LEDs for system power and link connection/activity. In addition, the GS308 is compliant with 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet, and supports the 802.3ab 1000BASE-T, 802.3u 100BASE-TX, 802.3 10BASE-T and 802.3x flow control standards. The GS308's memory buffer is the largest of our three contenders. This can be an important feature, as it allows the switch to store more information before it is passed to the proper destination, potentially allowing larger workloads to be processed through the switch at once.

Installation

Due to the GS308's dimensions (6.22in wide, 4.02in deep, 1.02in tall), installation should not be an issue, even in a tight space. The switch comes with four sticky rubber feet that attach to the unit's underside. They provide a reasonable amount of grip and also help elevate the switch a bit, aiding heat dissipation. The GS308 is able to operate with temperatures ranging from 32 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (0 to 40 degrees Celsius).

The other installation option is mounting the switch to a wall using two notches on the base of the metal housing. Those notches are meant to accommodate screw heads for vertical positioning. Netgear could have made this easier, though, if it bundled a paper template to more accurately show where the anchors need to be screwed in.

Once installed, a wall wart supplies 12V/1A power, while consuming a maximum of 3.8W.

General Observations

Plugging in and removing patch cables is easy and does not require a substantial amount of force. The interior build quality is passable; pieces fit the way they should, and the soldering appears to be good. In the pictures below, we see that Broadcom provides the switch's SoC. And even though there is no heat sink, the switch never demonstrated thermal issues during testing.

In The Box

The switch and accessories are packaged securely, with every item required for installation bundled inside. There are anchors and screws for wall mounting, and round rubber foot pads that can be attached to the bottom of the switch. Also included is a basic installation guide that shows how the switch may be connected. The guide provides basic physical information, including the switch's operating temperature range, power consumption and dimensions. Of course, the box also contains the external power supply. 

Warranty And Pricing

As of this writing, the Netgear GS308 is available through retailers like Amazon and Newegg. The average price seems to be between $30 and $35, depending on whether it's on sale and/or where you find it. The switch also comes with a limited two-year warranty in the U.S. and Canada, with basic technical support provided for 90 days from the date of purchase.

Amped Wireless G8SW

The eight-port Amped Wireless G8SW is the company's entry-level product in a three-switch family. It's similar in features to Amped's other two offerings, but lacks the G16SW's extra ports, the GP48SW's PoE ports and a rackmount/internal power supply.

Features

The G8SW supports 8000 MAC addresses and has 128KB of buffer memory. The switch also supports 9K jumbo frames, status LEDs for power and link activity, MDI/MDI-X auto crossover, 802.3 10BASE-T, 802.3u 100BASE-TX, 802.3ab 1000BASE-T, 802.3x Full Duplex Flow Control and 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet.

Installation

Installation should be relatively easy. The switch fits into many areas because of its small footprint (6.16 x 3.5 x 1in). However, the Ethernet ports and power connector are on the back of the switch, which may be an issue if you want to power and data/patch runs separate.

The Amped Wireless G8SW comes with four small adhesive rubber feet that can be attached to the underside, elevating the product and helping to keep it in its operating range of 32 and 105 degrees F (0 to 10.5 degrees C). The G8SW can also be wall-mounted using two notches on the bottom of the metal housing. As no switch template is provided, the distance between notches needs to be measured out manually. Once installed, the provided wall wart supplies 5V/1A power.

General Observations

Ports are seated securely in the chassis; they don't flex when you insert or remove cables. The internal construction appears solid; all of the pieces fit snugly. The soldering appears to be high-quality, and a heat sink rests on top of the unidentified SoC.

In The Box

The G8SW and its accessories are packaged securely, helping mitigate shipping damage. Amped's bundle includes round rubber feet, a basic installation guide and a 5V/1A wall wart power supply. The adhesive pads can be attached to the bottom of the switch to provide stability, along with elevation. The basic installation guide shows you how the switch can be hooked up. It also contains basic information about the switch like its operating temperatures, features and dimensions.

Warranty And Pricing

The switch is available from many online retailers, including Newegg, Amazon and Micro Center. The average price ranges from $43 to $50, depending on whether the product is on sale. Warranty coverage is limited to one year, and if you need to use the coverage, the returned product will continue under the original warranty duration or 30 days, whichever is longer.

ZyXEL GS-108B

ZyXEL's GS-108B fits into the company's line-up alongside the GS-108S and the five-port GS-105S.

Features

The GS-108B supports 8000 MAC addresses and has a 128KB memory buffer. It supports 9K jumbo frames, status LEDs for power and link activity, MDI/MDI-X auto crossover, 802.3 10BASE-T, 802.3u 100BASE-TX, 802.3ab 1000BASE-T, 802.3x Full Duplex Flow Control, and 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet. The GS-108B is housed in a silver-colored metal housing that should prove durable and help with thermal performance.

Installation

You shouldn't have any trouble installing the compact GS-108B, which measures 6.46 x 3.86 x 1.02 inches. However, the GS-108B's data ports and power connector are located on the back of the switch; as with Amped's G8SW switch, this could be an issue if you want to separate the cables. Four adhesive rubber feet can be securely attached to the bottom of the chassis for a bit of elevation, providing a non-slip base. Wall mounting is also an option, with two notches cut out on the underside of the metal housing. A wall wart adapter supplies 9V/0.85A power.

General Observations

The switch ports fit securely within the case, and we didn't notice any flex after repeatedly inserting and removing cables. Inside, everything looks to be in place. A heat sink tops the unidentified SoC, which, along with the metal enclosure, should help dissipate thermal energy. The housing is built well, though the front is covered with a plastic strip that may become scratched over time and detract from the product's aesthetics.

In The Box

The box contents are packaged securely. Inside, you'll find a smaller box containing four adhesive pads, a basic installation guide, a power adapter and a warranty instruction paper. The installation guide shows an example of how the switch can be connected to other devices.

Warranty And Pricing

At the time of writing, the GS-108B is available from online retailers like Newegg and Amazon. The average price is between $35 and $45, depending on where you find it and if it's on sale.

As for warranty coverage, ZyXEL guarantees the hardware for two years. After providing proof of purchase, ZyXEL will, at its discretion, repair or replace the product or components, or it may elect to refund the switch's original purchase price. Repaired or replaced hardware is protected for the remainder of the original warranty period or 60 days, whichever is longer. The purchaser is responsible for all shipping costs associated with the service.

Test Results

We collected four types of benchmark results in ixChariot: straight cable, point-to-point, bi-directional and mesh. The straight cable results were gathered by connecting the server and client to each other with a patch cable, thus excluding a switch. Point-to-point results were generated by connecting the server and client to each switch and passing information from the server to the client. Bi-directional testing involved connecting the server and client to the switch, and passing data between both at the same time. Mesh testing results came from running the point-to-point test, while also adding three other machines that simultaneously generate traffic to saturate the switch.

In theory, a 1Gb/s connection should be able to move 1 Gb/s. In the real world, however, hardware, software and environmental variables limit maximum performance. A straight cable naturally performs best since there's nothing in the middle to affect the results.

Once you add a switch the mix, you see that Netgear's GS308 beats out the competition in most disciplines. Amped's G8SW takes second place, most notably posting lower mesh and bi-directional results.

Our numbers demonstrate minimal differences between the three switches, except when you get to the mesh metric. Even then, you wouldn't notice that delta in a real-world setting.

Despite fairly consistent response times across all three switches, the Netgear GS308 switch technically take first place. Amped Wireless' G8SW posts a good result as well, but cannot match Netgear's GS308 or ZyXEL's GS-108B.

Conclusion

Netgear GS308

Amped Wireless G8SW

ZyXEL GS-108B

Final Thoughts

Given the number of unmanaged switches out there, it's hard to pick the right one. But with some benchmark data to lean on and a lot of feature parity between the models we reviewed, you shouldn't expect many surprises.

With that said, we believe that Netgear's GS308 offers the best performance for your money. Its benchmark results were generally the strongest, its Ethernet ports face the front, facilitating more installation options, and its memory buffer is the largest. Impressively, it's also the most affordable option in our round-up. As a result, the GS308 emerges as our top choice.

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Eric Bliss is an Associate Contributing Writer for Tom's Hardware.

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Introduction

Despite all of the mobile hardware that wireless connections service, the fastest wireless technologies can't compete with the fastest wired networks. A good Ethernet switch serves up exceptional performance, while enabling the features and capabilities needed to build robust home, small business and enterprise networks. If you would like to know more about how switches work, be sure to read our Network Switch 101.

Networking switches take many forms, ranging from managed and unmanaged switches to those armed with Power over Ethernet and other advanced features. There are many ways to compare and contrast networking hardware, but the Tom's Hardware team created a suite to reflect what we felt were the most important metrics: throughput and response time. Our methodology involves multiple benchmarks, some of which illustrate peak performance, and some designed to generate real-world results under plausible work conditions.

Test System Specifications

We use four systems for our network switch testing:

Test Bench: Tom's Hardware Reference System

Test NUC: Intel NUC5i7RYH

Test Server: ASRock Vision X 471D

Test Laptop: Sony VAIO SVS13112FXS

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Testing Suite And Methodology

Our testing suite is split into four different benchmarks: Point to Point, Bi-Directional, Mesh Interference and Response Time. Tests are conducted using Ixia's IxChariot software to measure throughput and response time between systems.

Before the switches are tested, an Ixia endpoint agent is installed on our three client systems (the server is already running IxChariot and does not need another endpoint). Downloadable from the Ixia website, the agent uses a preconfigured script to measure and report the results we're looking to generate via IxChariot's interface.

A control is a test in which the subject is not influenced by variables. In this case, our control is a straight cable test; no Ethernet switch is involved. Throughput is measured from point to point between the ASRock VisionX and Sony Vaio.

Using IxChariot and each computer' IP address, we created an endpoint pair, designating our ASRock Vision X server as Endpoint 1 and our Sony VAIO as Endpoint 2. We chose a script aimed at measuring throughput over Gigabit Ethernet; the same script was used for our Point to Point, Bi-Directional and Interference tests. All other settings remained the same.

Under Run Options, "Run for a fixed duration" is set to one minute. The control test and all subsequent tests are conducted under a one-minute cap.

Once the test is complete, the Throughput tab illustrates the minimum, maximum and average speeds. The line graph below illustrates performance at each point in time. We'll be comparing this data to the results from our Point to Point, Bi-Directional and Mesh Interference tests later.

Our first variable metric is the Point-to-Point TCP Throughput Test, which measures the throughput from one endpoint to another. The process is exactly the same as the Control Test, but it runs through our network switches. As in the Control Test, the active members are the ASRock VisionX and Sony VAIO laptop; the other two computers are offline.

The image above shows how IxChariot charts its results. In this Point-to-Point Throughput Test, you can see a slight but evident difference between the Control Test and Network Switch runs. The delta isn't particularly noteworthy; after all, adding a switch simply introduces a bridge for information from the server to travel through—a lone traveler on an empty bridge should not encounter much resistance on its journey. Likewise, our stream of benchmark data is not obstructed.

Testing throughput from the server to the laptop (and vice versa) over a network switch introduces more network traffic and produces lower average throughput. As with the previous benchmark, one pair designates the server as Endpoint 1 and the laptop as Endpoint 2. A second pair is created in IxChariot with the laptop as Endpoint 1 and the ASRock VisionX as Endpoint 2.

This chart shows the effect of driving more traffic through a network switch, demonstrating lower throughput across the board. In our bridge allegory, the traffic would be two travelers crossing the same bridge. Depending on how wide and well-built the bridge is, they might bump into each other, brush shoulders or walk past each other effortlessly.

The Mesh/Interference Test generates even more traffic through the switch. The results from the Mesh Test will suggest the performance level you might expect in a practical setting. After all, network switches are meant to have multiple devices connected to them. We want to stress each switch by flooding it with increasing amounts of data. Adding traffic in measured increments gives us an idea of how well the switch performs with two, three, four or more clients attached.

This test splits connections into three pairs: test bench to the NUC, NUC to the server, and server to the laptop.

In this example, more travelers with different destinations use the bridge, and contact with other travelers slows them down. Adding more connections to the switch diminishes overall throughput. Certain pairings, such as that of our Intel NUC to the server, delivered lower average, minimum and maximum throughput in multiple tests. If our bridge were bigger and sturdier, there would be less interference. A business-class switch, for example, is meant to handle high levels of traffic with numerous systems connected.

Response Time Tests are a little bit different. The same procedure for creating a Point-to-Point Test is used—a pairing between the ASRock VisionX and Sony VAIO laptop is created, and the run duration is set to one minute. But we use a different script tailored to measuring the response time of the switch.

After the test is completed, this error message should appear: "IxChariot cannot show the response time if the results are below 20 milliseconds." To find the results of the test, switch to the Transaction Rate tab rather than the Response Time tab. There, you find the Transaction Rate average. To find the response time, use the following equation: 1/Average Transaction Rate x 1000 = Response Time

The lower the number, the faster the response time.

In this sample, the Transaction Rate average is 3437.435. Divide 1 by 3437.435, and multiply the result by 1000. The response time is rounded to 0.291 milliseconds.

Response times slightly from switch to switch. And at under one millisecond, you won't notice a difference from one model to another. But knowing exactly how fast switches perform may help you get the best value for your dollar.

Final Thoughts

As mentioned in the introduction, there is lots of variety in the network switch market. Each manufacturer sells different models armed with distinct feature sets. When we first started testing Ethernet switches, we devised a test suite that catered to as many products as possible, knowing that we'd have to be adaptable—so consider this How We Test a version 1.0.

In the coming weeks, we will consider different approaches for testing specialty switches, such as managed switches and smart switches. Any suggestions regarding revisions to our current test suite and/or new procedures for specific products are always welcome!

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Alexander Quejado is a Contributing Lab Assistant for Tom's Hardware. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

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Networking hardware subsidiary, Tenda, announced the availability of its 8-port TEF1008P unmanaged switch in the U.S. More than just a Fast Ethernet desktop device, the switch is enhanced with the inclusion of PoE (Power over Ethernet) functionality in four of its eight Ethernet ports. Designed for the SOHO environment, the auto-negotiable TEF1008P is as close to plug-and-play as a networking device can be, with setup being as easy as connecting devices to the switch's Ethernet ports. Connecting PoE-powered devices is convenient with the four AT/AF compliant ports that can supply connected devices with up to a total of 58 W of injected power allocated across the four PoE ports. By using PoE devices connected through the switch's powered ports, users eliminate the need for separate power and networking cables, allowing for more placement options without worrying about being out of reach of available power outlets.

The Tenda TEF1008P automatically adjusts the amount of power supplied to devices connected through its PoE ports. Tenda's announcement added that by using a PoE switch, connected devices can also be remotely restarted and power-cycled without having to physically press a button.

Speaking of devices, the TEF1009P supports products with the following protocols: IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.3af, IEEE 802.3at; PoE switches specifically support IEEE 802.3at/af on connected devices. 

Built for ease of use, the TEF1008P's fanless design is very minimal. The front panel includes 14 LED indicators corresponding to Power, PoE Max, PoE Status x 4 and Ethernet port connectivity x 8 (PoE ports have 2 LED indicators each).

The back of the switch includes a power jack and eight Ethernet ports, four of which can be used to connect PoE-enabled devices, such as wireless access points or surveillance cameras, for distances up to 150 meters when using Cat 5e Ethernet cable. The Tenda TEF1008P 8-port desktop unmanaged switch is now available at Micro Center for $49.99.

Network Switch Basics

In today’s increasingly mobile world, there has been a massive push for the propagation of wireless networking. Everyone seems to love being connected as they move about their day.

With the prevalence of wireless accessibility, people do not stop to think about what happens in the background to enable that connectivity. There is an infrastructure that must be set up, tested and maintained to allow it to remain viable and useful. Much of the time, this process can become very costly with regards to labor, equipment expense and troubleshooting. Reliability is another key factor that must also be considered. One of the solutions to create a stable network, instead of using wireless, is through the use of structured cabling and network Ethernet switches.

A network switch is a tool responsible for the connections between the systems and equipment that you wish to interact with and to share data amongst. These connections are generally created through the use of structured cabling that links both the station side (the side you interact with) and the device that you are trying to share data with, such as a server or another computer.

A network switch can be thought of as a middleman that directs traffic to its correct place. In short, if a device tries to retrieve data from another source, the switch will check to see if it knows where the destination is. If it does not know where the destination is, it will send the packets off to another device like a router and let that device determine what to do with the information. Depending on the type, layer 2 or layer 3, a switch will reside respectively on the Data Link layer or the Network layer of the OSI model.

Layer 2 switches are some of the most common, as they tend to be less expensive and perform well. They use a device’s physical address (MAC address) from incoming message frames to determine which output port to forward the information out of. A switch is able to do this by keeping a MAC address table from ARP requests for comparing incoming frame information.

Layer 3 switches possess the same capability and behave in much the same way as a layer 2 switch; however, they also possess the ability to route between different subnets or VLANs that may exist on a local area network. This can take quite a load off of a router, leaving it to solely handle network access that is off of the LAN.

Switches allow information to be passed along in a much more discrete and efficient way compared to network hubs. Switches enable multiple users to access network resources by creating specific pathways for information to flow between the connections without any interactions from other data packets that could potentially be on the same network segment. They effectively reduce the amount of collisions that may occur between data packets, since the switch knows where it needs to send information based on its MAC table. This is very different from a hub. A hub broadcasts data to each connected device until the correct destination is reached, which can result in data collisions as well as security issues.

How does this translate into the home and consumer side of things? An inexpensive switch can allow a person looking to create a home network to connect all of their devices together without the fear of slow data sharing caused by packet collisions, all while using the same Internet connection. They also allow for the centralization of connections within the home, making management much easier. The first step in choosing the correct switch for your home is deciding on what type you may want. Luckily, there are a few options.

What Makes a Switch?

Switches can vary greatly in the types of materials used in their construction, ranging from metal to plastic for the housing. Plastic tends to be the material of choice among lower-end models. However, companies like Netgear offer unmanaged products, such as its GS105, with metal housings. They last longer than plastic and tend to be more durable.

Smaller unmanaged switches tend to draw their power from wall warts. Higher-end models (like those designed to be rack mounted) usually have an in-housing power supply and only require a standard IEC power cable. As with any electronic device, switches will generate heat that must be dissipated. Many smaller switches will be passively cooled utilizing a heat sink (such as pictured above). However, larger models are normally equipped with fans to help exhaust the generated heat and prolong the life of the product.

A Broadcom SoC inside the Netgear GS608 8-port 10/100/1000 Mb/s switch

Companies like Broadcom and Qualcomm supply a lot of the component hardware used in consumer networking products like switches, as well as other product lines ranging from routers to modems. Using this hardware, the switch knows how to handle the incoming and outgoing information. How these instruction are dealt with varies between unmanaged, smart and managed switches. For example, many unmanaged switches utilize SoC (or system on a chip) technology, where many subsystems are integrated on the same package. This SoC handles the data at the hardware level when it comes into the switch, and directs it where to go. For example, in a switch’s case, a frame would come in and be compared against a MAC table, then be directed out the appropriate network port. Higher-level switches, such as smart switches, generally contain CPUs that are integrated into a chip within the switch. This CPU can aid in handling the additional overhead of features like VLANs, QoS and Layer 3 switching.

A convenient feature added to switches is the inclusion of link lights, which are generally located near the top of the port and on either side of the port as well. The lights activate when the port detects activity from an active connection, which occurs when two products are linked together through the use of patch cables. For the most part, one activated light means that the established connection is 10/100 Mb/s, while two activated lights indicate a 1 Gb/s connection. This can be extremely useful for troubleshooting purposes. Even though link lights do not guarantee a reliable connection, they at least indicate that two devices are patched through to each other. If there are no lights, it can create a starting point for troubleshooting in that the port could potentially be bad or that the cabling between the two connected points is defective in some manner.

Apart from the physical aspects that make up a switch, there are also different features to look out for, such as jumbo frame support, duplexing, large MAC table sizes and Auto-MDIX/MDI support.

Jumbo frames are Ethernet frames that contain more than 1500 bytes, with 9000 bytes tending to be used as a conventional MTU size. Jumbo frame support can be useful for lowering bandwidth requirements, as the switch’s CPU only has to process one larger frame as opposed to being flooded with multiple smaller frames.

There are two types of duplexing you'll encounter: full and half. Most modern equipment operates in full-duplex mode. This is very important, as a device running full duplex mode is able to simultaneously send and receive data. In half-duplex mode, one device sends a frame and all devices within the collision domain listen for the frame. This has the potential to introduce collisions if collision detection fails to prevent the occurrence, which can significantly degrade the performance of your network.

Large MAC table sizes are more of a business-oriented capability than something that'd come into play at home. Businesses need a switch with the capacity to retain a large MAC table, as there are most likely hundreds of device IDs that will be stored in the switch’s table. This is less problematic when the number of clients on your network is small. However, it is still a desirable feature for preventing issues that could arise from running out of space on the table. At that point, the switch would not be able to properly route information, which would significantly impact performance.

Auto-MDIX/MDI support is becoming commonplace. Without this feature, devices that contain MDI (media independent interface) or MDIX (media independent crossover) connections on both sides, such as switch-to-switch connections or peer-to-peer computer connections, would require a cross-over cable as opposed to a straight-through. Auto-MDIX/MDI allows devices to be connected to each other using either type of cable, as Auto-MDIX automatically detects the required cable type and configures the connection appropriately. This removes a great amount of confusion while interconnecting devices, as two types of cable connections are no longer needed.

Different Types of Switches

It can become a confusing chore having to wade through the different types of switches. First you have to decide what type of network you would like to employ. As of today, there are two main types of networks that are used at the prosumer and enterprise level: Fiber channel and Ethernet. There is a drastic cost difference between the two, and it is quite normal to run standard Ethernet switches with a Fiber trunk connecting the switches to increase the bandwidth/speed capacity between them. The target audience for this article is the regular consumer, and as such, regular Ethernet switches will be discussed from this point on. After deciding what type of network you're going to build, you have to pick the type of switch you would like to use. For the sake of simplicity, there are three types of network switches that are important to this topic: unmanaged, intelligent/smart and fully managed.

An unmanaged switch is the most basic, and it's what most consumers will buy, as it requires the least amount of set-up and is also the least expensive. An unmanaged switch is just that, unmanaged. They are not configurable and have all of their programming built in. It is ready to work straight out of the box. Many consumers shopping for a network switch are mainly looking to expand the amount of devices that they can connect. An unmanaged switch is perfect in this situation since it requires the least amount of investment with regards to both expense and time.

An intelligent/smart switch is the middle ground between the unmanaged and fully managed switches. They offer limited customization, but do possess the granular control abilities that a fully managed switch has. These are great if you're looking for a bit more control over your network and how it operates. Depending on the switch, you can set up different options like Quality of Service (QoS) and VLANs, which can be useful if you have VoIP-enabled phones in your house, or if you just want to segregate different portions of your network from each other. These are still valid choices for the regular consumer, as they are generally easy to use and you can glean a bit more information off of them on how your network is configured compared to unmanaged switches.

At the top of the range is the fully managed switch. Most of these come with every option currently available to a network engineer. They offer granular control, such as port security, access control lists (ACLs) and greater VLAN ability. A consumer will most likely not purchase one of these because they require time and knowledge to set up properly, and the features they offer are more at home in an enterprise environment. Plus, they're expensive.

Important Considerations

Every person will have different needs for their home network. One person may value the number of available ports, while another will put a greater value on something like granular control. Most importantly, take inventory of what you have and what you need to make your home network more accessible and usable. The future also needs to be taken into consideration. Just because you may have five devices that you want to physically connect to a network, that number may rise over time.

Size is one consideration, since switches come in all shapes. One brand’s four-port switch may not be same size as another comparable brand. Will you have the space to properly set up and maintain the equipment? Generally, as port count increases, so does the size of the housing that the ports are enclosed in. It is also important to remember that most switches require a certain amount of space around them as they generally vent their heat through the sides of the enclosure.

Speaking of ports, the number of them is one of the most important variables to note. This also requires some level of planning beforehand. Once you run out of ports, that switch’s capacity has been reached and another device must be purchased. It is best to take an inventory of what you currently have and what you wish to physically connect. As stated earlier, it is best to also plan for the future. At some point, you may wish to add devices that you may not have thought of previously, such as set top boxes, game consoles, streaming boxes, IP cameras and IP phones.

Speed and reliability are also important factors. At the consumer level, you will be looking at switches that support speeds of 10/100/1000 Mb/s. Older 10/100 Mb/s models can be considerably cheaper than gigabit (1000 Mb/s), and are generally fine for light streaming of video and audio. However, most modern devices support gigabit and, for the most part, are not much more expensive than 10/100 switches. Gigabit-class transfers can become increasingly important if you are connected to a server’s network share or are sharing/transferring data between two or more devices. The speed difference alone can make up for the cost difference, as your time will be utilized more efficiently. As we move further into the future, enterprise-level speeds like 10 Gb/s will continue to fall in price. For now, 10 Gb/s is still too expensive; the cost/performance ratio cannot be justified by a majority of home users.

Wireless networking will generally be slower and less reliable than a physical connection, and is contingent on a myriad of factors like environment and placement. If speed is most important to you, then you definitely want the reliability of a physical network capable of delivering more consistent and stable results.

Conclusion

The purchase of a networking switch can be a frustrating one, given all of the options that are available. However, it does not need to be complicated if you arm yourself with a little knowledge and remember to take into consideration all of what you want out of your device. Just remember to plan for the future and not just buy for your network as it stands today. Devices are replaced and new ones are added all of the time, which could require extra performance or capacity.

Considerations like speed, port count, size and reliability are all important aspects that must be taken into account. A budget should be constructed for any added expense that a new switch might compel. This could be as simple as extra network patch cables or something pricier, such as adding structured cabling to your house, allowing you to move your connected device away from the general area of the switch. If you find that the added expense of bringing structured cabling into your home is too much, wireless is always a great option, though its disadvantages must also be weighed carefully.

Wireless technology is now a part of our daily lives. However, a wired network connection will most likely give you greater overall satisfaction since it circumvents the pitfalls of wireless, one of the greatest being environmental factors. Wired tends to be more reliable and is subject to less interference from what is around the structured cabling. Most consumers will likely find it within their budget (and needs) to acquire at least an eight-port Gigabit unmanaged switch to let them attach devices like PCs, network storage and consoles, structured cable locations permitting, allowing them to centralize their connections.

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Eric Bliss is an Associate Contributing Writer for Tom's Hardware.

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What Is Powerline Technology?

Powerline is a networking communications technology adapted for use over existing electrical power lines, hence the name. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and HomePlug Alliance organizations created working groups and standards for Powerline technology that can be applied to electrical grids as well as in-home circuits. In fact, when you hear the terminology Smart Grid, many of the proposed industrial applications utilize Powerline technology. On the consumer front, we would most likely recognize the application of Powerline technology by the electricity industry in the form of smart meters. While not every smart meter uses Powerline, those that do are an example of the electricity industry utilizing existing power lines to exchange data, such as utility companies receiving updates from your smart meter regarding your electricity usage. That is if you opt in to such a service, of course.

When you pause and think about that though, the potential for using power lines to transmit data could mean that, eventually, electric utility companies may become an alternative to Internet service providers in providing connectivity to households. While it may not come to pass in more densely populated areas, providing Internet via Powerline to rural households is much more likely. I have several friends who live in such areas; they've mentioned that ISPs are hesitant, if not downright unwilling, to bring fiber or cable to their homes. While that may be frustrating from a consumer point of view, to the ISP, the return on investment just isn't as high on providing Internet to one remote family compared to wiring up a neighborhood. The alternatives are usually satellite or DSL.

Although it might be exciting to discuss combining your electricity and Internet delivery, for the purpose of this article, let's bring the focus back to in-home applications. Using Powerline allows you to take advantage of existing electrical wiring for your networking requirements, circumventing the need to place an Ethernet drop in every room for wired connectivity. Take a quick look around and count how many electrical outlets you see. Each one of those is a potential network uplink if you use Powerline!

Slow down a minute, though. You can't just pop in a Cat 5e or Cat 6 cable into an electrical outlet and start watching YouTube videos. There has to be a Powerline adapter in place to convert the 802.3 Ethernet protocol into the newest Powerline standard, called HomePlug AV2, for transmission over the electrical wiring.

“Wait,” you say, “What happened to the first specification for HomePlug AV?” For that answer, we can glean the history of the standard from the master observer of all things related to use of communications signals, the National Security Agency.

In a 2001 article titled Data Communications via Powerlines, long before the HomePlug standard, there were four Powerline protocols battling for contention to be the High Speed Powerline Communications (HSPLC) solution. The protocols and the companies backing them included PowerPacket by Intellon, Plug-In PLX by Intelogis, Digital Powerline and AN1000 Powerline from Adaptive Networks. All were developed to transmit data at high speeds, while compensating for inherent issues with using electrical wiring for transmission like high attenuation, interference and signal mismatches.

A committee was formed under the name HomePlug Alliance, composed of the computer and networking equipment industry's big players. In the first year of the 21^st century, two weeks before the summer solstice, the coin toss showed "heads" and thus, PowerPacket was chosen to be the power-line communication standard. In reality, the decision was most likely based on PowerPacket's usage of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) for better performance and more resilient signal transmission, but we'll cover OFDM in depth in the next section.

Presumably for consumer and industry brand recognition, the PowerPacket name was dropped in favor of HomePlug 1.0. At that stage, real-world data transmission rates capped out at around 5Mb/s (even as they were marketed up to the theoretical max of 14Mb/s), and transmissions operated between the 4 and 20MHz frequency range.

But was 5Mb/s enough to watch the 10-hour loop of Nyan Cat in 1080p HD while playing Call of Duty 2? Of course not! I'm sure the HomePlug Alliance realized this as well. Thus, they established the next Powerline specification in 2005, HomePlug AV.

HomePlug AV

HomePlug AV is the standard that many Powerline products on the market today still use. It provides theoretical maximum speeds of 200 Mb/s while operating in the 2 to 28MHz frequency range.

In order to efficiently handle the transmission and receipt of data, there is logical separation between the control and data-handling mechanisms. In enterprise networking, you'll often hear this referenced as "control plane" and "data plane," respectively. The head honcho of control mechanisms is a process called the Central Coordinator. It is accompanied by a control process called the Connection Manager. Think of these two as the chief executive officer, responsible for making decisions, and the chief operations officer, responsible for executing those decisions. Information flow is not just one way, however, as the Connection Manager feeds data back to the Central Coordinator so future decisions can be adjusted as necessary.

The Connection Manager has two staff members at its disposal: MAC and PHY. First up we have the Physical Layer, which is referenced in the OSI Model as Layer 1 and in Powerline parlance as PHY. The PHY handles management of the channel and information rates, reported in the HomePlug AV spec as 200 Mb/s and 150 Mb/s, respectively. You might wonder what the 50 Mb/s gap represents. According to the Shannon-Hartley theorem (math…yawn), there is a set speed for maximum channel capacity through which information can be transmitted without having to correct for errors. This speed in the HomePlug AV spec is that 200 Mb/s rate. Losing 50 Mb/s is a result of the need to compensate for transmission errors. Performance at the PHY is achieved via windowed Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) and Turbo Convolutional Code (TCC). 

OFDM is a channel-management mechanism that can split the available spectrum into sub-spectrum sizes for data transmission. The key benefit in OFDM is multi-path transmission. We don't have to wait for a particular lane to clear because we have multiple lanes from which we can choose to send data. OFDM’s efficiency is why it is used as the channel-management mechanism in Wi-Fi specifications 802.11g/n/ac instead of Direct-Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS), used in 802.11b.

To visualize the difference between DSSS and OFDM, think of a swimming pool and swimmers lining up to do laps. In DSSS, the entire pool is dedicated to one swimmer and other swimmers have to wait for the pool to clear before entering, whereas OFDM splits the pool up into swim lanes so multiple swimmers can enter the pool at the same time. However, the more lanes that are created, the more disturbance each swimmer could feel from neighboring swimmers. So, to account for the "splash over", each lane has dead zones on either side to give the signal room to be transmitted without interference from signals in other lanes. TCC is the error-handling algorithm, which is responsible for achieving maximum transmission while accounting for the inherent noise in the transmission medium.

Following the PHY is the Media Access Control (MAC) layer, referenced in the OSI Model as Layer 2. It's at this layer Quality of Service (QoS) features are handled via Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and Collision Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA). This layer is also where the Central Coordinator asserts order throughout the Powerline network through the use of three control regions: Beacon, CSMA and Contention-Free.

First, the Central Coordinator sets a Beacon Period in which it broadcasts a schedule to all Powerline adapters, instructing each node its permitted time frame to send traffic, whether that traffic is Contention-Free or CSMA. When establishing the Beacon Period, the Central Coordinator syncs it to the AC Line Cycle, which is when the AC current "wave" is pulsed down the wire. Each node then specifies through the Contention-Free region its QoS requirements to meet traffic demand. If the Central Coordinator can handle the request, it instructs the Powerline adapters to choose the transmission frequency. This "Tone Map", along with an estimation of channel usage, is sent to the Central Coordinator so it can determine the lifespan of the connections. When persistent bandwidth isn't required, perhaps for interactive types of traffic (think telnet or ssh), allocated time in the Beacon Period may be used by a Powerline adapter to send traffic using CSMA. Because the QoS mechanisms are reliant on timing, once the Central Coordinator broadcasts the Beacon packet, the MAC synchronizes his swatch upon inspection of the associated timestamp.

Now that we've discussed the performance-handling techniques, let's talk about the sync settings and how these Powerline adapters become aware of each other. You'd be right if you surmised that this mechanism must be (ahem) centrally coordinated.

When you first plug in a Powerline adapter, it listens for a logical network. If one is present, it attempts to join. Otherwise, it establishes itself as the Central Coordinator and begins broadcasting a Beacon. As other Powerline adapters are added to the logical network, each node that hears the Beacon adds its respective information to a Discovered Station List. If a Powerline node hears information about another logical HomePlug AV network, it adds that information to a Discovered Networks List. As any good manager does, the Central Coordinator checks in periodically with each Powerline adapter to retrieve these lists so it can build and update the network topology.

Each Central Coordinator, aside from tracking performance, holds sway over the logical HomePlug AV network from a security stance via use of a Network Membership Key. You can set multiple Network Membership Keys on different Powerline adapters in case you wanted to use admission control to determine which Powerline adapters are able to participate in their respective logical networks. In theory, this is similar to when you VLAN network segments in a switch, separating the packet paths logically.

As the topology is updated over time, the Central Coordinator determines whether another Powerline adapter would be better suited to take over the Central Coordinator role depending on capability, number of discovered stations, number of discovered networks and most influentially, user selection. While I can't pin down further details, I'm pretty sure that process is something like this.

In the event no activity is observed, such as when attached devices are powered off, the Central Coordinator instructs the nodes to enter power save mode.

Now let's learn what amazing things HomePlug AV2 has in store for us!

HomePlug AV2

The immediate observable difference between HomePlugAV and HomePlugAV2 is the marketing of gigabit-class speeds. To clarify though, the gigabit speed is at the PHY layer which really just means you get gigabit connectivity, not gigabit throughput. Other key advances include:

• Increased bandwidth through use of higher band spectrum
• MIMO
• Inherent repeater functionality
• Power save mode

Underneath these advancements, the core mechanisms such as the PHY, MAC, and Central Coordinator remain the same.

Having almost three times the band in which to operate allows for multiple HD streams and more bandwidth-intensive usage. HomePlug AV2 also utilizes beamforming, which is what allows for better transmission channel adjustments such as OFDM. In addition, MIMO enables the Powerline adapter to use any two wires in a three-prong outlet for transmission, whereas HomePlug AV always uses the line-neutral pair. Extended coverage is also more likely without having to purchase an extra Powerline adapter since each AV2 node has inherent repeater functionality.

From an efficiency perspective, Powerline adapters built according to the HomePlug AV2 specification have a sleep mode to prevent unneeded power draw. Until activated to transmit data, a Powerline adapter enters a sleep state with specified times to awake to check for any data transmission requests. The HomePlug AV2 logo has been revised, so you won't be able to tell just by the logo whether the Powerline adapter you're purchasing maps to that specification. Be sure to look at the specs listed on the side or back of the box for verification!

Powerline Standards

While there are excellent resources available on the Internet to learn about Powerline technology and its associated standards, there are many instances of misinformation as well. In addition, terminology isn't consistent among vendor marketing and product packaging, so how are consumers or even those interested in writing about the subject supposed to maintain accuracy in the related discussions?

In my own research, the earliest publicly available documentation easily accessible is that excerpt from the NSA that I cited. From there, the HomePlug Alliance was elected to be the governing body over Powerline specifications. To date, the only specifications defined by the HomePlug Alliance are:

• HomePlug 1.0
• HomePlug AV
• HomePlug AV2

When you see other terms like "Powerline AV" or "Powerline AV2", these are marketing terms that are technically misleading if the cited specifications on the packaging don't list "HomePlug AV" or "HomePlug AV2". Why would a vendor label its product with a term that doesn't specifically match a certification? It may be one of these reasons:

• Status Pending -- Product certification is in-process, and as we discuss in our How We Test Powerline article, the HomePlug logo and certification reference can only be used under stringent requirements. While the product is being processed for certification, the vendor could use terms that hint at being capable of operating under the newest specification.
• Delivery Delay -- Product certification would take too long before a newer product was going to be released, so the expense to get the existing product certified doesn't have a good return on investment.
• Sell it now -- A vendor could decide that the product operates well enough through their own implementation of the standard that they could push it to market without seeking certification from the HomePlug Alliance.

Don't be misled! Remember that there only three approved HomePlug certification standards published by the HomePlug Alliance. For more information about the requirements under which a vendor can display the HomePlug Certification Mark, check out the related discussion in our How We Test article. If a product is marked otherwise, that product is either non-compliant or is pushing marketing terminology.

Products For Home Networks

Most vendors that produce home networking products sell Powerline products of their own, usually as individual units or in kits that include at least two Powerline units. Assuming that the outlets using the Powerline adapters are on the same electrical circuit, a home user just needs to connect their first Powerline adapter to their router. Once connected, and depending on the manufacturer, there may be some management console-based configuration needed (or not, as some vendors have simplified the setup process to just a push of a button).

Amongst the major players in the Powerline game, network speeds range between 200 and 2000 Mb/s and can reach out to distances from 300 to 500 square meters. Powerline adapters, depending on the make and model, can also include a variety of additional features including:

• Wi-Fi range extension to help extend the reach of your wireless network.
• Pass-through power outlet to help make up for the loss of an available power source.
• One to four 10/100/1000 Mb/s Ethernet jacks that can go out to a network ready device, such as a computer or a network switch.
• Up to 128-bit AES encryption to protect your data.
• Energy-saving capability that powers down the Powerline adapter when it’s not in use.
• LED lights that can display power, connection status and network activity.
• Factory reset button to restore the Powerline devices to their default settings.

When using Powerline at home, there are a few factors to consider. Since homes come in all different shapes, sizes and age, the wiring behind the walls may not provide the best level of conductivity, and can prove to be a limiting factor in performance. Additionally, some larger home appliances like laundry washers and dryers may reduce network speed due to power fluctuations caused by their demands. Also, if the home is already using HomePlug 1.0 Powerline products, HomePlug AV and AV2 will not be able to communicate with devices using the older standard, although they can co-exist on the same circuit. Lastly, it’s not recommended to connect a Powerline device to a power strip or surge protector as the filtering circuits within the strip can interfere with the product’s network communication.

MORE: Networking in the Forums

Matthew Matchen is an Associate Contributing Writer for Tom's Hardware. Follow him on Twitter @matchemm

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MSI has joined companies such as Gigabyte and Alienware (Dell) in featuring Qualcomm Atheros' Killer network adapters on certain motherboards and gaming laptops to improve gaming experience and video streaming performance. The chip in question is the Killer E2200 which features a number of improvements over its predecessor, the E2100. For example, the E2200 has driver support for Windows 8 and Linux and MSI has worked with Qualcomm Atheros to create a software package that allows users to choose which data packets get priority.

We can expect the first Killer-powered MSI devices to be announced during CEBIT from March 5 to 9 in Germany.

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