Looking for a nice switch!

bluepr0

Hello,

I'm in the process of searching for a new switch. Currently I have an 8 port Netgear one (Smart Managed). However, I'm planning to expand the network and get a bit more of control over it. The switch I'm looking for should have the following characteristics:

19'' Rack mountable
Between 20-24 RJ45 ports
L2 managed is enough for me (home/small office environment)
All ports RJ45 1000mbps
VLAN support
Nice to have 2 or 4 10gbe for the future (if it makes sense). For my ballpark, to get this it will be probably have to be used

I don't mind if it's used (but not too old) as long as I find it on eBay or similar. My ballpark is around 260€ (290$)

For new ones, I've checked:

TP-Link T2600G-28TS http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/cat-39_T2600G-28TS-(TL-SG3424).html
Cisco SG220-26 http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-SG220-26-SG220-26-K9-NA-Managed-Gigabit/dp/B00L0XNVAM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452194398&sr=8-1&keywords=SG220-26
Netgear JGS524Ev2 http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-ProSAFE-JGS524E-Rackmount-JGS524Ev2/dp/B00GG1AD9A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452194767&sr=8-1&keywords=JGS524Ev2

Is there any other good brands on Switches I should take a look at? Any good used model I should search for?

asterix

I have been using a 48-port Netgear managed switch close to 6 years now and highly recommend them. Not saying others are bad.

bluepr0

Thanks! do you remember the model?

Also, is there something in particular that I should look at when buying a switch?

thermo

@bluepr0:

Also, is there something in particular that I should look at when buying a switch?

Power consumption.
Noise/Fanless
firmware update policy (can you get access to it after X years?)
Copper or fiber 10GB? I doubt you'll get 10Gb for the price you quote though I haven't looked recently.

Guest

Also, is there something in particular that I should look at when buying a switch?

it should be coming together with Web configuration option and CLI besides and should own a serial
port in any condition or form, likes a real DB9 serial port, USB to console port or RJ45 console port.

If you plan to install more then one switch, it could be good to get some stackable switches
Power consuming and fan loudness might be perhaps for a personal or private usage also interesting
If at any time something goes wrong, you will be able to revive this Switch then over this console port.
Perhaps switches with dual firmware, if something goes wrong, you could boot the switch from firmware 2
Pending your wishes (10 GbE & VLANs) a Layer3 switch is better then a Layer2 switch, because the
firewall must be routing then between the VLANs and should or must be connected then also over
10 GbE to the switch!!! This can be prevented from, by using a Layer3 switch that is routing all
traffic by itself and the firewall must be not integrated into this work. A Cheap one is the D-Link
DGS1510-24 it has 2 SFP+ Ports.

Layer2 switches:

ZyXEL XGS1910-24 ~360 € 8)

24 x RJ45 GB LAN Ports
2 x SFP+ 10 GbE Ports

Cisco SG200-26-K9-G5 ~300 € ;)

24 x RJ45 GB LAN Ports
_2 x SFP GB LAN Ports
No 10 GbE or SFP+_

Netgear M4100 Series (GSM7224) ~450 € :o
Fully managed Layer2+ (Edge Switch)

24 x RJ45 GB LAN Ports
4 x SFP+ 10 GbE Ports
No 10 GbE or SFP+

Netgear (GS728TXS) ~510 € :-*
Smart Managed & Stackable Layer2+

24 x RJ45 GB LAN Ports
4 x SFP+ 10 GbE Ports

Netgear S3300 Series (GS728TX) ~590 € :o
Smart Managed & Stackable Layer2+ (Access Switch)

24 x RJ45 GB LAN Ports
2 x 10GBase-T uplink or stacking
2 x SFP+ uplink or stacking

Layer3 switches:

D-Link DGS1510-28 ~260 € :D

24 x RJ45 GB LAN Ports
2 x SFP GB LAN Ports
2 x SFP+ 10 GbE Ports

Cisco SG300-26-K9-G5 ~350 € ;)

24 x RJ45 GB LAN Ports
2 x SFP GB LAN Ports
No 10 GbE or SFP+

I have been using a 48-port Netgear managed switch close to 6 years now and highly recommend them. Not saying others are bad.

But to get your hands on a Layer3 device from Netgear, you might be starting to search inside of
the M5300 series and a really well corresponding Layer3 comparable against the Cisco SG300 will
be useful, perhaps over a Layer3 license upgrade I wish for my own. Or perhaps across the whole
product line it would be fine to see such a Layer3 license upgrade S3300, M4100 and M5300 Series.

On the company we are using only Netgear Switches, at home I am using a D-Link DGS1510-28 switch.

kesawi

What's your time frame for going 10GBe? If you don't need it now or in the next 6-12 months, it's generally cheaper in the long run to spec for your current needs and then upgrade when the time comes if required.

asterix

@bluepr0:

Thanks! do you remember the model?

GSM7248 v2

bluepr0

Wow! thanks a lot for your replies guys.

@thermo:

@bluepr0:

Also, is there something in particular that I should look at when buying a switch?

Power consumption.
Noise/Fanless
Copper or fiber 10GB? I doubt you'll get 10Gb for the price you quote though I haven't looked recently.

You are very right, I'm really interested in the noise. If it can be fanless it would be better or a VERY quiet fan. Power consumption is also interesting to have in mind.

I'm not entirely sure what's the difference between Fiber or Copper if they both provide 10GB of bandwidth? (latency, maybe?)

@BlueKobold:

Also, is there something in particular that I should look at when buying a switch?

it should be coming together with Web configuration option and CLI besides and should own a serial
port in any condition or form, likes a real DB9 serial port, USB to console port or RJ45 console port.

If you plan to install more then one switch, it could be good to get some stackable switches

Power consuming and fan loudness might be perhaps for a personal or private usage also interesting

If at any time something goes wrong, you will be able to revive this Switch then over this console port.

Perhaps switches with dual firmware, if something goes wrong, you could boot the switch from firmware 2

Pending your wishes (10 GbE & VLANs) a Layer3 switch is better then a Layer2 switch, because the
firewall must be routing then between the VLANs and should or must be connected then also over
10 GbE to the switch!!! This can be prevented from, by using a Layer3 switch that is routing all
traffic by itself and the firewall must be not integrated into this work. A Cheap one is the D-Link
DGS1510-24 it has 2 SFP+ Ports.

Layer2 switches:

ZyXEL XGS1910-24 ~360 € 8)

24 x RJ45 GB LAN Ports

2 x SFP+ 10 GbE Ports

Cisco SG200-26-K9-G5 ~300 € ;)

24 x RJ45 GB LAN Ports

_2 x SFP GB LAN Ports

No 10 GbE or SFP+_

Netgear M4100 Series (GSM7224) ~450 € :o
Fully managed Layer2+ (Edge Switch)

24 x RJ45 GB LAN Ports

4 x SFP+ 10 GbE Ports

No 10 GbE or SFP+

Netgear (GS728TXS) ~510 € :-*
Smart Managed & Stackable Layer2+

24 x RJ45 GB LAN Ports

4 x SFP+ 10 GbE Ports

Netgear S3300 Series (GS728TX) ~590 € :o
Smart Managed & Stackable Layer2+ (Access Switch)

24 x RJ45 GB LAN Ports

2 x 10GBase-T uplink or stacking

2 x SFP+ uplink or stacking

Layer3 switches:

D-Link DGS1510-28 ~260 € :D

24 x RJ45 GB LAN Ports

2 x SFP GB LAN Ports

2 x SFP+ 10 GbE Ports

Cisco SG300-26-K9-G5 ~350 € ;)

24 x RJ45 GB LAN Ports

2 x SFP GB LAN Ports

No 10 GbE or SFP+

I have been using a 48-port Netgear managed switch close to 6 years now and highly recommend them. Not saying others are bad.

But to get your hands on a Layer3 device from Netgear, you might be starting to search inside of
the M5300 series and a really well corresponding Layer3 comparable against the Cisco SG300 will
be useful, perhaps over a Layer3 license upgrade I wish for my own. Or perhaps across the whole
product line it would be fine to see such a Layer3 license upgrade S3300, M4100 and M5300 Series.

On the company we are using only Netgear Switches, at home I am using a D-Link DGS1510-28 switch.

Absolutely amazing valuable information, thanks a lot for taking the time to write this down!. I took a look at the D-Link you suggested, and it seems really nice option! However it seems a bit noisy (fan runs at 44db). I will take your advice on better look for a L3 switch, as I'm planning on use VLAN for sure. Will check back again the D-Link website, maybe they have a fanless option with 10GBe support

@kesawi:

What's your time frame for going 10GBe? If you don't need it now or in the next 6-12 months, it's generally cheaper in the long run to spec for your current needs and then upgrade when the time comes if required.

Yes, around that time-frame. I'm working on a home server rack, so I will be spending money on a new switch, firewall and a NAS. For the later I'm planning to connect it to the 10gbe ports, but honestly it would be enough by also getting a quad LAN card and do LAG. 10gbe ports are a nice to have but not completely necessary!

jahonix

D-Link DGS-1510 series
Cisco SG500X series

SG300/500 offer a console via serial, telnet and/or SSH. The SG200 don't. SG500X has 4 SFP+ ports. Probably a bit pricy.
The DGS-1510 series seems to offer a lot of bang for the buck. Sometimes even available used on eBay. I haven't used them yet but they seem interesting.

David_W

@bluepr0:

I'm in the process of searching for a new switch. Currently I have an 8 port Netgear one (Smart Managed). However, I'm planning to expand the network and get a bit more of control over it. The switch I'm looking for should have the following characteristics:

19'' Rack mountable

Between 20-24 RJ45 ports

L2 managed is enough for me (home/small office environment)

All ports RJ45 1000mbps

VLAN support

Nice to have 2 or 4 10gbe for the future (if it makes sense). For my ballpark, to get this it will be probably have to be used

I don't mind if it's used (but not too old) as long as I find it on eBay or similar. My ballpark is around 260€ (290$)

If you are happy to dispense with 10Gbit support for now (as others have said, spec it when you need it), check out ZyXEL GS1920 series. I have a GS1920-48HP here, which is the 48 port version with 802.3at Power over Ethernet.

GS1920-24 is the version with 24 ports and no PoE - I believe it's fanless. It's GBP120 from amazon.co.uk (though note that the Amazon description is wrong - PoE support is only on the more expensive HP versions) and around €150 from amazon.de (depending on which seller you choose - I've used Avides before). The rack mount ears are in the box. The user guide will give you a good idea of the capabilities. Firmware upgrades are free of charge.

bluepr0

@David_W:

@bluepr0:

I'm in the process of searching for a new switch. Currently I have an 8 port Netgear one (Smart Managed). However, I'm planning to expand the network and get a bit more of control over it. The switch I'm looking for should have the following characteristics:

19'' Rack mountable

Between 20-24 RJ45 ports

L2 managed is enough for me (home/small office environment)

All ports RJ45 1000mbps

VLAN support

Nice to have 2 or 4 10gbe for the future (if it makes sense). For my ballpark, to get this it will be probably have to be used

I don't mind if it's used (but not too old) as long as I find it on eBay or similar. My ballpark is around 260€ (290$)

If you are happy to dispense with 10Gbit support for now (as others have said, spec it when you need it), check out ZyXEL GS1920 series. I have a GS1920-48HP here, which is the 48 port version with 802.3at Power over Ethernet.

GS1920-24 is the version with 24 ports and no PoE - I believe it's fanless. It's GBP120 from amazon.co.uk (though note that the Amazon description is wrong - PoE support is only on the more expensive HP versions) and around €150 from amazon.de (depending on which seller you choose - I've used Avides before). The rack mount ears are in the box. The user guide will give you a good idea of the capabilities. Firmware upgrades are free of charge.

Thanks a lot for your suggestions. One of the members of the forum pointed out that I should be getting a Layer 3 Switch as I will do VLAN (Not sure if Layer 2+ will do it, though). I have checked Zyxel products (L3 4500 series) but they seems quite expensive :(

David_W

@bluepr0:

Thanks a lot for your suggestions. One of the members of the forum pointed out that I should be getting a Layer 3 Switch as I will do VLAN (Not sure if Layer 2+ will do it, though). I have checked Zyxel products (L3 4500 series) but they seems quite expensive :(

You don't need a Layer 3 switch for VLANs - only if you want the switch to route traffic between VLANs autonomously, without involving pfSense or any other router.

ZyXEL GS1920 is perfectly capable of running VLANs. This post comes to you via a GS1920-48HP with a configuration involving seven VLANs (with various combinations of tagged and untagged ports), link aggregation, spanning tree, IGMP snooping, MLD snooping (the IPv6 equivalent of IGMP snooping) and various other advanced features. The Power over Ethernet support in the HP versions is very well implemented, though the power budget is not as high as more expensive switches. 375W (the limit on the GS1920-48HP) is enough for me.

GS1920-24 is a very capable switch for around €150. I posted a link to the 4.30 user guide so that you could see the feature set. If you get a switch with older 4.10 firmware, it's a five minute job to download and upgrade the firmware.

If you really want Layer 3 and/or 10Gbit support, you're either going to be hunting for second hand switches that could well have very loud fans and be very power hungry, or you're going to blow your budget by a considerable margin.

kesawi

There's an ongoing discussion on whether there is any benefits or issues in using pfSense or a Layer 3 switch to route between VLANs at /index.php?topic=104987.0.

bluepr0

@David_W:

@bluepr0:

Thanks a lot for your suggestions. One of the members of the forum pointed out that I should be getting a Layer 3 Switch as I will do VLAN (Not sure if Layer 2+ will do it, though). I have checked Zyxel products (L3 4500 series) but they seems quite expensive :(

You don't need a Level 3 switch for VLANs - only if you want the switch to route traffic between VLANs autonomously, without involving pfSense or any other router.

ZyXEL GS1920 is perfectly capable of running VLANs. This post comes to you via a GS1920-48HP with a configuration involving seven VLANs (with various combinations of tagged and untagged ports), link aggregation, spanning tree, IGMP snooping, MLD snooping (the IPv6 equivalent of IGMP snooping) and various other advanced features. The Power over Ethernet support in the HP versions is very well implemented, though the power budget is not as high as more expensive switches. 375W (the limit on the GS1920-48HP) is enough for me.

GS1920-24 is a very capable switch for around €150. I posted a link to the 4.30 user guide so that you could see the feature set. If you get a switch with older 4.10 firmware, it's a five minute job to download and upgrade the firmware.

If you really want Level 3 and/or 10Gbit support, you're either going to be hunting for second hand switches that could well have very loud fans and be very power hungry, or you're going to blow your budget by a considerable margin.

Yep, I more or less understand that part! I currently have an 8 port with 2 VLANs. The thing is I wanted to avoid pfsense to do that job as there might be significant traffic between them!

@kesawi:

There's an ongoing discussion on whether there is any benefits or issues in using pfSense or a Layer 3 switch to route between VLANs at /index.php?topic=104987.0.

Thanks, will take a look at it!

David_W

@bluepr0:

The thing is I wanted to avoid pfsense to do that job as there might be significant traffic between them!

It's worth thinking whether you can design your network in a way that avoids as much VLAN to VLAN traffic as possible. Connecting servers to every VLAN they need to serve (with appropriate firewall rules and ACLs on the services) might be sufficient for your purposes and would avoid the complexity of introducing L3 switching.

Layer 3 switches tend to be rather expensive. You would need to investigate any second hand L3 switches carefully, especially about power usage, fan noise, whether they have IPv6 support and the costs of software licensing and updates.

If you really need a L3 switch, it might be cheaper to go for a a small L3 switch with at least one 10Gbit port, linked to a 10Gbit port on a larger L2 switch (a couple of 10Gbit ports on that switch would suffice). It's difficult to envisage any home network needing more than 10Gbit/s of L3 switching bandwidth.

jjduru

@bluepr0:

Hello,

I'm in the process of searching for a new switch. Currently I have an 8 port Netgear one (Smart Managed). However, I'm planning to expand the network and get a bit more of control over it. The switch I'm looking for should have the following characteristics:

19'' Rack mountable

Between 20-24 RJ45 ports

L2 managed is enough for me (home/small office environment)

All ports RJ45 1000mbps

VLAN support

Nice to have 2 or 4 10gbe for the future (if it makes sense). For my ballpark, to get this it will be probably have to be used

I don't mind if it's used (but not too old) as long as I find it on eBay or similar. My ballpark is around 260€ (290$)

For new ones, I've checked:

TP-Link T2600G-28TS http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/cat-39_T2600G-28TS-(TL-SG3424).html

Cisco SG220-26 http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-SG220-26-SG220-26-K9-NA-Managed-Gigabit/dp/B00L0XNVAM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452194398&sr=8-1&keywords=SG220-26

Netgear JGS524Ev2 http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-ProSAFE-JGS524E-Rackmount-JGS524Ev2/dp/B00GG1AD9A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452194767&sr=8-1&keywords=JGS524Ev2

Is there any other good brands on Switches I should take a look at? Any good used model I should search for?

Here are some good options:

Cisco SG300-28 - $295.05 -
http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-SG300-28-Ethernet-Switch-SRW2024-K9-NA/dp/B007I5AE8S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452296937&sr=8-1&keywords=Cisco+SG300-28

Cisco SG 300-20 - $274.93
http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-SG-300-20-SRW2016-K9-NA-20-Port/dp/B0041ORN9M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452297203&sr=8-1&keywords=Cisco+SG300-20

robi

I use a dozen of similar TP-Links, they are fast, reliable, and low-power consuming.

messerchmidt

http://routerboard.com/CRS226-24G-2SplusIN

this mikrotik one is good, and had two 10gb uplinks for future use

bluepr0

@messerchmidt:

http://routerboard.com/CRS226-24G-2SplusIN

this mikrotik one is good, and had two 10gb uplinks for future use

Woha! How is this one so cheap?! Are these reliable? Thanks!

thadrumr

I have used a lot of the Mikrotik Products at work they are awesome products and are very reliable. The routers are very nice for the money. They have one that is a 72 core processor and will route over 100 Million packets per second. For switches also have a look at Ubiquiti products their Edgeswitch line are awesome products as well and very reliable. They are based on the Broadcom fast path chipset which HP and Dell use as the base for some of their switches. The company I work for uses all Mikrotik for routing and Ubiquiti Edgeswitch for switches. We started with the Cisco SG300/SG500 switches but could get just as good of a switch for almost half the cost using Ubiquiti. For example for a 24 port POE switch with a 250W power supply you are looking at $399. The non POE version is $199 retail. That Mikrotik CRS switch you linked to can also be a router.

https://www.ubnt.com/edgemax/edgeswitch-lite/
http://routerboard.com/CCR1072-1G-8Splus