TP-LINK Smart Switches anyone?

[johnpoz]

And those are not the one that you actually quoted being discussed.

you quoted
https://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=76022.msg721163#msg721163

Which clearly stated the "I have the TL-SG108E"  Which while it allows you to download a backup cfg file - it is not text editable file.

[robi]

Back in 2014, when I opened this thread, I intended it to be genearally about TP-Link switches, not only particular models. Since this is not TP-Link's support forum, I guess we don't really have to be so strict.
Yes I quoted a certain message reffering to that type, but nowhere in my answer I stated that that specific model has to have this feature. I outlined though, that there are many switch families in the TP-Link product line, and simply because the lowest end model is not a full-featured piece, that doesn't mean that higher models aren't.

[johnpoz]

"not a full-featured piece, that doesn't mean that higher models aren't."

Agreed.. My point was you were pointing to something that the user/post you quoted can not do is all.

[robi]

Well that's true….

But what the user can do however (based on information in this topic) is to choose the apropriate model to suit his/her needs. Unfortunately manufacturers (all of them, not only tplink) don't make publicly available detailed tech documentation, most of the advanced features are being discovered by trial and error, after one buys the hardware.

This is the reason why I always describe in detail my experiences with certain devices, so that people looking forward to acquire them, could perhaps save time and money wasting on hardware unsuitable for their needs, or on hardware which could be overkilling/overpriced.

[stephenw10]

I have the TL-SG1016DE 1.0. I wouldn't go as far as calling it junk, it's still good as a 16 port fanless gigabit switch. I use it for testing various VLAN setups but I would not use it in any scenario requiring isolation for security purposes.

However I hear good things about the full managed TP-Link models. Haven't ever tried one myself….

Steve

[Derelict]

Specifically commenting about the SG108E. Stand by it. :)

[BrucexLing]

@marcf:

The TP Easy Smart switches do support trunking (if by trunking you mean tagging multiple vlans on a single port to carry those networks to another managed switch).

I'm running two of this in a production environment and there is a trunk line between them to carry the VLANs. Have not had a single problem.

I'm purchasing a Netgear ProSafe smart switch to try out - it has a built in webUI instead of relying solely on a windows utility for configuration like the TP-LINK. For the price point though I've been happy with TP-LINK.

I am just starting to learn about VLANs and switch capabilty.  I now have an older TL-SG108E switch and have just bought a new TL-SG1024DE switch (both Easy Smart switches).  The documentation and configuration menu for the older TL-SG108E makes reference to Port Trunking so I jumped to the conclusion that I would be able to span VLANs across these two switches, and so bought the newer switch too.  When I look at the documentation for the newer switch I see that TP-Link have done what appears to be a global search and replace of the term “Trunk” with the term “LAG”.  This bit of editing was only partly successful though, because there are still references to Trunking persisting in the newer document.

I would conclude that I have just been misled by TP-Link’s misuse of terminology, except for the earlier post by marcf (quoted here) where he claims to be successfully Trunking between two Easy Smart switches.

I, and probably others, would much appreciate if someone could condense the wisdom gained over the last 3 years on this topic into a statement of just what these Easy Smart switches are capable of. (Beyond the role of door stop of course Derelict https://forum.pfsense.org/Smileys/default/wink.gif)

[jahonix]

Someone is mixing up the terms LAG (Link Aggregation Group) and Trunking.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Link_aggregation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trunking#Computer_networks

Both sing in the same choir but with different pitch.

[Derelict]

If you can tag vlans on both sides you can "trunk" the vlans between switches.

[BrucexLing]

Thanks guys.  I now see the distinction between Port Trunking and Ethernet Trunking.  In a sense one is the inverse of the other?

And Derelict, I will give your test suggestion a work out as soon as I can.