SOHO switch recommendations

athurdent

Bought 2 SG300-10 in 2010, still running fine and still getting firmware updates. 191€ a piece back then.

P3R

Off the top of my head…

Thanks for answering.

…(and these may be specific to the GS724Tv4):

If you set the switch to use a NTP server (instead of trying to keep track of time locally), it can often be difficult to get the switch to retain that setting. After a few reboots, it might retain the setting... until the next reboot.

Yes at least this one must be specific to the v4. I guess I was lucky to get the v3s then.

I have two GS724Tv3, five GS108Tv2 and one XS712T all using ntp and I've never experienced that or any other ntp-related issue on any of them.

pLu

@jahonix:

I was about to mention HP switches like an 1810G-24 but they aren't available anymore.
Since HP.com doesn't even list switches I wonder if they want to sell them at all…

You find the switches on HPE nowadays, since the company split. They have rebranded some switches to Aruba. 1820-24G

VAMike

@Snugglebear:

Funny, I distinctly recall all sorts of NTP errors with the GSM series, including one that could never sync up. That was still better than another unit which would hard reset if you dared to save the configuration.

From what it sounds like the suggestions are to either go with an enterprise level solution such as a Cisco or HP (at relatively high cost unless buying used) or find something more commodity-oriented with a better management software stack. Does that sound about right?

It really depends on what you're looking for. The original request was for a basic switch for a not-networking-oriented user. The netgear "smart" switches provide basic functionality and throw in a few features that you might find useful for about the same price as something with no additional functionality at all. Some of the features on the netgear may be a bit flaky (though, don't get me started on the crazy matrix of cisco firmware level limitations) and if you're really trying to do stuff like ipv6 l3 routing or igmp snooping you should probably spend more money on something else. BUT, you're very likely to want a 10gbe upgrade in the not so distant future as the cost of that gear keeps falling, so why spend money on a higher end 1gbe solution now if you're not likely to really utilize the added functionality before you get around to a 10gbe upgrade? Only you can decide what your actual priorities are, but make sure you're buying the thing that you're looking for and not the thing that someone else is looking for.