Off topic: network switch question

This has nothing to do with my Asus motherboards, all of which are
working well, but I've always received good advice in this forum..

I just had a gigabit network switch die, and I've been researching the
inexpensive units meant for unmanaged home LANs. It turns out that some
of the brand-name units like Netgear models do NOT provide gigabit
networking in a mixed environment -- i.e., if just one device connected
to the switch is 10 or 100 Mbs only, then the switch runs ALL of its
connections at that slower rate, even if the other computers have
gigabit NICs. (This probably explains the disappointing results I
experienced after connecting my Buffalo Gigabit LinkStation (NAS) to the
computers on my LAN via two inexpensive Netgear gigabit switches.)

I'm having a problem identifying WHICH replacement to buy because the
manufacturers do not specify whether their products actually do provide
gigabit switching in mixed environments.

I'm hoping to spend less than $70 for such a product, and I want one
that doesn't require configuration. Does anyone have experience with a
switch like that in a mixed environment -- some computers with gigabit
NICs and some with only older 100Mbs NICs?

Ron

Get the GS108.
http://www.netgear.com/Products/Swit...hes/GS108.aspx
Integrates 10, 100, and 1000 Mbps devices on the same network. Every
port automatically senses the right speed and full/half duplex mode,
and Auto Uplink™ technology automatically adjusts for straight-through
or crossover cables.
Lifetime Warranty.

On Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:30:47 -0500, milleron <>
wrote:

>This has nothing to do with my Asus motherboards, all of which are
>working well, but I've always received good advice in this forum..
>
>I just had a gigabit network switch die, and I've been researching the
>inexpensive units meant for unmanaged home LANs. It turns out that some
>of the brand-name units like Netgear models do NOT provide gigabit
>networking in a mixed environment -- i.e., if just one device connected
>to the switch is 10 or 100 Mbs only, then the switch runs ALL of its
>connections at that slower rate, even if the other computers have
>gigabit NICs. (This probably explains the disappointing results I
>experienced after connecting my Buffalo Gigabit LinkStation (NAS) to the
>computers on my LAN via two inexpensive Netgear gigabit switches.)
>
>I'm having a problem identifying WHICH replacement to buy because the
>manufacturers do not specify whether their products actually do provide
>gigabit switching in mixed environments.
>
>I'm hoping to spend less than $70 for such a product, and I want one
>that doesn't require configuration. Does anyone have experience with a
>switch like that in a mixed environment -- some computers with gigabit
>NICs and some with only older 100Mbs NICs?
>
>Ron

milleron wrote:

> I just had a gigabit network switch die, and I've been researching the
> inexpensive units meant for unmanaged home LANs. It turns out that some
> of the brand-name units like Netgear models do NOT provide gigabit
> networking in a mixed environment -- i.e., if just one device connected
> to the switch is 10 or 100 Mbs only, then the switch runs ALL of its
> connections at that slower rate, even if the other computers have
> gigabit NICs.

I too will be interested to see the answers to this. I had always
thought that this was true of a hub but specifically *not* true of a
switch. In fact, as far as I knew, that was the major practical
difference between hub and switch.

In article <>, wrote:
>This has nothing to do with my Asus motherboards, all of which are
>working well, but I've always received good advice in this forum..
>
>I just had a gigabit network switch die, and I've been researching the
>inexpensive units meant for unmanaged home LANs. It turns out that some
>of the brand-name units like Netgear models do NOT provide gigabit
>networking in a mixed environment -- i.e., if just one device connected
>to the switch is 10 or 100 Mbs only, then the switch runs ALL of its
>connections at that slower rate, even if the other computers have
>gigabit NICs. (This probably explains the disappointing results I
>experienced after connecting my Buffalo Gigabit LinkStation (NAS) to the
>computers on my LAN via two inexpensive Netgear gigabit switches.)
>
I dont have the time right now to look the specific model up but why not look
into a Buffalo branded router.


>I'm having a problem identifying WHICH replacement to buy because the
>manufacturers do not specify whether their products actually do provide
>gigabit switching in mixed environments.
>
>I'm hoping to spend less than $70 for such a product, and I want one
>that doesn't require configuration. Does anyone have experience with a
>switch like that in a mixed environment -- some computers with gigabit
>NICs and some with only older 100Mbs NICs?
>
>Ron

GMAN wrote:
> In article <>, wrote:
>> This has nothing to do with my Asus motherboards, all of which are
>> working well, but I've always received good advice in this forum..
>>
>> I just had a gigabit network switch die, and I've been researching the
>> inexpensive units meant for unmanaged home LANs. It turns out that some
>> of the brand-name units like Netgear models do NOT provide gigabit
>> networking in a mixed environment -- i.e., if just one device connected
>> to the switch is 10 or 100 Mbs only, then the switch runs ALL of its
>> connections at that slower rate, even if the other computers have
>> gigabit NICs. (This probably explains the disappointing results I
>> experienced after connecting my Buffalo Gigabit LinkStation (NAS) to the
>> computers on my LAN via two inexpensive Netgear gigabit switches.)
>>
> I dont have the time right now to look the specific model up but why not look
> into a Buffalo branded router.
>
>
>> I'm having a problem identifying WHICH replacement to buy because the
>> manufacturers do not specify whether their products actually do provide
>> gigabit switching in mixed environments.
>>
>> I'm hoping to spend less than $70 for such a product, and I want one
>> that doesn't require configuration. Does anyone have experience with a
>> switch like that in a mixed environment -- some computers with gigabit
>> NICs and some with only older 100Mbs NICs?
>>
>> Ron

Already have a router. Just need a gigabit switch.

Thanks for the input? What I'm asking is if you can personally vouch
for the product's ability to connect gigabit devices at gigabit speeds
when there are also 100Mbs devices connected to the switch?

I'd prefer an option other than Netgear. The 100+ reviews of this item
at Newegg, indicate that it fails so often that disgruntled users have
coined a term, "the flashing lights of death," to describe the way it
dies. It appears that many users don't get more than a few months out
of it, and then Netgear support is difficult to deal with.

Also, the jacks are on the front of the unit, so if you have it facing
cables coming from the rear of the desktop, you can't see the LEDs.

STILL, if someone can tell me that his own experience shows it to work
in a mixed environment, then, for just $60, I'd be willing to take a chance.

Andy wrote:
> Get the GS108.
> http://www.netgear.com/Products/Swit...hes/GS108.aspx
> Integrates 10, 100, and 1000 Mbps devices on the same network. Every
> port automatically senses the right speed and full/half duplex mode,
> and Auto Uplink™ technology automatically adjusts for straight-through
> or crossover cables.
> Lifetime Warranty.
>
> On Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:30:47 -0500, milleron <>
> wrote:
>
>> This has nothing to do with my Asus motherboards, all of which are
>> working well, but I've always received good advice in this forum..
>>
>> I just had a gigabit network switch die, and I've been researching the
>> inexpensive units meant for unmanaged home LANs. It turns out that some
>> of the brand-name units like Netgear models do NOT provide gigabit
>> networking in a mixed environment -- i.e., if just one device connected
>> to the switch is 10 or 100 Mbs only, then the switch runs ALL of its
>> connections at that slower rate, even if the other computers have
>> gigabit NICs. (This probably explains the disappointing results I
>> experienced after connecting my Buffalo Gigabit LinkStation (NAS) to the
>> computers on my LAN via two inexpensive Netgear gigabit switches.)
>>
>> I'm having a problem identifying WHICH replacement to buy because the
>> manufacturers do not specify whether their products actually do provide
>> gigabit switching in mixed environments.
>>
>> I'm hoping to spend less than $70 for such a product, and I want one
>> that doesn't require configuration. Does anyone have experience with a
>> switch like that in a mixed environment -- some computers with gigabit
>> NICs and some with only older 100Mbs NICs?
>>
>> Ron

Any cheap networking device will be suspect and have bad reviews. There is a
reason why some items are as cheap as they are. The other thing you have to
consider is how fast a switch can process data, and how it processes the
data. A good 10/100 switch will outperform a cheap GB switch just due to how
well it can process and foreword data to the next hop or machine. Netgear's
professional and small business line is very well built and performs pretty
damn good for the price range they are in. Buy the cheap stuff, and you get
what you pay for.


"milleron" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Thanks for the input? What I'm asking is if you can personally vouch for
> the product's ability to connect gigabit devices at gigabit speeds when
> there are also 100Mbs devices connected to the switch?
>
> I'd prefer an option other than Netgear. The 100+ reviews of this item at
> Newegg, indicate that it fails so often that disgruntled users have coined
> a term, "the flashing lights of death," to describe the way it dies. It
> appears that many users don't get more than a few months out of it, and
> then Netgear support is difficult to deal with.
>
> Also, the jacks are on the front of the unit, so if you have it facing
> cables coming from the rear of the desktop, you can't see the LEDs.
>
> STILL, if someone can tell me that his own experience shows it to work in
> a mixed environment, then, for just $60, I'd be willing to take a chance.
>
> Andy wrote:
>> Get the GS108.
>> http://www.netgear.com/Products/Swit...hes/GS108.aspx
>> Integrates 10, 100, and 1000 Mbps devices on the same network. Every
>> port automatically senses the right speed and full/half duplex mode,
>> and Auto Uplink™ technology automatically adjusts for straight-through
>> or crossover cables.
>> Lifetime Warranty.
>>
>> On Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:30:47 -0500, milleron <>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> This has nothing to do with my Asus motherboards, all of which are
>>> working well, but I've always received good advice in this forum..
>>>
>>> I just had a gigabit network switch die, and I've been researching the
>>> inexpensive units meant for unmanaged home LANs. It turns out that some
>>> of the brand-name units like Netgear models do NOT provide gigabit
>>> networking in a mixed environment -- i.e., if just one device connected
>>> to the switch is 10 or 100 Mbs only, then the switch runs ALL of its
>>> connections at that slower rate, even if the other computers have
>>> gigabit NICs. (This probably explains the disappointing results I
>>> experienced after connecting my Buffalo Gigabit LinkStation (NAS) to the
>>> computers on my LAN via two inexpensive Netgear gigabit switches.)
>>>
>>> I'm having a problem identifying WHICH replacement to buy because the
>>> manufacturers do not specify whether their products actually do provide
>>> gigabit switching in mixed environments.
>>>
>>> I'm hoping to spend less than $70 for such a product, and I want one
>>> that doesn't require configuration. Does anyone have experience with a
>>> switch like that in a mixed environment -- some computers with gigabit
>>> NICs and some with only older 100Mbs NICs?
>>>
>>> Ron

I've been using one since May of '07, transferring lots of GB sized
files through it. Connected to the GS108 are three computers with
gigabit NICs, one computer with 100 Mb NIC, a DSL router, and a
HDHomerun ATSC tuner with a 100 Mb connection.

On Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:00:22 -0500, milleron <>
wrote:

>Thanks for the input? What I'm asking is if you can personally vouch
>for the product's ability to connect gigabit devices at gigabit speeds
>when there are also 100Mbs devices connected to the switch?
>
>I'd prefer an option other than Netgear. The 100+ reviews of this item
>at Newegg, indicate that it fails so often that disgruntled users have
>coined a term, "the flashing lights of death," to describe the way it
>dies. It appears that many users don't get more than a few months out
>of it, and then Netgear support is difficult to deal with.
>
>Also, the jacks are on the front of the unit, so if you have it facing
>cables coming from the rear of the desktop, you can't see the LEDs.
>
>STILL, if someone can tell me that his own experience shows it to work
>in a mixed environment, then, for just $60, I'd be willing to take a chance.
>
>Andy wrote:
>> Get the GS108.
>> http://www.netgear.com/Products/Swit...hes/GS108.aspx
>> Integrates 10, 100, and 1000 Mbps devices on the same network. Every
>> port automatically senses the right speed and full/half duplex mode,
>> and Auto Uplink™ technology automatically adjusts for straight-through
>> or crossover cables.
>> Lifetime Warranty.
>>
>> On Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:30:47 -0500, milleron <>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> This has nothing to do with my Asus motherboards, all of which are
>>> working well, but I've always received good advice in this forum..
>>>
>>> I just had a gigabit network switch die, and I've been researching the
>>> inexpensive units meant for unmanaged home LANs. It turns out that some
>>> of the brand-name units like Netgear models do NOT provide gigabit
>>> networking in a mixed environment -- i.e., if just one device connected
>>> to the switch is 10 or 100 Mbs only, then the switch runs ALL of its
>>> connections at that slower rate, even if the other computers have
>>> gigabit NICs. (This probably explains the disappointing results I
>>> experienced after connecting my Buffalo Gigabit LinkStation (NAS) to the
>>> computers on my LAN via two inexpensive Netgear gigabit switches.)
>>>
>>> I'm having a problem identifying WHICH replacement to buy because the
>>> manufacturers do not specify whether their products actually do provide
>>> gigabit switching in mixed environments.
>>>
>>> I'm hoping to spend less than $70 for such a product, and I want one
>>> that doesn't require configuration. Does anyone have experience with a
>>> switch like that in a mixed environment -- some computers with gigabit
>>> NICs and some with only older 100Mbs NICs?
>>>
>>> Ron

That's exactly the advice and information I needed. I'm off to Newegg
to get a GS108. Thanks VERY much, Andy.

Andy wrote:
> I've been using one since May of '07, transferring lots of GB sized
> files through it. Connected to the GS108 are three computers with
> gigabit NICs, one computer with 100 Mb NIC, a DSL router, and a
> HDHomerun ATSC tuner with a 100 Mb connection.
snip


>>>>
>>>> I just had a gigabit network switch die, and I've been researching the
>>>> inexpensive units meant for unmanaged home LANs. It turns out that some
>>>> of the brand-name units like Netgear models do NOT provide gigabit
>>>> networking in a mixed environment -- i.e., if just one device connected
>>>> to the switch is 10 or 100 Mbs only, then the switch runs ALL of its
>>>> connections at that slower rate, even if the other computers have
>>>> gigabit NICs. (This probably explains the disappointing results I
>>>> experienced after connecting my Buffalo Gigabit LinkStation (NAS) to the
>>>> computers on my LAN via two inexpensive Netgear gigabit switches.)
>>>>
>>>> I'm having a problem identifying WHICH replacement to buy because the
>>>> manufacturers do not specify whether their products actually do provide
>>>> gigabit switching in mixed environments.
>>>>
>>>> I'm hoping to spend less than $70 for such a product, and I want one
>>>> that doesn't require configuration. Does anyone have experience with a
>>>> switch like that in a mixed environment -- some computers with gigabit
>>>> NICs and some with only older 100Mbs NICs?
>>>>
>>>> Ron