I currently am running 100Mbit and need to upgrade to GigE.  I will leave most of my network at 100Mbit but have a switch sit between the unraid and the two primary viewing locations.

 

Any recommendations?  Cheap/fast is the combo I want.

 

 

Bill

I currently am running 100Mbit and need to upgrade to GigE.  I will leave most of my network at 100Mbit but have a switch sit between the unraid and the two primary viewing locations.

 

Any recommendations?  Cheap/fast is the combo I want.

 

 

Bill

I use a Netgear GS608 switch wired exactly as you described.  One of its ports goes to my belkin wireless router. That part of the network is still at 100Mb/s.  One port to the unRaid server, one to my HomeTheater PC, two of the ports go to my MG-35 media players... although the MG-35s are only 100Mb/s their performance was noticeably improved over use of the 100Mb switch built into the wireless router.  (I guess if you can handle 1000 Mb/s then 100 is easier)

 

The Netgear GS608 is an 8 port switch, the newer (v2) version supports jumbo frames (although I don't use jumbo frames, you might have equipment that can take advantage of them.)  Newer version serial numbers start with 1FK, older (without jumbo frame support) with 137.

 

Got my GS608  quite a while ago on sale for $39 (after a rebate) at Comp USA.  That's fairly cheap as  far as an 8 port switch goes.  newegg currently seems to have it for $58 with a $15 rebate and free shipping. ($43 after rebate)

 

In any case,  it works well, has nothing to config, just plug in the cables and go.

 

Joe L.

Thanks for the feedback.  I am also looking at a D-Link 8-port unit, the DGS-2208.  Seems to have good reviews and is fairly priced $50 at frys.com (and elsewhere) without the rebate hassle.  While I probably could get a 5-port device for a bit less, it seems like a good insurance to have a bit more expandability - I would prefer not to daisy-chain too many devices.

 

 

Bill

I really like the D-Link DGS-2208 myself.  I added it to the existing network, and left the existing D-Link DI-624 to handle what it does best (Internet connection, wireless connections, DHCP, port forwarding, etc), and moved all the gigabit capable computers to the 2208.  Works great, fast, inexpensive, auto adapts to everything, seems completely transparent.  It requires no setup.  To the rest of my computers, it looks as if 7 gigabit ports were added to the DI-624.  It's supposed to have support for jumbo frames, which may be helpful in the future.

 

I believe I got it for $30 to $35, currently on Newegg for $35 with rebate, $45 without, free shipping.

 

Another vote for the GS608, just bought it, no problems, blisteringly fast, compared to 100Mbs .... dirt cheap with the rebates