I want to replace some ancient Dell PC 2716 switches I use now. I have three in service and three spares. I’ve kept them going over the years by replacing the capacitors in the power supplies when they failed to power up after a power failure, but it is time to retire them.
Here are my requirements:
Eight or more ports per switch
2.5 Gbps on all ports
Vlan support (802.1Q)
Fanless
I am looking at the Netgear MS308E, which seems to fulfill my needs. I was wondering if anyone has some real-world experience with this model or suggestions for a switch that you have had luck with.
I have not used Netgear in a while but that model should be fine there are a few others here in the forum that like Netgear. Some other alternatives would be the MikroTik CRS310-8G+2S+in and if you want to get into the UniFi eco-system Flex 2.5G USD-Flex-2.5G-8
Please note that the UniFi equipment does not have a web interface on the devices but need to be controlled via their free UniFI controller software.
I generally avoid the managed version of those cheap Amazon/AlliExpress switches
If you do buy a Netgear switch, carefully read the manual and be certain if the model you are buying is the Pro version and not the Plus version. Looking at the link it appears that it’s a Plus.
There are some differences between the two, obviously the Pro is a bit more but just double check the features you don’t get you can live without.
Do you have any of these in service? I would rather go with Mikrotik over Netgear, but it has a fan, and I wanted fanless, as one will be in my office. I wanted to know how loud the fan is and if it runs at a constant speed or on demand.
There are some 8 port offerings from ubiquity that may fit your needs.
A Budget friendly option, I believe it supports spanning protocol. I like it most because its compact and for a SMB or SOHO situation that doesn’t need PoE its a very capable switch. It also has a 10 gig uplink port to allow it to plug into a faster core network if your running some kind of core switch for file server or media.
The following PoE version is one I like, supports poe+ and PoE++ output, it has a lot of features including L3 management but its double the price of the other one I suggested.
If you look on the functionality chart it will show what features it supports. It has two 10 gig SFP uplink ports. Not bad at all for a 350 dollar option.
Some of you missed that one of my requirements is to have 2.5 Gbps on all ports.
I think the MikroTik CRS310-8G+2S+IN looks like my best option. It does have a fan, but it is on demand, and most reviewers say it is either off or very quiet unless the switch is passing a lot of traffic.
Every person here suggested something that can be 2.5gbps on the major ports, that CRS309 just happens to have ports that can be more than that. I would guess that all suggestions that include a 10gbps port can be set down to 2.5 with the correct setting or module. There was only 1 switch shown for comparison that only had gigabit, offered as an alternative with POE+ and POE++ which can be an important consideration.
As far as your choice with the Mikrotik, yes they are generally very quiet. Even my CRS326-24S+2Q+ with dual power supplies is fairly quiet for what it is doing. I think you will be happy with your choice until you out grow it, and by then maybe Mikrotik will have more 2.5 or faster offerings, their 2.5gbe lineup is kind of lacking right now and part of the reason I bought the bigger 326 switch. Finding modules that only go 2.5 is a task, and getting the 10gbe copper modules makes a lot of heat (at least in 10gbe mode) and cost is also a factor.
