NETGEAR 8 Port Gigabit Unmanged Plus Business-Class Desktop Switch - Lifetime Warranty (GS108E) NETGEAR 8 Port Gigabit Unmanged Plus Business-Class Desktop Switch - Lifetime Warranty (GS108E)

Pros: Reliable and fast when connecting regular home peripherals

Cons: Runs pretty hot. Doesn't work well with other smart/managed switches

Other Thoughts: I've been using the GS108E as my main network switch for over a year. I have a DSL modem, wireless access point, Linux and Windows computers, an HP printer, and a media hub plugged into it. The network has been fairly reliable except when I try to plug a Cisco SG200-08 smart switch into it to extend my network. It will work for a little while, then the Netgear GS108E will randomly turn off that port. At first I suspected VLAN, QoS, or STP, and played with those settings, but nothing I've tried has fixed the problem. The Cisco switch, on the other hand, never shuts down. I also have intermittent problems connecting to the HP printer that looks like to me like it's probably a IGMP/UPnP/multicast issue, but I'm not ready to blame this switch yet.

Pros: VLANS.

Cons: Management interface is terrible. Switch broken after 2 months. Terrible RMA process. Never buying Netgear again.

Other Thoughts: I updated the firmware on this device and now it will not take any passwords so I cannot configure the switch. Netgear support says this is a hardware issue and they will replace the switch when I choose one of three shipping options: 1) take my network down for a week and ship the switch to them first. 2) pay 1/3 the purchase price for them to ship the switch to me first. 3) pay 2/3 the purchase price for them to ship the switch first and next business day shipping.

In order to keep my network up I have to pay 1/3 of the purchase price of the switch at a minimum. Netgear RMA process is terrible. I will pay the money this time and I will never buy another Netgear product again.

To Netgear: if you want to keep customers you should really rethink this process.

Pros: it looks pretty

Cons: -only lasted a year and half. out of the 3 i purchased, 2 are now paper weights. the ports die one by one.

-refuse to pick up an IP via DHCP and instead using some default IP. this makes updating the firmware 100% impossible. the only way to update the firmware is via netgear utility and it only talks to devices that are on the same subnetwork as the computer running the utility (ex: if utility runs on a computer with an IP of 10.0.0.X, the switch must also have an IP of 10.0.0.X).

-netgear's claim to lifetime warranties is an absolute lie! contact them for a replacement several times for this product and an older model , GS108. first they ask you for proof of purchase, which is OK. However, if the device is older than 1 year, you are out of luck! Any device older than 365 days has no warranty.

Other Thoughts: I have many dead neatgear switches laying around at the office. All of which are business class (metal casing) products. some 8 port switches, some 16 port, and a 48 port. it's basically the same story with them all. the oldest of which is 3 years old. it says lifetime warranty on the box, but when you call them to fix it it's too old.

Newegg, please remove the "lifetime warranty" nonsense from all Netgear products.

Claiming a "lifetime warranty" on the packaging of the product but later denying to warranty it because their definition of "lifetime" is only 1 year without explicitly stating so on the packaging is against the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act.

In other words, what Netgear is doing is illegal! I think it's time for a class action lawsuit.

Pros: Cheap. Has a decent amount of configuration options. Metal chassis.

Cons: As mentioned in other reviews, the power supply *does* emit a high pitched "whistle". This wouldn't be a problem if you had it shoved in a closet or basement somewhere but if it's on or under your desk and the room is quiet, you do notice it. Easily fixed by purchasing an aftermarket power supply.

Other Thoughts: Do not buy if you're not tech savvy or don't have someone who knows about networking on hand. You'll need to know a bit about how to configure your network settings on your PC and you'll need to know what subnet your network is on.

Pros: Seems to use less than 1 watt
Can do 802.1q vlans
easy to see lights
price!

Cons: none really - for the price and the power it uses

Other Thoughts: Things to note: It doesn't have a web interface like some of the other netgear switches. But what do you expect from something that uses less than 1 watt of power? You have to use an adobe air app that lets you discover and configure it. I was able to set it up and tie it in with a switch using 802.1q vlans (dig into the ui and you'll find it) and put specific ports on different vlans with ease. I was hoping it would do snmp monitoring too but it doesn't seem to.

Pros: Fairly easy to setup out of the box.
Stable operation.
Inexpensive. I got 3 for $74 with Newegg's 3 for 2 special and $10 rebates for each.

Cons: The Windows management software relies on Adobe Air and WinPcap. Like others I wish it just used a web interface but I know cheap comes with a price. Software a little sluggish. Need to constantly enter password when selecting different switches in Prosafe. It would be nice if it kept the passwords active until you closed the application. May go into an endless 'firmware file request' cycle when updating firmware fails.

Other Thoughts: I can't believe Netgear's customer support told the other user that the item was defective when in a firmware file request cycle. If you get that error message chances are that the firmware failed to install. Do a factory reset with a paperclip (unplug and replug if necessary). The IP should now be reset to 192.168.0.239. You will now get switch "not in the same subnet" as manager. Change your computer's IP to 192.168.0.xxx and wait for the network to refresh. Your computer and the failed switch are now on the same subnet. Now when you log into Prosafe and are requested to update the firmware you should have no problem. If you still can't talk to the swtich you can plug the failed switch into a good switch that has your computer plugged in (or possibly just plug your computer into the failed switch) and then follow the above steps. Once the firmware is installed your switch's old settings should be restored. You can now change your computer's IP address back to what it was.

Pros: Solid construction and good functioning switch.

Cons: DO NOT UPDATE THE FIRMWARE BEWARE!!!

I updated the firmware from version 1.00.04 to 1.00.05. Firmware updated without a hitch however, after reboot, the switch got stuck in a update firmware loop that it would not break out of. It continually prompted for the firmware file to update. I contacted NetGear support, initiated a case file for support and they determined it is a hardware failure. The managed software is the only reason I bought the switch, without it, it is just another switch. Additionally, I could only access the switch with software installed in windows (not 7, had to use a windows xp virtual machine). Overall serious flaws with the limited managed part of the switch.

Other Thoughts: Stick with a standard unmanaged switch if you can for 8 ports or less otherwise your rolling the device with this product.

Pros: Great gigabit switch with some excellent features at this price point but the power supply bundled with it is complete garbage. It emits an incredibly annoying high pitch squeal that seems to change with network activity. This power supply cannot seem to handle the power saving feature of the switch and makes noise. I hope Netgear has a solution.

Cons: Power Supply, noise

Pros: Correction to previous review, the switch was $30 after $15 MIR. Just got the rebate back today! Great turn around, and hassle free.

Cons: Still None.

Pros: Been using this for a couple weeks, and it's running great. I've owned Netgear switches in the past and never had any issues. Grabbed this for $15 after MIR. Managed, 8 port gig switch for 15 bucks? Can't go wrong considering the brand.

Cons: None

Other Thoughts: I'm still waiting to hear back on the rebate. I will update if anything goes wrong there, but I don't expect anything crazy.