GS105

NETGEAR GS105UK 5-PORT GIGABIT UNMANAGED ETHERNET SWITCH. (NOTE:- Please be aware that multiple different types/models of these Netgear switches are all foolishly grouped together under one single product review. Unless the review CLEARLY states the SPECIFIC model, you could be reading a review for a completely different model to the one you're looking to purchase)!!! ADDITIONALLY - Before I mention anything else, IF you do purchase the "GS105UK Unmanaged" - You MAY NEED to connect your router to PORT 5. (There's been conflicting info online regarding this issue for YEARS. Worse still, there's multiple versions of the GS105 as it's been in continuous production for years, in different variations, & released in countless nations. Some versions/variants ARE different to others!! (My last Netgear GS105 also inexplicably required the router in port 5 for example). Netgear's aging installation diagram shows the modem/router connected to a centre port. Many sources say it just doesn't matter which port, whilst others say the router must be connected to port 5!! (However, IF I don't use port 5 for my router on my switch & I connect another device there instead, it drops all other connections. Router in port 5, everything works exactly as it should regardless of connecting/disconnecting any other ports). With that out of the way.... As with many, I have an ever increasing number of devices in my home with internet connectivity that include ethernet. Router manufacturers insist on limiting available ethernet ports to 4 or in some cases only 2 & it's just not enough. If you just need additional ethernet ports without any other hassle, an unmanaged switch is an ideal solution. I've been networking PC's since the latter 1990's at a home/semi-enthusiast level or setting up for others. I've always prefered my static devices such as desktops, gaming consoles, TV, miscellaneous devices, (frequently laptops as well) to be hard wired for security, speed, & reliability, especially with some of my devices constantly file sharing, streaming, etc. My previous unmanaged switch recently died after many years solid service. I settled on another unmanaged switch for my current needs & for most who simply need extra ethernet ports, an unmanaged switch is all that's required. Given the low cost of these devices now, if I find a managed switch would be more beneficial I'll purchase one as required. I'm reasonably tech savvy, since installing the switch I've used a number of the most common tools freely & readily available for testing my home network for any issues. Thus far this new Netgear switch has performed admirably & I haven't run into any problems at all, (other than the port 5 nonsense). I've recently purchased a new router & swapped out all of my old ethernet cabling as well. I'm very happy with the performance of the switch & the entire network. The switch is very well made & they now have a full metal enclosure, (my last one was plastic). They are easily wall mountable for keeping the switch & all the additional cabling as tidy as is possible. The ports are all solid & to date I've only had one older Cat6 cable where the connector failed to lock in place. All of my newer Cat6a cables lock in securely, (which is just as well as it's considerably thicker than the 14 year old Cat6 it's replacing & the Cat6a is not particularly pliable). Otherwise, it's incredibly simple to use. Power up, connect your ethernet devices & that's it, no software or configuration necessary. (If you require greater control/options, purchase a managed switch)!! Each port simply has a pair of green lights to visually confirm the status of individual ports. The product is supplied in retail packaging with a quick start guide, (if memory serves the quick start guide hasn't changed in years). A power supply is also included, & a couple of small screws & raw plugs for wall/surface mounting. It's a good idea to register your switch on Netgear's website for warranty purposes, etc. Compared to a managed switch they are very simple but highly effective, they do their job perfectly well. I would happily recommend the GS105UK & gladly rate this updated metal variant at 5/5.

With so many of these on the market I decided to take the plunge and opted for this product as NETGEAR is a well-known name. I am quite knowledgeable on PC matters but this is simply a 'plug n play' item, just connect 1 Ethernet cable (not supplied|) in to your Router and the other into port 5 of the item and that is basically it; all you have to do now is connect your cabled items into either your Router or the Switch. It is quite small, metal, very sturdy and well-made, it also comes with screws and wall-plugs should you wish to have it on a wall; I ran speed tests connected to the Router and the Switch and there was no drop in service at all, as I run a small network in my house I connected these items to my Switch and the rest in to the Router. If you need to connect more items than what your Router will let you then this little gem is a must!

If you're reading this review then, either (a) you don't know what an Ethernet switch is but are intrigued, or (b) you know what one is and want to know if the Netgear GS105 is a good example of one. If you fit into the latter category, an Ethernet switch like this is basically a hub that allows several devices (in this case up to four) to connect to one port on your router, handy if you have a 4-port router but five or more connected devices. On the surface the GS105 seems about as simple as switches come - a small, blue metal box with a power socket on the back and five Ethernet ports on the front. Each port has two green lights above it that helpfully light up to tell you the connection speed of the device at each port - one light for 10 Mbps, the other for 100 Mbps and both for Gigabit speeds. To use the GS105, you do nothing more than plugging one end of an Ethernet cable into your router (none come with it, unfortunately) and the other end into one of the ports on the front of the GS105. Then plug your connected devices (PC, games console, PVR, etc.) into the other ports on the switch, plug it in and you're done! It really is as simple as that. You can leave the GS105 sitting on your desk when it's in use, or you can attach it to a wall using screws and plastic rawlplugs - the manual says that none are supplied but there were two of each with mine. Once connected, each of your devices will have a connection to the internet, provided your router is itself connected of course, as well as a connection to each other for networking purposes. You'll need category 6 Ethernet cables to take advantage of full, Gigabit-speed networking; a lesser category may work but it isn't guaranteed, and with the lit port lights you can see whether or not your cable is giving a full-speed connection or not. But if you don't have any suitable cables, it's well worth buying some for gaining the benefits of Gigabit speeds. In the relatively short time I've had it in use, my GS105 has proved completely reliable and extremely useful. I regularly stream movies from my network storage drive to my PS3 and PC, and the increase in speed from 100 to 1000 Mbps has been noticeable. Additionally, saving large files between devices now happens faster that ever before, a boon when I copy files from one place to another, as I often do. Just bear in mind that a network is only a fast as its slowest part, so make sure all of your components, including the router, are Gigabit-capable and set up properly to take advantage of it.

Ich habe mehr Service erwartet. Nach langem hin und her Gerät funktioniert nicht.

Not much else to say, it works just fine.