Netgear 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch

Frank_Nitty

Jun 10, 2025 5:01 PM

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Joined Jul 2016

Frank_NittyJun 10, 2025 5:01 PM

9.6K Comments

I'm curious to know how the "Netgear Unmanaged Switch" in the OP compares to this switch here which I just bought.

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SteelRing

Jun 10, 2025 8:37 PM

675 Comments

Joined Sep 2006

SteelRingJun 10, 2025 8:37 PM

675 Comments

my understanding is I prefer the unmanaged one because I just want to plug cables and not deal with setup anything. i am not sophisticated enough to deal with managed switch.

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1

cjcain

Jun 10, 2025 11:23 PM

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Joined Dec 2007

cjcainJun 10, 2025 11:23 PM

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Quote from SteelRing

:

my understanding is I prefer the unmanaged one because I just want to plug cables and not deal with setup anything. i am not sophisticated enough to deal with managed switch.

You do not "need" to do anything with the managed switch. It will work as a switch. Managed just allows you to do remote management

4

burticus

Jun 10, 2025 11:35 PM

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Joined Jul 2003

burticusJun 10, 2025 11:35 PM

10.8K Comments

Thumbs up for the hardwired crowd!!! Wireless is fine for phones and tablets and such but when you need to throw real data across a network (ie - backup) wired is the only way to fly.

13

Dealsfinder2019

Jun 11, 2025 12:38 AM

553 Comments

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Dealsfinder2019Jun 11, 2025 12:38 AM

553 Comments

Quote from burticus

:

Thumbs up for the hardwired crowd!!! Wireless is fine for phones and tablets and such but when you need to throw real data across a network (ie - backup) wired is the only way to fly.

Meaning if you are a gamer or hardcore video streamer 😶 🌫️

1

SteelRing

Jun 11, 2025 1:14 AM

675 Comments

Joined Sep 2006

SteelRingJun 11, 2025 1:14 AM

675 Comments

Quote from cjcain

:

You do not "need" to do anything with the managed switch. It will work as a switch. Managed just allows you to do remote management

curious, what kind of management can you might want to do with just a simple network switch like this, what are the use cases?

2

psharkauburn

Jun 11, 2025 2:16 AM

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psharkauburnJun 11, 2025 2:16 AM

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Quote from Frank_Nitty

:

I'm curious to know how the "Netgear Unmanaged Switch" in the OP compares to this switch here which I just bought.

The switch you got is definitely a better switch, and pretty minimal price difference. The most common reason folks go with managed/smart switches is because they want to do vlans or want some extra security features. I personally also like the ability to actually log into the switch and *see things*, whether its connected devices, port status, traffic stats, etc... The managed switch is going to pull an IP address and have a management interface where the unmanaged dumb switch will not. These are both within the same manufacturer product line, so shouldn't be a big difference in physical quality.

My gut is that folks interested in something with 8 ports normally have a reason for needing a switch that big (they aren't just plugging in a single machine) and the extra flexibility the smart switch has comes in handy. I jumped on the $10 tp-link smart switch a few days ago (5 ports) which is another solid option. That netgear for $25 is a solid option for a name brand.

1

ekobk1

Jun 11, 2025 3:13 AM

509 Comments

Joined Dec 2018

ekobk1Jun 11, 2025 3:13 AM

509 Comments

Quote from Frank_Nitty

:

I'm curious to know how the "Netgear Unmanaged Switch" in the OP compares to this switch here which I just bought.

If you don't know the difference between an unmanaged and managed switch, you don't need a managed switch.

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NeatCable281

Jun 11, 2025 3:15 AM

570 Comments

Joined Oct 2022

NeatCable281Jun 11, 2025 3:15 AM

570 Comments

GS108 or GS308 price aside?

2

LovelyGoat9932

Jun 11, 2025 6:10 PM

283 Comments

Joined Dec 2024

LovelyGoat9932Jun 11, 2025 6:10 PM

283 Comments

I have a bunch of these, and they have been flawless for a very long time. The only complaint I have about this one and most basic switches is that it would be helpful if the lights were on the front while the network and power connections are on the back. With both network jacks and their built-in LEDs on the same side, it makes it difficult to make a clean desktop installation if you're the sort of geek that likes to see by the lights what the connection speeds are and which ones are active.

Just stay away from the Netgear switches that are housed in white plastic. I have had a 100% failure rate on the several I bought back in the day.

RelaxedScent3593

Jun 12, 2025 12:24 AM

36 Comments

Joined Oct 2024

RelaxedScent3593Jun 12, 2025 12:24 AM

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Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Quote from pgharibi

:

If you don't know the difference between an unmanaged and managed switch, you don't need a managed switch.

Yeah, that guy is awful for wanting to learn something.
If he wasn't born with this knowledge he shouldn't ask questions.

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ekobk1

Jun 12, 2025 6:40 PM

509 Comments

Joined Dec 2018

ekobk1Jun 12, 2025 6:40 PM

509 Comments

Quote from NeatCable281

:

GS108 or GS308 price aside?

They should be the same except for minor differences. If it's anything like the GS105 vs GS305 it should be the 108. On the 5 port version the only difference between the two is the GS105 has extra link speed LEDs and a lifetime warranty and is meant for businesses. I have the GS105 - just be warned that the extra set of LEDs make it quite bright compared to the dimmer 305 (which I've also tried), so not great for a bedroom. If the extra brightness isn't a deal breaker and it's only a couple bucks difference, get the 105/108.

Last edited by pgharibi June 12, 2025 at 11:44 AM.

2

SplendidMoon594

Jun 15, 2025 12:31 PM

8 Comments

Joined Oct 2019

SplendidMoon594Jun 15, 2025 12:31 PM

8 Comments

Quote from Frank_Nitty

:

I'm curious to know how the "Netgear Unmanaged Switch" in the OP compares to this switch here which I just bought.

Even if you don't use the managed features, it appears (from the Amazon listing) that the GS308E has an extra 2 years of warranty (5 vs 3years).

Cheapskate27

Jun 15, 2025 8:29 PM

1.3K Comments

Joined Jun 2011

Cheapskate27Jun 15, 2025 8:29 PM

1.3K Comments

Quote from pgharibi

:

They should be the same except for minor differences. If it's anything like the GS105 vs GS305 it should be the 108. On the 5 port version the only difference between the two is the GS105 has extra link speed LEDs and a lifetime warranty and is meant for businesses. I have the GS105 - just be warned that the extra set of LEDs make it quite bright compared to the dimmer 305 (which I've also tried), so not great for a bedroom. If the extra brightness isn't a deal breaker and it's only a couple bucks difference, get the 105/108.

There's also this SG108 by TP-Link, which I purchased two days ago:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A121...title&th=1
ChatGPT told me it was better than this Netgear 308, meant for enterprise vs consumer, more reliable, but the same in terms of capabilities. But it's the first time I've ever bought a switch. Also, not sure which brand has better support. What are your thoughts?

ekobk1

Jun 16, 2025 1:16 AM

509 Comments

Joined Dec 2018

ekobk1Jun 16, 2025 1:16 AM

509 Comments

Quote from Cheapskate27

:

There's also this SG108 by TP-Link, which I purchased two days ago:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A121...title&th=1 [amazon.com]
ChatGPT told me it was better than this Netgear 308, meant for enterprise vs consumer, more reliable, but the same in terms of capabilities. But it's the first time I've ever bought a switch. Also, not sure which brand has better support. What are your thoughts?

Cheap unmanaged switches for home and small office are all basically a commodity, there isn't too differentiation between them other than one might have a plastic enclosure and one might have a metal one, Gigabit speed vs more than gigabit, and the number of ports. Why would you need support for a switch? It's a buy and don't think too much about it thing. There's no software or firmware updates.

Netgear 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch

$18

$28

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