Your Guide To The Top 10 8-Port Network Switches

So, you’ve been given the task to find out what the best Switch is.

Well, congratulations to you.

You’ve just stumbled across exactly what you’re looking for.

And for those of you who are not too sure what exactly a switch is, but you’ve been set the mission anyway, be prepared to get enlightened.

A network switch is a small bit of hardware that brings together communications of multiple connected devices into a single local area network (LAN).

Some people also refer to switches as:

• Switching hubs
• Bridging hubs
• MAC bridges

Home routers, that already have switches integrated into them, support Gigabit Ethernet speeds per individual link, but high-performance switches like those in data centres usually support 10Gbps per link.
Switches can support a range of connected devices. Consumer-grade devices, like the ones found in your routers at home, usually support 4 or 8 connections. Whereas, corporate devices can support between 32 and 128 connections.

Now, that’s a lot of connections.

Surely these need to be managed.

High-end devices, like the ones described above, support a range of advanced features designed to be controlled by a professional administrator. Some of these popular features are SNMP monitoring, link aggregation and QoS support.

So, let’s get to know the 10 best Switches.

10. TP-Link TL-SG108E 8-Port Gigabit Easy Smart Network Switch

 

 

This switch provides fundamental network features that will help optimise the performance of business networks. TP-Link Smart Switches are an exceptional value for businesses looking to add intelligence to their network beyond what unmanaged switches can provide.

Features

• Green Ethernet technology saves power up to 80%
• 8 10/100/1000Mbps Auto-Negotiation RJ45 ports supporting Auto-MDI/MDIX
• IEEE 802.3x flow control provides reliable data transfer
• Steel housing, desktop or wall-mounting design
• Support 802.1p/DSCP QoS and IGMP Snooping function
• Fanless design ensures quiet operation
• Simple network set-up on top of plug-and-play connectivity
• Simple configuration by web-based user interface1 and management utility

Buy Switch

9. Netgear GS108LP-100EUS – 8 Port Unmanaged Gigabit Switch With PoE

by Netgear Prosafe

The GS110TPv3 8-Port Gigabit Smart Managed Pro Switches provide great value, with configurable L2 network features like VLANs and PoE operation scheduling, allowing SMB customers to deploy PoE-based VoIP phones and IP surveillance. Advanced features such as Layer 3 static routing, IPv6 management, ACL, DiffServ QoS, LACP link aggregation and Spanning Tree will satisfy even the most advanced small business networks.

Key Features

• 8 Gigabit /10/100/1000 Mbps Ports with 8 ports of PoE+
• Eight (8) PoE+ ports (up to 30W per port)
• PoE power budget of 60W
• The standards-based Gigabit switches sense and adjust for network speed and cabling type automatically
• Easily integrate into your existing Ethernet network – no matter if it is running at 10/100Mbps or Gigabit speed
• Simple set-up with no software or configuration needed
• Front panel LEDs keep you informed of power status, link speed and link activities
• Energy Efficient Ethernet (IEEE 802.3az) standard
• Superior network performance at non-blocking rate delivers true Gigabit speed with no compromise

Buy Switch

8. Zyxel GS1100-10HP 8-Port Unmanaged PoE Switch

8 Port Unmanaged Fast Ethernet PoE Switch

The Zyxel GS1100-10HP 8-port FE Unmanaged Switch with PoE is designed for SMBs to boost business network performance and efficiency. The Series provides not only plug-and-play simplicity for high-bandwidth connectivity but also N-way auto-negotiation to connect network counterparts with the highest possible data speed and to activate duplex mode automatically. The GS1100 Series is ideal for typical noise-sensitive office environments for its superior energy efficiency and Ethernet connectivity.

Features:

• Non-blocking, wire-speed transmission
• Auto MDI/MDI-X support
• IEEE 802.3az compliant
• Fanless design for silent running
• IEEE 802.3x flow control supported
• IEEE 802.1p CoS supported
• IEEE 802.3at PoE Plus standard with 30 W per port
• Jumbo frame supported up to 9K bytes
• 8 ports, 2 SFP Ports desktop design

Buy Switch

7. TRENDnet 8-Port 10/100Mbps PoE Switch (4 PoE, 4 Non-PoE)

A 30W PoE power budget supplies up to four PoE devices. 8 10/100Mbps fast ethernet ports produce a 1.6Gbps switching capacity to support edge network installation. With a compact and lightweight housing design, this switch is well-suited for desktop installations. Its fan-less design is perfect for quiet environments that require a silent operation.

Features:

• 4x 10/100Mbps PoE ports
• 4x 10/100Mbps ports
• 30w PoE power budget
• 1.6Gbps switching capacity
• Sturdy metal switch
• Plug-and-play installation
• Lifetime warranty

Buy Switch

6. Zyxel GS1920-8HPv2 8-Port Gigabit Smart Managed Switch

NebulaFlex Compatible | Controller Free | Perpetual License | Cloud Managed Switches

A new-look smart-managed switch with a refreshed design inside and out. The GS1920v2 series extends the success of the best-selling GS1920 series with a stylish new look and enables cloud manageability with Zyxel NebulaFlex technology. You can easily change between standalone and Zyxel’s license-free Nebula cloud management platform, anytime, with a few simple clicks.

Features: 

• Smart managed standalone or Cloud mode
• Supports NebulaFlexTM Technology to shift between standalone and License Free Nebula Cloud flexibility
• Standalone: Easy management and setup with web-based GUI
• Nebula Cloud: Nebula allows simple deployment with agile network management
• PoE MAX Indicator Display the real-time PoE power usage in both front-panel and web GUI

Buy Switch

5. TP-Link TL-SF1008P 8-Port 10/100Mbps Unmanaged PoE Network Switch

8-Port Fast Ethernet Desktop PoE Switch

The electrical power is transmitted along with data in one single cable allowing you to expand your network where there are no power lines or outlets, where you wish to fix devices such as APs, IP cameras or IP Phones, etc.

Features:

• Supports PoE power up to 15.4W for each PoE port
• Supports PoE power up to 53W for all PoE ports
• Supports PoE IEEE 802.3af compliant PDs
• Supports IEEE 802.3x flow control for Full-Duplex Mode and backpressure for Half-Duplex Mode
• 2k entry MAC address table of the TL-SF1008P with auto-learning and auto-ageing
• LED indicators for monitoring power, link, activity and speed
• External power adapter supply

Buy Switch

4. Netgear GS308EP-100UKS 8-Port PoE+ Gigabit Ethernet Plus Managed Switch

With 8 PoE Ports

 

These switches meet the growing need to provide fundamental network features that will help optimise the performance of the business networks. On top of the plug-n-play Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, these switches also offer essential networking features such as VLAN, QoS, IGMP Snooping, Link Aggregation/Port Trunking on models with 16 ports or more, rate limiting and traffic monitoring. Additionally, furthering NETGEAR’s support of the environment, ProSafe Plus Switches have power-saving Green Ethernet technology.

Features:

• 8 Port Gigabit Switch
• 8 PoE+ ports provide a total of 62W of power.
• Gigabit speed with QoS, VLAN and network monitoring
• Simple network set-up on top of plug-and-play connectivity
• Detects loops and prevents broadcast storm
• NETGEAR green, power-saving features
• VLAN support for traffic separation
• Quality of Service prioritises traffic
• Auto denial-of-service (DoS) prevention
• Network monitoring and bandwidth control
• Troubleshoot connection issues via cable test
• Power up to 4 wireless access points or other PoE-capable devices
• Loop detection

 

Buy Switch

3. Zyxel GS1900-8HP 8-Port GbE Smart Managed PoE Switch

8-Port GbE Smart Managed PoE Switch

This switch brings your business network more flexibility and connectivity. The GS1900-8HP provides power-saving functions, fan-less design and full IPv6 support to ensure your network to be ready for future expansions.

Features:

• 8 10/100/1000BASE-T, PoE, fixed ports
• Easy browser-based switch management, with quick and easy setup wizard
• Advanced network error prevention features (loop protection, dual images, storm control, DoS and SSL)
• Green Ethernet IEEE 802.3az support and intelligent Zyxel green features
• IEEE 802.3at PoE plus support per port
• 16Gbps Switching Capacity
• 70W PoE Budget

Buy Switch

2. Netgear GS110TPv3 8-Port Gigabit PoE+ Smart ProSAFE Switch

by Netgear Prosafe

The GS110TPv3 8-Port Gigabit Smart Managed Pro Switches provide great value, with configurable L2 network features like VLANs and PoE operation scheduling, allowing SMB customers to deploy PoE-based VoIP phones and IP surveillance. Advanced features such as Layer 3 static routing, IPv6 management, ACL, DiffServ QoS, LACP link aggregation and Spanning Tree will satisfy even the most advanced small business networks.

Key Features

• Insight cloud remote monitoring and management
• 8 Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch
• 8 PoE ports supply up to 30W per port with a 55W total PoE budget
• 2 Gigabit SFP Uplinks
• Easy to manage via a web-based interface
• Facilitates easy deployment of wireless, IP telephony & surveillance devices
• 802.1x, ACLs, Rate limiting, DSCP-based prioritisation, IGMP Snooping
• Supports SNMP v1, v2c, v3 Network Management Protocol

Buy Switch

1. Ubiquiti UniFiSwitch 8-Port

150W-8Port Managed PoE+ Gigabit Switch With SFP

Build and expand your network with Ubiquiti Networks UniFi Switch, part of the UniFi line of products. The fan-less UniFi Switch delivers quiet yet powerful performance. Sharing a total of 150W PoE, eight Gigabit Ethernet ports offer 802.3af/at PoE+ or 24V passive PoE and two SFP ports offer optical connectivity.

Features:

• 8x Gigabit RJ45 Ports
• Non-blocking Throughput: 10Gbps
• Switching capacity: 20Gbps
• Forwarding Rate: 14.88Mpps
• Maximum power consumption: 150W
• Supports PoE+ IEEE 802.3at/af and 24V Passive PoE
• Quiet, fan-less operation
• Desktop mountable

Buy Switch

 

To round it up there are a wide variety of switches out there.
It’s important that you find the switch that suits your purpose. And if you’re still unsure then there is no harm in asking someone to make sure.