! have a great new pfsense machine running flawlessly at this time and just want to update my network since I use rather old stuff.
What I need
1 16 to 24 port switch and 1 8 port switch.
Now I would like them to be relatively small so all those 43x43 1U models can be disregarded as we speak.
as for options
IGMP, SNMP, LAG, VLAN, port mirroring and per port disabling to save power. preferably if leds can be disabled too (I know HP can do that) as one get under my desk and it's a pain too see al that stuff blinking when I'm watching a movie not that duck tape can't fix it but hey software should be able to do anything we want right.
what I do not need are PoE, DHCP and other router stuff. If it's on there fine but I won't use it.
secondly it shouldn't be expensive :)
So Far I basically got the HP 1810 v2's and Zyxel GS1900 in my mind but I have no idea from things like Netgear, D-Link or TP-Link. I know HP is just good but come with the + in costs due to being HP.
I have a couple of TP-link jetstream switches which I'm pretty happy with. They do pretty much all of the things you want, not sure about the power saving stuff and I don't think the LEDs can be disabled.
I've also used an older HP procurve switch but replaced it with the TP-Link as it lacked a lot of features and it would only allow one port mirror. I've used a more modern HP switch though and that had a lot more and better features, but I still prefer the TP-Link.
http://www.elara.ie/productdetail.aspx?productcode=ECE2900866 (Link has all the details about it also you can grab a rough price if you use euros).
Yes its Rack mountable but its not monster for space Like the 48 port cisco or quanta.
Also for the 8 port If your not doing Vlans and other configs a dumb switch will go fine and not break the bank on the electricity bill so powering down ports wouldn't be necessary.
I ultimately went with Zyxel and so far I can recommend it. sets up easy the only downside is that they do not give a manual with the switch itself but you need to get it as a pdf from the interwebs. The quick start barely mentions the ip and login info.
My school uses ProCurve and Adtran switches, they seen reliable enough. I've got an older procurve 24 port switch at home, but I'm too broke to play with any of the new ones :P Even the old one is still powerful though, despite the fact that the web interface is running an older Java and so it throws like 17 warnings
That was the case with the 8 port Linksys one I got too, as well as an 8 port fully managed ProCurve that I helped my schools IT department with. I guess that's becoming a standard thing although I must say it is a tad inconvenient
I have a Zyxel GS-1900-16 and it has been a total pleasure to use and admin for my small business and I even have one for my home so I can do VLANs, etc.
Yup I like them as well. most of all the good interface. It's not that you really need the manual but makes it just that bit easier. Cheap and good heck I like the interface more than that of HP.