Computer network switch advice - new switch or new power supply?

elsmandino

Hello,

I bought this particular switch in 2011:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-SG1008D-Unmanaged-Gigabit-Desktop/dp/B000N9B688/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1489486382&sr=8-2&keywords=tp-link+switch+8+port

and the 9v 850mA power supply has just died.

I rang TP-link and they have offered to send me out a replacement for £12.00.

The power supply is one of those cheap ones that has very thin wires, so not of the best quality.

You will notice, from the Amazon link above, that the particular switch has been superseded by an updated version which looks like it is more power efficient (you can buy it in PC world for £17.00 at the moment).

What should I do?

1. Try and buy a decent quality replacement PSU on Amazon (should be able to get one for about £10.00).

2. Accept that my switch is technologically old, anyway, and get a new switch?

bengalknights

I would buy new and take the warranty it comes with then try and save the old one

psychic_teabag

stupid question : do you still need an 8-port gigabit switch for your network ? Eg have more of your devices moved over to wifi since 2011 ? I just have a standard (well, 10/100) ethernet hub, but since much of the traffic moves through slower segments (wifi, powerline adapters, or broadband) it's still by far the fastest link in the chain, and therefore perfectly adequate. I got this one off freecycle.

On the amazon listing, the old product consumes 4.65W but the new one is listed as 5W. Which is interesting...

elsmandino

Not a stupid question at all, old chap - however, I do indeed still need an 8 port switch (partly due to a number of RPis dotted around my home).

It does seem that a new switch is going the only sensible choice here.

Well spotted about the actual increase in wattage in the newer version of the TP-Link.

I had a look on Amazon and this looks like a perfect replacement:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NETGEAR-GS208-100UKS-Gigabit-Ethernet-Desktop/dp/B00AFVB41S/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

1. 3.64 watts
2. very solid reviews
3. less than three squids more than buying a replacement PSU for the old switch.

What do you think?

fenlander_uk

I was about to recommend exactly that model. I've never had a Netgear product that's given trouble, never had a TP-Link that hasn't.

elsmandino

fenlander_uk wrote: »

I was about to recommend exactly that model. I've never had a Netgear product that's given trouble, never had a TP-Link that hasn't.

Good enough for me - thanks very much indeed for the help. Going to order one now.

EdwardB

Just to muddy the water, if you have not ordered yet.

Have you considered an AC router that has 1GB ports?

I hear that you need 8 ports but do they all need 1gb Lan, are they all capable of using it?

Obviously AC Router costs more but you get a very fast wireless and even laptops can be updated to AC for a reasonable sum.

System

elsmandino wrote: »

The power supply is one of those cheap ones that has very thin wires, so not of the best quality.

It only has to carry 850mA at 9V which is 7.65 watts. You don't need anything other than thin wire to carry that safely. Its nothing to do with quality and everything to do with pointlessly wasting money on cable diameter you don't need and also just because the outside looks thick it doesn't mean the actual bit carrying the current is. Its a common trick to use thin core wire with thick insulation to keep people like yourself happy. Cut open the wires on any set of earbuds or headphones and you'll find its a few strands of copper.

kwikbreaks

I was a little surprised to find anybody needed to buy a PSU. I started out with just a couple left over from routers and some low volt Xmas light ones I'd replaced but last time I checked my PSU box the little blighters had been breeding. Quite a few grown up 12v ones and countless little 5v babies that would be handy for phones and tablets if they didn't all come with yet another one. Perhaps putting them in individual plastic bags may put a stop to this.