Do I really need a 'Gigabit' network switch for everyday use?

ferry

Hi, I need some advice, I need more ethernet ports and note that a network swich will sole this for me. I have seen a 2nd hand 24 port one that supports 10/100 but no mention of 'gigabit' capability. 
Do I really need this if I only running a router, CCTV dvr and Playstations and maybe a couple Sky Q boxes from it, will I see any benefit for a 'gigbit' spec switch?

Thank you

ann_droid

Hi
Dunno.
If it is a longer term investment I would also consider Power over Ethernet for Remote/Extra cameras.
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing-accessories/networking/network-routers-and-switches/network-switches/tp-link-tl-sf1008p-network-switch-8-port-10024572-pdt.html
https://www.amazon.co.uk/NETGEAR-GS116UK-16-Port-Gigabit-Unmanaged/dp/B0007SQEPK

You could start with an 8 / 16 port and add another if wanted. 

m-holland

ferry said:

only running a router, CCTV dvr and Playstations and maybe a couple Sky Q

If thats all your running you dont need a 24 port switch, and 8 port switch would do.
As for gigabit capability, I would recommend it, the price difference would be negligible

PRAISETHESUN

My understanding is that if your network switch has a slower speed rating than your internet speed, it will the switch will throttle anything going through it higher than it's rating. If your switch has a higher capacity than your network speed you'll see no difference. A 10/100 switch will be fine as long as you don't need speeds higher than 100 Mbs (which is fine for most things unless you have multiple simultaneous heavy users), although depending on the price difference you might as well consider future-proofing your setup.

JJ_Egan

Gigabit was about £3 dearer last time i bought a switch .

ferry

Thanks guys for the help. Also are you able to 'piggy back' 2 x network switces from one router?

GunJack

ferry said:

Thanks guys for the help. Also are you able to 'piggy back' 2 x network switces from one router?

yes, each will take up 1x ethernet port on your router, most routers have 4 ports (don't try and daisy-chain one switch off the other)

Jenni_D

PRAISETHESUN said:

My understanding is that if your network switch has a slower speed rating than your internet speed, it will the switch will throttle anything going through it higher than it's rating. If your switch has a higher capacity than your network speed you'll see no difference. A 10/100 switch will be fine as long as you don't need speeds higher than 100 Mbs (which is fine for most things unless you have multiple simultaneous heavy users), although depending on the price difference you might as well consider future-proofing your setup.

If you have devices that share data between them on the local network then faster ports will enable faster communications, so I'd agree that gb port switches should be the preference if the cost addition isn't an issue.  

arciere

It's highly likely that you won't see a difference between a Gigabit and a Fast Ethernet switch. Having said that, this is not something you buy on a daily basis, and it will stay with you even if you decide to change internet provider or change home. The price difference isn't massive, I would definitely go for a Gigabit one.
In terms of internet connection, if you haven't got full fibre, 100 Mbps is more than enough, but then again if fibre comes to your property and you decide to switch, you'd be already covered.
P.S. If you don't have enough ports on the router, you can always daisy-chain two switches, if a 8-port one is not enough.

onomatopoeia99

GunJack said:

ferry said:

Thanks guys for the help. Also are you able to 'piggy back' 2 x network switces from one router?

yes, each will take up 1x ethernet port on your router, most routers have 4 ports (don't try and daisy-chain one switch off the other)

Switches can be daisy chained, the spanning tree protocol is designed for it.  It's hubs that create problems with daisy chaining, but it must be at least 15 years since you could by those new.

arciere

onomatopoeia99 said:

GunJack said:

ferry said:

Thanks guys for the help. Also are you able to 'piggy back' 2 x network switces from one router?

yes, each will take up 1x ethernet port on your router, most routers have 4 ports (don't try and daisy-chain one switch off the other)

Switches can be daisy chained, the spanning tree protocol is designed for it.  It's hubs that create problems with daisy chaining, but it must be at least 15 years since you could by those new.

The Spanning Tree Protocol actually works to avoid having loops in a network, but at the same time allowing some kind of redundancy. Switches will need to support it.

If you daisy-chain two switches with one single cable, there's no need for STP.