As our thirst for media-rich content and needing to be connected continues to grow, a gigabit network switch is no longer enough. To meet growing data demands at home or in a small to medium enterprise, manufacturers have been slowly releasing more affordable, higher speed switches. Among them, 10GbE network switches are one of the most popular. However, as they come in a range of interconnects (SFP+, 10GBASE-T, etc…) it’s critical that the correct switch is purchased.
Enter the QNAP QSW-1208-8C Switch, an unmanaged switch which allows you to upgrade your network environment at a budget-friendly price. The QSW-1208-8C supports NBASE-T and 10GBASE-T standards. This is great as we can take advantage of higher network speeds with existing 6a and Cat 5e cables. Likewise, it also supports SFP+ (fiber) interconnects. With low latency, superb functionality, and high performance, the QSW-1208-8C appears to be a good option for upgrading your business or home network to support 10GE connections.
Best Features of QNAP 10GbE Switch: QSW-1208-8C
Key features of the QNAP QSW-1208-8C switch:10G SFP+ (fiber) ports | 4 |
10G SFP+ (fiber) and RJ-45 (copper) ports (combo) | 8 |
Form Factor | Desktop/rackmount |
Switching capacity | 240 Gbps |
MAC address caching capacity | 27K |
Number of priority queues | 8 |
Jumbo frame support | Up to 9K packet size |
Power Supply Unit | 100 - 240 V AC, 50 -60 Hz, max. 2.5 A |
Power Consumption (W) | All ports used, line-rate traffic: 49 W Link-down standby: 21W |
Link-down standby: 21W | |
Fan | 2 low-noise smart fans |
Sound Level | @ 25°C: 18.7 dB(A) |
Electromagnetic compliance | Class A |
LED Indicators | Per switch: Power Per port: Speed, link, activity |
Supported standards | IEEE 802.3 Ethernet IEEE 802.3u 100BASE-TX IEEE 802.3ab 1000BASE-T IEEE 802.3x Full-Duplex Flow Control IEEE 802.1p Class of Service IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) IEEE 802.3an 10GBASE-T IEEE 802.3bz 5Gbps and 2.5Gbps Ethernet Over Copper Twisted Pair Cable IEEE 802.3ae 10-Gigabit Ethernet Over Fiber IEEE 802.3aq 10-Gigabit over Fiber (10GBASE-LRM) IEEE 802.3z Gigabit Ethernet 1000BASE-SX/LX |
Dimensions (H x W x D) | 43 x 285 x 233 mm |
Weight | 2.15 kg |
In addition to being budget-friendly, let’s take a quick look at some of the other neat features of this switch.
Faster Speed with QSW-1208-8C
The QSW-1208-8C is compatible with NBASE-T and 10GBASE-T to provide superior transmission speeds with its existing cables. Depending on your cable length and type, different speed can achieve for more efficient and faster data transfers. The QSW-1208-8C is also compatible with other devices to provide faster connectivity.
Flexible Deployment
With its eight combo ports, the QSW-1208-8C network switch offers the ability to connect different interfaces to the same switch. When it comes to the switching capacity of this item, the QSW-1208-8C is capable of reaching 240 Gbps and guarantees full potential of each port.
Near-silent and Energy Saving
With the QSW-1208-8C network switch cooling system, it works quietly and ensures a high-speed network performance without creating a distracting noise. The EEE support also makes it possible for a reduction in the power consumption without sacrificing the functionality and high performance.
Sleek Performance and Versatile Installation
The QSW-1208-8C also features a modern design which is ideal for offices and digital homes. For homes with a server or communications cabinets, the pack also includes rack mounts which are handy.
Final Thoughts
With so many brands and network switches available in the market, it is not an easy task to find the “right” one. So, it would be better to trust a reputable manufacturer. QNAP is a well-known manufacturer of networking storage items so one would expect that they have some idea of what’s needed to move mass amounts of data around.
The QSW-1208-8C performed as expected at this price point deserves to be your top choice when buying a new unmanaged network switch. It’s hard to beat considering many of the alternatives do not support both of the popular interconnects at this price point.
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