[Asterisk-Users] Re: Netgear powered switch

Jay Hennigan
Thu, 18 Nov 2004 15:21:18 -0000

"Kevin P. Fleming" <kpfleming@starnetworks.us> wrote:

> I have yet to come across a small business office that could not be well
> served with one or two reliable 16-port switches, of the sub-$100
> variety. If they have more than 32 nodes, then they will likely have
> some on-site staff, and then a managed platform might make sense. In my
> opinion, the "managed switch" is providing no additional value at
all if
> no one ever uses the management interface. It certainly isn't going to
> forward packets any differently, unless it implements QoS and there is a
> demonstrated need for it on that LAN.

The attractive feature for me on the Netgear switch is the PoE.  Dot1q
trunking is nice if they want to have their phones on a different VLAN
than their PCs and have one drop to the desk, as well.

Sure, a couple of sub-$100 16-port switches will do the job, but where
can I buy sub-$100 16-port PoE switches?  The alternative is power cubes,
wall-warts, and more wire clutter.  Those power cubes aren't free.
Backing up a single PoE switch with a UPS is also a lot easier than
installing UPSes under every desk where there is a phone.  If you want
your phones to work when the lights go out, the cost is going to be a
wash when you factor in power cubes and separate UPSes.  Or you'll need
a lot of extension cords.

It's the PoE that makes this switch look good to me, not the management.
That's just icing on the cake for most small office deployments.

--
Jay Hennigan - CCIE #7880 - Network Administration - jay@west.net
WestNet:  Connecting you to the planet.  805 884-6323      WB6RDV
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