Belkin 5-Port Gigabit Switch F5D5141-5 - Conclusion
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Based on the performance comparisons you might think I would be disappointed with the Belkin 5-Port Gigabit Switch. I am not. I don't believe the switch is to blame for any of the performance numbers listed previously. As I mentioned in the performance section I believe the shortcoming has to do with each system's underlying hardware. Additionally, I am very happy with the performance with small file transfers. Streaming video or music works well between the machines.
The important question here is, is this switch right for you? It depends. You will not get gigabit speed for your network, but you will get increased performance over a standard 10/100 switch. With the slight price difference between a gigabit switch and a 10/100 switch, it is definitely recommended to get the gigabit version. It maintains all the functionality of the 10/100 switch, but with the future-proof gigabit technology as well.
Whether a switch is needed or not depends on the network that is going to utilize it. For most home users it is just an extra layer, another thing to buy. I don't understand why the companies offering these stand alone switches have not incorporated a gigabit switch into their broadband routers. A router with an integrated gigabit switch would be ideal, but instead most routers have a built-in 10/100 switch.
How does this gigabit switch from Belkin compare to its competitors? I only have slight reservations about it, listed in the Highs/Lows below.
Highs
- Gigabit technology
- Price Competitive
- Very easy to use
Lows
- Front RJ-45 ports
- Uses a wall wart (external power supply)
Contrary to the some of the negatives pointed out, the Belkin 5-Port Gigabit Switch is a welcome addition to my home network. Anything that offers the potential to speed up network connections between the machines is appreciated. Only some of the aesthetics of the switch prevent me from giving it the DevHardware Editor's Choice Award.
Thanks for stopping by and checking out this review. If you have any questions email me at Memphist0@devhardware.com or stop into our forums. And thanks to Belkin for providing this switch.
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