D-Link Ethernet Switch, 8-Port Gigabit Plug n Play Compact Design Fanless Desktop (DGS-1008G), Black

I've been using D-link since my first 5 port gigabit ethernet switch I purchased for high speed internet sharing back in 1997. 3com was the big boy back then, but a gigabit switch was so expensive. D-link was affordable and hence my relationship with them began. The first switch I bought from them, had a fan, and the fan went bad after a couple of years which was painful, but I lived with it, until it died. I never replaced the fan, but never had issues when the fan stopped working, so guess I was good and the fan was extra caution.My eventual replacement, an 8 port gigabit switch was the same model, revised with no fan. I still have that one today and use it for small LAN parties and such and still works great.Purchased a 24 port for use in a SOHO, hated the fan noise (was meant for a server rack, so I ditched it. Couple of years later, purchased another 24 port (fanless) and still using that one today, no issues. Purchased a 16 port fanless for my wiring closet - been using that since 2003, no issues.So naturally, with all the good luck with D-link, I would keep going with them. I needed a switch for a garage work area and purchased this. It was moutable, so I could keep it out of the way. It's small, quiet (fanless) and looks sleek, though I would have preferred the old rectangular box look (not marking off for that). The problem with the sleep look is that you can't put stuff on it - it slides right off, but after all, this is a desktop switch, 5 port, so maybe that's the point. The shell is plastic, but feels pretty sturdy. It comes with the unit and a power adapter that used the same voltage/amps as one of my cell phone chargers.Speed is good through it on my wired network - very happy, and would purchase it again.

Internet is integrated into my house and lifestyle, so naturally when I game I don't want to lose cause of a simple error which is; lag or rather known as "latency". While I know I can't completely cut "Mr.Lag" out of the picture myself, I know If I cut down the issues at home, that I can reduce lag/latency issues and improve experiences at home. Same can be improved for you even if its by a small 1.6 second difference. I cut mine by a whole 6.5 seconds, by upgrading my network to an all Wire cat-7e Snag-less w/shielding cable, uped my TV to a 27" LED ASUS monitor. I also suggest to find a separate home theater solution for 5.1 or 5.1/7.1 surround sound too. Yes, also for the net-heads and gamers like myself this can be a good if not a very great affordable solution.Since, I planned on upgrading my network before all this, the ISP was first, had to get something like Verizon's FiOS- an non throttle constant; full fiber-optic service. Since Verizon FiOS isn't yet available in Michigan, I hooked up with AT&T's U-verse Service with a Down of 24MBPS down and around 18MBPS UP (Its the best they have). It was simple enough, had the ATT Tech come out and run a new Data line to the "Sever" room- and yeah I got a room just for the Home network too. For most its the Basement, Living room, or Home Office option. Of course, not me so go figure cause I'm a hardcore geek.After that just bought this beauti' which will be replacing every local "hub"/switch in each networked room (4 rooms total), all hooked to the ATT U-verse "Gateway" (which is a Modem and Router yes its an encrypted 2 in 1 device) and the Servers/vice-versa. Now I said to myself "Hello FAST, Goodbye SLOW! With this all new, D-LINK 8-port GYGA-BYTE SWITCH..." It does everything I needed, couldn't ask for more at the current moment. When the order D-LINK switches (x4) get here I'll give an ownership review and pros/cons rating. Of course if this option fails, there is another brand and switch type I can use, meant for heavy duty use with local area severs in corporations. D-Link, don't fail me now. Hope this advice helps you abit, during your overhaul."thanks amazon!";-K. Travel

Nice features for a reasonable price. Simple plug & play, nothing needs to be set, perfect "unmanaged" type switch for home networks. Seems to work quite well, displays different color lights when they sense my gigabit devices (all run at full speed with this switch), backward compatability to lower LAN speeds so also works just fine with my slower devices. Low energy consumption, handy keyhole slots for wall mount.8 ports seems to be the right number for home setups. Not many people would ever need more than eight in the same area... four port setups will likely leave you wishing for more in the not-so-near future, the price difference is minimal. BUT... if all you need it for is to add a couple ports in the same area as your existing 4 port router, then the 4 port model would make more sense for you.I'm using this as a distribution point for my various downstairs home theater devices + a laptop in the same area. Router/office is upstairs on the other side of the house. Previously depended on wireless connections downstairs, but even with a good dual band AC wireless router things sometimes dropped connections or ran slow, now with a hard wired LAN connection via this switch those problems have been resolved. And now there's more wireless bandwith left for things like Amazon Echo's/Dot's and home automation devices. If your device can operate via both wireless and LAN, you will almost always get faster and more reliable performance using the wired LAN connection..First one sent to me was obviously someone else's return (grrrr), some of the factory packaging was absent, so the switch and power supply went through the mail slamming against each other. Returned for replacement without ever using it, the replacement arrived quickly, was correct with shrink wrap on the outside and the rest was in place inside as it should be to prevent shipping damage.