Netgear gs108(features, setup, performance, specifications)

The Netgear GS108 8-port Gigabit Ethernet smart switch is a smart and cost-effective way of implementing the wired connections at homes or small businesses. In this article, we will discuss features and the specifications of this switch with the purpose of helping you learn what is in store for you.

Introduction

The number of connected devices in home and office is growing and that demands proper organization of wired connections where network switches come in handy again. The primary target of the Netgear GS108 smart switch is small home or office networks that require high-speed connectivity for not more than 8 Ethernet devices within the same network.

 The GS108 comes with a plug and play design and through this you can connect the wired devices such as the desk top computers, network storages, streaming devices among others.Its smart features also provide basic network administration capabilities without the need for specialist technical knowledge.

Performance

The Netgear GS108 delivers strong performance for its class:

• Forwarding Rate: 14.88Mpps for 64-byte packets.
• Forwarding Rate: 13.54Mpps for 1518-byte packets (buffer: 4.1MB).
• A high-performance custom ASIC performs Ethernet frame forwarding at full line-rate on all ports simultaneously to keep your network running smoothly.
• Energy efficient design means it operates on just 6.5 watts on average for low power consumption under light/typical usage scenarios.

With its Gigabit connectivity and non-blocking switching fabric, the GS108 can meet the demands of small office networks with 5-10 concurrent users and device saturation well below full capacity.

Key Features

8 Gigabit Ethernet Ports

The GS108 has 8 RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet ports that support connecting devices like computers, printers, streaming devices, surveillance cameras and more through standard Ethernet cables. This allows for wired transfer speeds of up to 1Gbps, much faster than WiFi.

Automatic Port Speed and Duplex Configuration

The switch automatically configures the speed and duplex setting for each port based on the connected device. This optimized the connectivity without any manual configuration required from the user.

Store-and-Forward Switching Architecture

The switching architecture of the GS108 forwards traffic at line rate for optimal performance. It inspects the packet before forwarding to prevent corruption and dropped packets.

Fanless Design

Being a fanless switch means it operates silently without any noise from cooling fans. This makes it suitable for home and office environments.

Plug-and-Play Setup

No configuration is required to get started – just plug it in and connect devices via Ethernet. It’s easy for non-technical users to set up and expand their network.

Web UI for Basic Management

You can manage the switch through a browser-based interface for basic settings like port status, network statistics and firmware updates without additional software.

LED Indicators for Easy Troubleshooting

Individual LEDs on each port clearly show connection status, activity, speed and errors to help locate network issues at a glance.

Sturdy Metal Housing

The housing is made of durable metal construction for reliability and to withstand the rigors of daily use in an office or home.

2-Year Warranty

Netgear backs the GS108 with a 2-year limited hardware warranty should any manufacturing defects arise.

Detailed Specifications

Ports: 8 x 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 ports

Switching Capacity: 16 Gbps

Forwarding Rate: 14,880 pps

Packet Buffer Memory: 256KB

MAC Address Table Size: 4K entries

Supply: External power adapter (included)

Power Input: 100-240V, 50/60Hz

Power Consumption: 5 Watts (maximum)

Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.3 x 1.3 inches (191 x 134 x 33 mm)

Operating Temperature: 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)

Certifications: FCC, CE

Management: Web browser-based interface

Setting Up the Netgear GS108

Setting up the GS108 switch is very straightforward:

1. Connect one of the 8 ports to your existing broadband modem/router using an Ethernet cable. This will provide the switch’s management interface.
2. Plug the power adapter into the switch and connect it to a wall outlet. The power LED will turn on.
3. Connect devices like desktops, laptops, servers etc to the remaining 7 ports on the switch using Ethernet cables.
4. The ports can be used right away since the GS108 supports auto-detection and auto-negotiation for speeds and duplex setting.
5. Advanced settings like port configuration, firmware upgrade etc can be managed through the web utility, accessed by default at 192.168.0.239.

So in just a few minutes, you have an instant high-speed network to share files, stream media and more between multiple devices. No software or technical skills are needed.

Port Features

The Netgear GS108 provides:

• 8 x 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 ports with auto MDI/MDIX for connecting to devices.
• Auto sensing of network speed and duplex mode (10/100/1000 Mbps; full/half duplex) on each port.
• Auto negotiation capability on each port allows them to independently configurations speed/duplex based on your network devices.
• Integrated Auto Surge Protection with transient voltage suppression on all ports for safety.
• Auto cross/straight-through cable correction (Auto MDI/MDIX) eliminates the need for crossover cables.
• Flow control for full duplex mode coalesces broadcast and multi-cast frames.

The robust self-learning MAC (media access control) address table of up to 8K entry helps find addresses of connected devices and forward packets efficiently at wire-speed.

Management Options

The GS108 offers the following management options:

Web Interface (GUI)

• Easily managed via browser-based interface using IP address 192.168.0.239 by default.
• Configure options like port status, DHCP helper, firmware upgrade, password settings etc.
• View system info, port statistics and feature support information.

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)

• Supports standard SNMP Version 1 and 2c to integrate with SNMP-based network management and monitoring applications.
• MIB-II management information base is supported for monitoring network health and statistics.

Reset Button

• Default the switch settings to factory state without changing networking IP address if needed.
• Press and hold for 5 seconds until reset LED blinks to undo configuration changes.

So network admins get flexibility through SNMP and web GUI, while home/SOHO users can easily plug and play without configuration hassles.

Typical Usage Scenarios

Some common scenarios where the Netgear GS108 can be used effectively include:

• Home networking – Connect computers, smart TVs, consoles, printers and NAS drives for media streaming, gaming and file sharing.
• Small office – Connect employee desktops and laptops, servers, IP phones, CCTV cameras and networked printers.
• Remote workstation – Expand connectivity at co-working spaces or for telecommuters with multiple devices.
• Rooms extension – Add ports for Ethernet-enabled devices in home theater, gaming area, garage workshop etc.
• Network storage – Dedicate ports for direct connecting NAS drives, RAID arrays or surveillance systems.
• College dorm – Share high-speed Internet between gaming console, smart devices and roommates’ computers.

So in summary, it acts as an ideal sharing hub for broadband to multiple Ethernet wired devices in any small network environment.

Easy Plug-and-Play Setup

Setting up the GS108 is straightforward:

1. Connect the included power adapter to the switch and plug it into a power outlet.
2. Use Ethernet cables (not included) to connect devices like computers, printers, security cameras etc. to the Ethernet ports on the switch.
3. The switch is now ready to use. Devices are automatically detected and can communicate on the network at speeds up to 1Gbps.

No IP configuration or additional software installation is required on the user’s end. Everything is pre-configured at the factory.

Basic Features via Web Interface

While plug-and-play setup makes the GS108 easy for anyone to use, there is also a browser-based interface for basic management functions:

1. Connect any PC to one of the switch’s LAN ports using Ethernet.
2. In a web browser, enter the switch’s default IP address – 192.168.0.239.
3. Log in with the default username “admin” and password “password”.

Via the web UI, you can view port status and activity, network statistics, perform firmware upgrades, reset the switch to factory defaults and more basic management tasks. No advanced configuration options are available.

FAQs about Netgear GS108 Switch

Q. Can I mix port speeds on the switch (e.g. 1GbE and 100Mbps)?

A. No, all ports on the GS108 are Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbps). The switch automatically senses the speed of each connected device and negotiates the optimal speed up to 1Gbps.

Q. Is it possible to configure VLANs on the GS108?

A. No, this switch only provides basic plug-and-play networking functions. Advanced features like VLAN configuration are not supported.

Q. What is the maximum length of an Ethernet cable for this switch?

A. The recommended maximum cable length between the switch and a connected device is 100 meters (328 feet) for Gigabit connections using Cat5e/Cat6 cable. Shorter cables are preferable to avoid degradation in signal quality and speed.

Q. Can I stack multiple GS108 switches together?

A. No, the GS108 can only function as an individual switch. It does not support stacking or clustering multiple units to increase port counts.

Conclusion

In Conclusion, the Netgear GS108 8-port Gigabit Ethernet smart switch is an ideal device for the home or office, where it might be needed to extend the number of wired connections. It can be utilized just after unpacking it, you don’t require to set it up and it is made of metal for its stability.The web interface allows basic activity monitoring and troubleshooting as your network grows. For networks with up to 8 devices needing Gigabit speeds over Ethernet, the GS108 delivers great value.