Adding more devices to a wired network has never been easier than with the TP-Link 8-port 10/100Mbps desktop switch. With its 8 ports, up to 7 additional devices can be linked.
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Introduction to the TP-Link 8-port 10/100Mbps desktop switch
A network switch (also called a network hub or network splitter) is a network device that links additional devices to a LAN using network cables. It is usually connected to one of the router ports.
The TP-Link 8-port 10/100Mbps desktop switch (model TL-SF1008D) is plug-and-play and easy to set up with no configuration or software needed. After one of the RJ-45 ports is used to connect to the network router, there are 7 slots available to connect additional devices.
Devices such as printers, laptops, other desktops, game consoles, Network-Attached Storage (NAS) devices, Raspberry Pis and smart TVs can easily be added to a LAN with its plug-and-play configuration.
A bigger brother of the TP-Link 8-port 10/100Mbps desktop switch is the TP-Link TL-SG108 Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch with network speeds up to 1000Mbps.
- Get the TP-Link TL-SF1008D Fast Ethernet Network Switch from Amazon.com
- Get the TP-Link TL-SG108 Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch from Amazon.com
- Get the TP-Link TL-WN725N USB Wi-Fi Adapter from Amazon.com
- Get the TP-Link Nano AC600 USB Wi-Fi Adapter from Amazon.com
TP-Link 8-port 10/100Mbps desktop switch specifications
Ethernet
The TP-Link 8-port desktop switch supports IEEE 802.3i, 802.3u and 802.3x protocols. The 8x RJ-45 Ethernet ports are able to negotiate automatically and have auto MDI/MDIX. IEEE 802.3x flow control provides reliable data transfer and auto MDI/MDIX eliminates the need for a crossover cable.
It features half and full-duplex, MAC address learning and up to 1.6Gbps switching capacity (200Mbps per port).
Design
The TP-Link 8-port desktop switch is small and quiet. With its sleek, fanless design and measurements of 134.5 x 79 x 22.5mm, it is perfect to use on a desk, mounted vertically, or hidden away.
Power consumption
Another nice feature of the TP-Link 8-port desktop switch is its low power consumption. Boasting with “Green technology” it requires 5V and 600mA to operate. In addition to this, the switch will automatically adjust its power consumption according to the link status and cable length — giving you up to a 60% reduction in power use.
Why use the TP-Link 8-port 10/100Mbps desktop switch
There are many reasons to use the TP-Link 8-port 10/100Mbps desktop switch. They include plug-and-play functionality, slick, small, clean, quiet design, low power consumption, and price. It also has plenty of Ethernet ports to extend the smaller LANs.
Why not use the TP-Link 8-port 10/100Mbps desktop switch
Unfortunately, there are also many reasons to look for another network switch. The TP-Link 8-port 10/100Mbps desktop switch lacks any form of mounting options and only has Fast Ethernet (100Mbps).
There are faster switches available (e.g. the TP-Link TL-SG108 Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch) with more or less the same specifications, but they come at a slightly higher price tag.
Conclusion
The TP-Link 8-port 10/100Mbps desktop switch is great to extend home or small business networks. It is compact, pretty to look at, relatively cheap and needs little power to operate. Although this is true, one might go for a faster network switch with more ports that has mounting options.