The Netgear FS608 is a powerful plug-and-play switch that connects at 10 or 100 Mbps and makes it easy to link as many as eight computers or peripherals to your Ethernet network. You'll experience maximum performance for 10/100 Mbps devices with eight ports that automatically sense the correct speed, while Netgear's Auto Uplink adjusts for different types of Ethernet cables. The FS608's sleek case has lights on the front for easy monitoring. Installation into your home network couldn't be simpler and, once connected and turned on, it begins cool and silent operation--without an internal fan.
FS608 8-Port 10/100 Switch
1 Easy to use and fast
This is very easy to use and needs no configuration. Just plug it in, attach your cables, and off you go. It's compact and fast as well. I have used it for seven months without trouble. I highly recommend it.
2 Don't use it in your basement
This thing worked fine for about nine months and then died. It doesn't like humidity. I keep my switch and router in my basement. Like many basements, it's a bit damp, though I have a dehumidifier running all the time. It's not that damp in there, but the switch just died on me.
I'd question the power supply or some other factor but my router and DSL modem have never had any problems at all and this is the second Netgear switch I've owned that has gone kaput; my best guess is dampness.
3 Sleek, but problems in a busy environment
As others say, the device is small and easy on the eyes. I express caution with regard to critical purposes such as servers and IP telephony; we have experienced some weird problems with this. We have three (Netgear FS608 v2) in two locations; two connected to a 24 port Dell switch and the third I think connects to a Cisco 3524. They may intermittently refuse to forward frames from just one source to just one destination while allowing frames from that same source to other destination, weird stuff like that. Reset takes a power cycle OR just unplug the uplink cable and reconnect. It's a real nuisance if it means you have to drive to work on a weekend or an IP telephone call goes "blip" into la-la land. I'm sure they have a limitation on the size of the MAC address cache but I have not so far researched it.
Beware using little switches on big networks! (That sounds like a grade b movie title!)
4 Great
This replaced my 4-port Netgear Hub. Fast, great looking; it now matches my silver computer. My only problem is that now the cables are in the back, and the weight of them tends to pull the switch backwards and nearly off the desk. No big deal though.
5 Works flawlessy
I've had it for a month. It does what it should. No problems easy to set up. What I like is the tiny size compare to the previous generation of switches.
6 Stylish AND Easy to Use
What can I say, this is one stylish switch! Looks sweet. I purchased it for LAN parties at my house and I have to say that I am not the least bit disappointed. The unit itself is very handsome and very well built. Truly plug and play with newer OS's like Windows 2000 and Windows XP...no software setup required whatsoever. When I use it, I usually have 4 computers hooked up to it (there are a total of 8 ports, so 8 computers for LAN only, 7 for LAN + Net) and then one of the ports acts as the uplink/downlink to my SMC Barricade via a 100 ft. CAT 5e cable and then the SMC Barricade connects to my RCA Cable modem. Again, nothing to set at all! Very easy to use. No problems when gaming for hours on end :) The box also includes a VERY nice standing bracket which actually works! Wow, first time I've gotten a standing bracket that actually HOLDS the hardware in a vertical position stably. This switch is highly recommended for those of you who want a stylish, easy to use, well built, well designed, and truly plug and play switch.
