NETGEAR 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Smart Switch (GS108T) - Managed, with 1 x PD Port, Optional Insight Cloud Management, Desktop or Wall Mount, Silent Operation, and Limited Lifetime Protection

I been using Netgear for switches and NAS for many years and never let me down. The GUI is a bit complicated and outdated compared to other brand (more industrial style). The most important is that it need to work and once you figure out to set the parameters you don't have to change anything much often in the settings after unless you change a few thing in your home network. I din't use their Netgear Insight and bypass this process.

The reason for a lot of one star reviews is that when you first log onto this switch it asks your for a registration code or you can only access "limited features". As per another reviewer's guide, I suggest updating the firmware before proceeding. If you wish, you can then register at their website and get a short character code to unlock the device This is really a sad "feature" that Netgear has created. Customers who buy this "smart managed" switch are probably going to be familiar with other switches which don't have such a registration requirement. They may also experience some level of misrepresentation on the part of the manufacturer from the "register or we'll only let you have a subset of what we said you were buying" ultimatum when you first log onto the switch. For myself, I just needed a 8 port switch that was powered by POE, so this was not an issue for me. As I was curious, I went through the registration process and it was not too difficult. Got the code and keyed it in and it all the "features" seem to be available FWIW. They try to sell you their "Insight" subscription mumbo jumbo, but I'm not sure who needs it for this sort of switch. Also note that this switch takes a bit of time to become ready from the application of power as compared to a unmanaged switch. Another point to note for non-US customers, the wall power supply is fitted with two flat pins (US/NEMA) and has the following ratings: Input: 100-120V 0.35A Output:12V 1A Connector is a barrel plug with a positive centre. Note that the centre pin is a bit smaller than usual. If you power the switch via the POE port 1, then this is not applicable. In summary, this device appears to be able to operate as a "smart managed switch" but the need to register the switch and attempts to try to get customer on a subscription software is odious. If this registration requirement is unpalatable and/or the POE powering is not useful, you should give this a miss.

The new interface is much improved

Great little smart switch at a good price! My only complaint is with the latent 'phone-home' characteristics that manufacturers all seem to want to build into their net-aware devices these days, but that's easily circumvented by either leaving the management interface solely with an IPv6 address (assuming that your network is IPv4-only) or by implementing appropriate firewall rules upstream. Otherwise, I'm super happy with this rugged little workhorse!

Just what I needed , really good build and great value