This switch does exactly what it's designed for, sharing an Ethernet connnection. Don't expect to be able to configure VLANs, multilayer switching, VLAN trunks, load balancing, etc. This does not have any routing, NAT, or firewall capabilities. You would use this switch when you already have a router between your internal network and the Internet, and you need additional Ethernet ports. This gives you a full duplex Ethernet connection at wired speed, and it delivers! Perfect for the home office/LAN or for technicians needing extra Etherenet ports for their workbench, as this is what I use mine for. Thanks for reading! Hope this helps! Cisco-Linksys EZXS55W EtherFast 10/100 5-Port Workgroup Switch
Thinking of setting up a network? Wish yours would run faster? If so, this is the product for you. Installation is simple. If you can plug a network card into your pci slot you can have your network up and running in minutes. (If you dont know how to plug in a network card, it will take about 5 extra minutes) Anyway, Don't buy a hub. A switch is full duplex meaning it can send and recieve data at the same time. Also with a hub, all ports share the bandwith. ie a 5 port 100m hub w/ all five ports being used = 20m per port. while a switch runs 100m per port, reguardless of how many ports are being used.. And in full duplex mode 200m per port. Also if your looking for computer y on a hub, it must check each port until computer y is found. This switch will know that computer y is on port 4, so you will go right to it, and save time. all n all a great product, as are all linksys products...
First off, in case anyone out there doesn't know, there are a few advantages to purchasing a switch rather than a hub. The main advantage, for most users anyway, is that a switch provides optimal bandwidth to all ports, whereas a hub splits available bandwidth between all active users. This means that if you are sharing a cable modem for example with others in a house/office building, connection speed will not be reduced when multiple users connected to the switch are online. Now, as for this little baby, as soon as I saw the price I grabbed it instantly. The Linksys name had been mentioned to me favorably before, and the going price was within a few dollars of most 5-port hubs. I have been using it for 5 months now to share the cable modem in my apartment, and I can honestly say I have never had a single difficulty. Setup was quick and easy, I was online in less than 5 minutes. The whole device is smaller than most alarm clocks, so storage is hardly an issue. Overall, this is a best buy hands down, anyone out there who needs inexpensive networking equipment, this is the way to go.
I purchased my second Linksys EZXS55W recently to expand my home network. My first EZXS55W has been up and running for almost three years now, without a single hitch. However, due to the evolution of my home network, additional ports became necessary to accomodate all of the attached devices.
To discover the ability of this switch to deal with a complex network configuration, read on...
My network consists of: One HP desktop computer, which connects via a Linksys PCI ethernet adapter card; one Sony VAIO laptop computer, which connects via a Xircom PCMCIA wired ethernet card adapter; another Sony VAIO laptop, which connects via a Linksys 802.11b PCMCIA wireless ethernet adapter card; a Linksys wireless access point; an HP EX-Plus3 print server, connecting an HP laser printer; and, an additional ethernet port that I have wired for guests to use when they come to the house.
All of the above are wired to a Netgear router that resides off-site.
The network is configured as follows: Router > EZXS55W #1 > EZXS55W #2. The desktop and laptop are conncected to the first EZXS55W, as are the router and access point. The second EZXS55W is uplinked from the first, and the print server and additional wired port are connected to it. This leaves three additional ports on the second unit for future use.
The ease of setup and terrific performance of the EZXS55W cannot be overstated. In a network like mine, many people would go with a far more expensive managed switch; but, as can be seen above, this is not necessary. A novice who simply wants to connect all of the devices in his or her home and provide Internet and/or file and printer access to each of them can do so very easily with this switch.
The only issues one must consider before purchasing this switch:
1) This switch, unlike many others these days, uses an uplink port. This requires that the proper type of cable be used in the appropriate port. No big deal, but if you're not sure, you should consult the installation guide (or ask a more knowledgable friend) before attempting to install the switch.
2) Use of the uplink port disables the port beside it. Therefore, an uplinked switch has only four ports available to connect devices. If you need more ports, or think you might in the near future, consider buying the Linksys 8-port switch.
3) The switch is AC-powered. Be sure that there is an electrical outlet near the place where you want to install the switch.
These very minor concerns aside, the Linksys EZXS55W is a terrific ethernet switch at an absolutely unbeatable price. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to expand their home network quickly and easily. - Ezxs55w - Networking - Switches - Linksys'
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