Best Network Switch(es) For Use With FlexRadio?

Moose

What do I need to look for to select an adequate network switch to use with FlexRadio products? The one that I bought a while ago kept dropping packets and my radio would lose connection with my PC periodically. 

73 Chris AK4SK

KC9EI - Dave

TP-LINK has some reasonably priced switches. I usually stay away from the consumer grade switches because of their short life span. GigE ports are minimum requirements. Look for low-cost "management" switches that allow consoling in whether it be serial or IP based. Then you know you are in the right ballpark. Nothing beats transferring data across a network at 1Gig.

Any managed-switch with GigE ports should serve you well.

Martin AA6E

My experience (6500 + Maestro) has been that Gigabit connections for the Flex gear can be flakey (dropping some packets).   Dropping back to a 100 Mb/s switch cures that problem.   The Flex gear only requires a few Mbit/s, so 100 is fine.  (The Gigabit behavior is said to be better with recent SSDR/Maestro releases, but I have not investigated.)

I don't think we have seen any data on one model of switch vs another.

Most switches will probably be fine.  You might make an argument for a switch that has a metal case that can be grounded. 

I am using a D-Link DES-105, which is metal cased with an actual ground lug -- and 100 Mb/s.  No issues with it. $15 on Amazon Prime, I see.

73 Martin AA6E

MarkN7MHB

I'm using an Ubiquity 8 port switch with no problems.

Ted_Spiegel_NX6C

You might find this thread helpful.
https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/any-recommendation-gigabit-switch-for-6700

Ted Spiegel
NX6C

Al K0VM

I  use a Netgear GS108 unmanaged switch and rarely see more than 10 dropped packet per million.
AL, K0VM

Clay N9IO

Like Martin I also have one of the original Maestro's and on a GB switch it would
even disconnect occasionally after an extended time on.  The older Maestro wants to see a 100mb port. The radio is fine with either.

I have a 16 port unmanaged GB switch plugged in to my wireless Linksys WRT 1900 AC router.
The 16 port is a Netgear GS116, it is a metal groundable box.

The answer for me was to add a 5 port 10/100 switch,
the also unmanaged Netgear FS105 also a metal groundable box.

Plug each switch (16 and 5 port) in to your wireless router, I have had absolutely no issues with RF this way.
At first I had quickly plugged the 5 port in to the 16 port and had RF interference issues at high power.

Dave - WB5NHL

I have used Trendnet GreenNet switches for many months. I use a 16 port in my pantry and 5 port switches in several rooms.

• GREENnet technology reduces power consumption when:

1. Ethernet port is not in use
2. Connected device is turned off
3. Connected device is in power-saving mode
4. Based on Ethernet cable length

This reduces potential RFI.

Justin W4JTD

I’ve been using a Netgear GS316 for a while now, was not too expensive and works great. Also runs on 12V so no Wall wart. https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-16-Port-Gigabit-Ethernet-Desktop/dp/B01AX8XHRQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511564794&sr=8-1&keywords=Gs316 Even has a ground lug. ;-) Justin KL2D

Moose

Thank you for all of the replies.

The switch I was using is a NETGEAR S105NA 5-Port 10/100 device. It would drop the connection to SmartSDR or the Maestro completely anywhere from just a few minutes or a few hours after being started. I only have need of a switch with a few ports so I'll check out those recommendations. I think I'll get a shielded ethernet cable also.

73 Chris AK4SK