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Best Network Switch(es) For Use With FlexRadio?

Moose
Moose Member ✭✭
edited January 2020 in FLEX-6000 Signature Series
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

Answers

  • KC9EI - Dave
    KC9EI - Dave Member ✭✭
    edited December 2017
    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
    Martin AA6E Member ✭✭✭
    edited January 2020
    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
    MarkN7MHB Member ✭✭
    edited November 2017
    I'm using an Ubiquity 8 port switch with no problems.
  • Ted_Spiegel_NX6C
    Ted_Spiegel_NX6C Member ✭✭
    edited November 2017
  • Al K0VM
    Al K0VM Member ✭✭✭
    edited November 2017
    I  use a Netgear GS108 unmanaged switch and rarely see more than 10 dropped packet per million.
    AL, K0VM
  • Clay N9IO
    Clay N9IO Member ✭✭✭
    edited August 2019
    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
    Dave - WB5NHL Member ✭✭
    edited November 2017
    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
    Justin W4JTD Member ✭✭
    edited August 2018
    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
    Moose Member ✭✭
    edited November 2017
    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

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