Network switch help.

[Uncle Peter]

Enterprise type managed switches have also assimilated many of the layer 3 functions associated with olde worlde routers and will support concepts like routing and forwarding between vlans and conversely provide a means of segregation between vlans.

So if you were an IT services provider with a shared infrastructure a very basic scenario might be that a primary core switch is deployed to terminate many customer networks via VPNs/MPLS for example, maintaining separate routing tables for them which direct traffic to the appropriate destination in your data centre or shared service environment.

[qasdfdsaq]

Originally Posted by mrmistoffelees

It's actually either, a switching hub or a bridging hub

Hub is a term that refers to a completely separate class of device.

And if you work in IT and are modding switches to make them manageable I can only assume that trotters independent trading suddenly have moved to having a soho setup

No, just a H setup. Given it seems you've not read any part of the thread, let me point out he is asking for a consumer switch to use at home. For £50 you can get a second-hand 10/100 Catalyst switch or a gigabit consumer switch with full management capabilities and far better interoperability since open-source firmware doesn't obsess over maintaining their own proprietary junk.

You buy the proper kit ie Cisco or juniper catalyst/ex series

And how many of those do you have in your house?

Oh and bonding is a term that's about five years out of date it's port channel hence the interface name po1 etc

No, Port Channel is a Cisco specific term for their implementation of bonding. They also have their proprietary HSRP but you don't see everyone going around calling failover HSRP now do you? Not to mention some of their naming conventions are so out of date they're probably older than you are.

---------- Post added at 10:50 ---------- Previous post was at 10:48 ----------

Originally Posted by Uncle Peter

Enterprise type managed switches have also assimilated many of the layer 3 functions associated with olde worlde routers and will support concepts like routing and forwarding between vlans and conversely provide a means of segregation between vlans.

Indeed, and you can also get switch modules for "olde worlde" routers too... Bt frankly I don't see many sane people tolerating the noise or cost of enterprise type managed switches in their living room.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Hom3r

I'm looking at getting a network switch, the idiot IT guy at work suggested a "5-port Gigabit Desktop switch, TP-Link TL-SG1005D"

Now is there a Asus alternative that anybody can recommend, as I have a Asus Router.

TP-Link are actually quite good.. It's also worth remembering that the various standards (ethernet, TCP/IP and the various IEEE network standards supporting those) are well known enough that there is little chance of any incompatibility that would adversely affect a home user.

Sure, in a commercial setting, the vendors like to put in enhancements so that if you (say) stick to Cisco switches and routers, the network will be easier to manage, but this wouldn't affect home users.

Personally, I have always used Netgear or Cisco/Linksys routers, but when I eventually look to cable up the house with Ethernet sockets, I would be happy to use a TP link switch.

---------- Post added at 11:34 ---------- Previous post was at 11:30 ----------

Originally Posted by qasdfdsaq

Indeed, and you can also get switch modules for "olde worlde" routers too... Bt frankly I don't see many sane people tolerating the noise or cost of enterprise type managed switches in their living room.

True.. I've set up various networks using Cisco Routers and rather old 2960 switches. Get a few of those babies working together and all of a sudden, it sounds like you are standing in an airport, by a jet as it's taking off.

[Uncle Peter]

Aye configuring network devices in the office before shipping off to the data centre isn't seen as the most popular practice between the more civilised inhabitants

My lads were banned from doing that sometime ago so we normally console via an out-of-band switch where it's permitted.

[qasdfdsaq]

^^ One of the benefits of having your own office

Originally Posted by Stuart

True.. I've set up various networks using Cisco Routers and rather old 2960 switches. Get a few of those babies working together and all of a sudden, it sounds like you are standing in an airport, by a jet as it's taking off.

Hehe. A single Dell rack server with the lid off (which makes it spin all fans up to 100%) can be just as bad. I used to share an office with a lady in purchasing, she really hated that!

I believe the local hacklab has a rather thick glass cabinet door between them and their stack of Cisco playground gear.