Netgear's family of five-speed multi-gigabit network switch products - introduced in late 2017 - has been expanded with the addition of two new offerings. They are:
The Netgear XS512EM, a 12-port 10-gigabit/multi-gigabit Ethernet Smart Managed Plus Switch with two SFP+ ports. It is available in desktop and rackmount options.
The Netgear XS724EM, a 24-port 10-gigabit/multi-gigabit Ethernet Smart Managed Plus Switch, also with two SFP+ ports. A rackmount version is standard.
According to Tobie van Schalkwyk, Business Development Manager at Duxbury Networking, the South African Netgear distributor, the new switches deliver a comprehensive set of market-leading features comparable to other Netgear Smart Managed Plus switches. They include network monitoring, traffic prioritisation and network segmentation.
"The new switches, with five speeds per Ethernet port, are among the most flexible and affordable 10-gigabit/multi-gigabit switches available," he states. "They are targeted at business users looking for more network visibility and control - in addition to hassle-free, plug-and-play connectivity."
The switches operate at 100Mbps, 1Gbps, 2.5Gbps, 5Gbps or 10Gbps and feature a simplified set-up, thanks to a Web browser-based management graphical user interface (GUI).
"With the aid of this intuitive interface, the switches offer easy, reliable and affordable connectivity, including granular, per-port bandwidth control and traffic monitoring, without the need to install costly new cabling to overcome speed barriers."
He explains that modern high-performance networking devices such as network cards, gaming PCs, desktop PCs, servers, network attached storage (NAS) and AC Wave2 wireless access points, now offer both 2.5-gigabit or 5-gigabit connectivity options.
"While conventional 10-gigabit switches provide standard 1-gigabit connectivity to any device requiring less than 10Gbps, Netgear's multi-gigabit switches deliver additional options for 2.5Gbps and 5Gbps," he says.
"As a result, businesses are able to combine legacy Ethernet speeds such as 100Mbps or 1Gbps, with 10Gbps and now 2.5Gbps and 5Gbps, enabling all devices to run at their individual highest speeds, thus leveraging the full potential, in terms of performance and coverage, of the latest high-speed devices."
He continues: "Each of the intelligent multi-speed copper Ethernet ports on the new switches automatically detect the speed requested by the connected device and the quality of the cabling serving it, providing the appropriate connection at one of the five speed options.
"Significantly, the ports can be connected with regular Cat5E Ethernet cables, without the need to upgrade to Cat6 wiring, thereby reducing wiring costs. Each switch also has two SFP+ fibre ports with 1-gigabit or 10-gigabit connectivity - ideal for providing a high-speed uplink to a core network."
Van Schalkwyk says both the XS512EM and the XS724EM switches go beyond basic network connectivity by adding reliability, enhanced control, visibility and security advantages to small and medium-sized networks.
Expounding on these values, he notes Netgear's link aggregation and loop prevention functions boost reliability by minimising possible downtime, while control is enhanced and network performance improved with integrated virtual LAN (VLAN), quality of service (QOS) and multicast support features.
Network visibility is increased, enabling possible cable issues or abnormal traffic behaviour to be highlighted through cable health tests and the generation of port statistics. Additionally, security is improved and the network protected from possible malware threats through Netgear's Auto Denial of Service (DOS) and broadcast traffic storm control functions.
"Both the new Netgear XS724EM and the XS512EM switches can operate either in silent mode or with a quiet fan," adds Van Schalkwyk. "This whisper-quiet feature, combined with the smaller form factor of the 12-port XS512EM and its flexible, rackmount and desktop mounting options, make the XS512EM particularly suited to smaller, more intimate office spaces."
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