Over the past week I had completed a major network upgrade at home, replacing all five computers with much quieter, less power-hungry duo-core models.
Typically during server replacement I would rename the existing box, build the new one, transfer files and settings between the two, and then rebuild the old server as a workstation so that it can be given away/donated. The mass file transfers can be a little onerous, especially between old and new file servers. Apparently the workload was too much for my Cisco/Linksys SD2008 (rev 2.1) switch, because it suffered some kind of failure (probably overheat) and then stepped down the speed for all ports from 1 gbit to a mere 100 mbits. Even after a reboot and disconnection of all inputs save one port.
Not cool, especially since the SD2008 is less than a year old—my initial prediction of it lasting “into the long haul” was way off. It’s got a lifetime warranty, but that’s small comfort. What is the point in lifetime replacements which fail after less than a year? At this point I have tried D-Link, NetGear and Linksys 8-port gigabit switches, and come to the conclusion that consumer-model switches are basically a waste of time. Without a fan, these things are going to overheat and die when 7 of 8 ports are in use, 24/7.
I’m going to give Cisco/Linksys one last kick at the can, in the form of the new semi-managed SLM2008. It shares the same form factor with the (unmanaged) SD2008, but the power consumption is much lower, a mere 6 watts. The fact that it has managed switch capabilities is a nice addition, and it’s about the same cost as its unmanaged predecessor. This thing had better last for at least two years, or I’m swearing off Cisco/Linksys products completely.
Chris is most often found flying a desk, but he delights in studying the Golden Age of Aviation (1919-1939). He admires all the pioneering men and women who navigated the skies with nothing more sophisticated than a map, compass and sextant—and the conviction that there was no place they could not reach.
