Please recommend a 5 port Ethernet switch that has advanced management
capabilities.  We are running large IP video streams over this
network.  We want the ability to monitor traffic flow through the
switch.  Currently, we are simply using Linksys desktop switches
without any capability to monitor. Perhaps a Cisco or Extreme product,
if it's available.  Please include price and an on-line site where we
can purchase.

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Request for Question Clarification by maniac-ga on 20 Feb 2003 18:05 PST

Hello Jr1734,

Would an eight port managed switch be acceptable? A Cisco 1548 managed
switch varies in price from $500 to $900 based on capability. With
other vendors, a range of $250 to $600 is more likely.

A preliminary search indicates that a small number of managed ports
are only available on Gigabit Ethernet (which I assume you don't want
to pay for).

If this is OK, please let me know so I can provide some references.
  --Maniac

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Clarification of Question by jr1734-ga on 20 Feb 2003 18:35 PST

An 8-port switch is acceptable.  Please provide a couple of products
within the $250-$600 price range.  If you could include on-line
vendors, I would appreciate.

Hello Jr1734,

Perhaps one of the best resources for network equipment (as well as a
number of other computer related items) is "Nextag". For example
  http://www.nextag.com/serv/main/buyer/OutPDir.jsp?node=&otherForm=n&doSearch=y&advanced=n&search=8+port+managed+switch&searchnodeid=-1
is a search with the phrase 8 port managed switch and lists 23
products with that basic name. The first item is a three mode
10/100/1000 Mbit Ethernet switch, but several items listed are in the
price range you are interested in.

For example The Milan 9 port switch (8 ports plus uplink) is described
at
  http://www.milan.com/switches/simplesw.html
with prices on nextag at
  http://www.nextag.com/Milan_9PORT_Switch_8~3583655z3znz300000zz1zz8_port_managed_switchzmainz2-htm
This device includes SNMP or console based management, quality of
service, and performance at line speeds on all eight lines.

Another example is the Asante FM2008/9 described at
  http://www.asante.com/products/switches/FM2008-9/index.html
with prices on nextag at
  http://www.nextag.com/Asante_FM2009_MMC_8PORT~55775032z3znz300000zz1zz8_port_managed_switchzmainz2-htm
The description of capabilities are similar to the Milan device above.

As mentioned before, Cisco has a series of managed "micro switches",
the 1538 is still available at
  http://www.nextag.com/Cisco_1500_8PORT_Autosensing~372284z3znz300000zz1zz8_port_managed_switchzmainz2-htm
but is no longer being actively marketed by Cisco.

SMC Networks has the Tigerswitch Series, an 8 port version with
Gigabit uplink is described at
  http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?action=products_show_description&productCode=SMC6709L2
with pricing at
  http://www.nextag.com/SMC_8PORT_10_100BTX~55892224z3znz300000zz1zz8_port_managed_switchzmainz2-htm

These are four devices, all in the range of $250 to $600 (though you
*can* pay more for the Cisco devices). There are also some 12 and 16
port managed switches from HP and other vendors at the high end of the
price range ($500-$600) as well.

A few other places you may wish to visit include:
  http://smc.routerreviews.net/
  http://dlink.routerreviews.net/
  http://www.epinions.com/
and similar sites with reviews on the products you select. Enter the
name of the company / product name in the search field to go directly
to the product you are interested in.

Search phrases used for this research include
  "8 port managed switch"
and a variety of similar searches using company names (e.g., Cisco,
SMC Networks, Asante).

  --Maniac

Excellent.  Very thorough.