NETGEAR 16-Port Gigabit Metal Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS316) - $54.99

With so many devices in my living room, I have been looking for an inexpensive gigabit Ethernet switch with 8+ ports, but having the ports and LEDs in the front like this Netgear is a deal killer for me, since it means that either I have the network status LEDs pointed away from me so that I can't see them, or I have a lot of ugly network cables facing me in my entertainment unit.

As a legit question, why do people buy such premium switches? I just request a cheap 5 port switch from Telus whenever I need one and it's a gigabit one - so what's the point?

Bigboy16 wrote: ↑As a legit question, why do people buy such premium switches? I just request a cheap 5 port switch from Telus whenever I need one and it's a gigabit one - so what's the point?

I wouldn't exactly call this a premium switch.

bought it for 39$ july 3 2019. it's just a switch and it works. i'd wait for cheaper

Bigboy16 wrote: ↑ As a legit question, why do people buy such premium switches? I just request a cheap 5 port switch from Telus whenever I need one and it's a gigabit one - so what's the point?

Home labs, non PoE cams...etc. ...what do you mean by premium switches?

alicia454 wrote: ↑ With so many devices in my living room, I have been looking for an inexpensive gigabit Ethernet switch with 8+ ports, but having the ports and LEDs in the front like this Netgear is a deal killer for me, since it means that either I have the network status LEDs pointed away from me so that I can't see them, or I have a lot of ugly network cables facing me in my entertainment unit.

You can easily hang this on the back of some piece of furniture. There are two holes on the back of the device so you can hook it securely onto screw heads. You can also use double-sided tape. Having a 16-port switch visible on a surface takes up a lot of usable space so it's a pretty bad idea IMO regardless of the LEDs.

Bigboy16 wrote: ↑ As a legit question, why do people buy such premium switches? I just request a cheap 5 port switch from Telus whenever I need one and it's a gigabit one - so what's the point?

As others have mentioned there's nothing premium about this. It's a consumer-grade switch and there's nothing special about it.
As for why people would get this, it's pretty cheap and I own it. Also not everyone is with Telus. IDK if my ISP would even give me a switch if I needed one but if they did I'd worry about potential strings attached.

Can anybody suggest a business grade switch I can use for a home network?

EvolutionIV wrote: ↑ Can anybody suggest a business grade switch I can use for a home network?

What exactly do you mean by that?

Do you want a managed switch that you want to use at home?
I'd rather spend the money on a good router first.

Rogers and Bell give you very basic router functions. If you're concerned about security, start there first.
Asus makes good routers and I'd start with an RT-AC68U or better. Make sure that it's on the list for Merlin support, to give you added functionality.

https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/

If you want more control over every aspect of the router and you know your way around programming router related options, you can take a look at DD-WRT.
They also have a database of supported routers from various manufacturers.

https://dd-wrt.com/

alicia454 wrote: ↑ With so many devices in my living room, I have been looking for an inexpensive gigabit Ethernet switch with 8+ ports, but having the ports and LEDs in the front like this Netgear is a deal killer for me, since it means that either I have the network status LEDs pointed away from me so that I can't see them, or I have a lot of ugly network cables facing me in my entertainment unit.

All my stuff in the TV cabinet gets either tape over the LED's or a tinted sticker (if I need to be able to tell if the light is on/off without being distracted by it). Made a huge difference when watching TV at night.

That said once you get to larger than 8 ports its pretty hard to find one that isn't a light show when its running. At that point throw it in a drawer/cabinet or like the other poster said use double-sided tape to attach it to the back of the furniture/wall.

mcheddadi wrote: ↑ bought it for 39$ july 3 2019. it's just a switch and it works. i'd wait for cheaper

Overpriced, compared to 8 port. Shouldn't be double the price but closer to $30+ range.