Network Switch Roundup

Aside from the long and cryptic model number, the first thing you'll notice about the Linksys EZXS88W is the size. It is easily the largest switch we tested at 6 inches long, 2 inches high, and fully 11 inches wide. This is still not a huge, hulking beast mind you, and it is very light. However, for all it's size, the 88W has the smallest LED display of all the switches. It's 32 separate LEDs are neatly and tightly packed into a 1 ½ by ½ inch space, making it very difficult to read at any distance over a couple of feet. The ports are in the front, which is part of the space problem, but there is still plenty of unused real estate on the face of the switch that could hold LEDs. Even if the small layout if necessary for some reason, a better system of indicators could be used, such as D-Link's use of two-colored LEDs. The case itself is computer-case-beige and almost perfectly rectangular, so it should fit in with the rest of the equipment in your rack or shelf. Price-wise, the Linksys is the lowest of all the contenders, at an amazing $108.95 street price.

Features/Specs

• 8-Port 10/100 Dual-Speed Per-Port
• Perfect for Optimizing 10BaseT and 100BaseTX Hardware on the Same Network
• Reach Speeds of Up To 200Mbps in Full Duplex Operation
• Eliminate Bandwidth Constraints and Clear Up Bottlenecks
• NWAY Technology Detects Cabling Type, Speed, and Duplex Operation
• Advanced Store-and-Forward Packet Switching
• Auto-Partitioning Protects PCs from Downed Network Lines
• Preamble Regeneration and Incoming Frame Retiming
• VLSI Components for Reliability
• Free Technical Support on the Phone and on the Web
• Five Year Limited Warranty
• Model No.: EZXS88W
• Standard: IEEE 802.3 and 802.3u
• Topology: Star
• Protocol: CSMA/CD
• Speed: 100Mbps & 10Mbps
• Ports: 8 ports and a shared Uplink port
• LEDs: Power & Collision, Link/Activity, Full Duplex, and 100 Per Port
• Power: External AC Adapter
• Input: 100-240VAC 50-60Hz
• Output: 5VDC, 3-6A
• Certification: FCC Class A & CE
• Cabling: Category 5 UTP/STP
• Dimension: 11"x6.25"x2.1"
• Weight: 1lb 15oz