Consider a 10-gig switch for enhanced connectivity.
Consider a 10-gig switch for enhanced connectivity.
Here are some alternatives and options you might find useful:
- A TP-Link TL-SX3008F with eight 10Gbps SFP+ ports is available for $232. You can check it here: [Amazon link](https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-TL-SX3008...B0973T7BGL).
- The 16-port model costs $500. Microtik offers a similar device priced at $262, including an 8x10G SFP+ port and a 1Gbps switch (CRS309-1G-8S+IN): [Microtik link](https://www.amazon.com/MikroTik-Desktop-...B07NFXN4SS).
- Mokerlink has an 8-port SFP+ switch for $215 on Amazon, though it isn’t rackable: [MokerLink link](https://www.amazon.com/MokerLink-Support...B09W24RZDC).
- QNAP provides budget-friendly options around $369 for a setup with 6 x 2.5G RJ45 and 4 SFP+ ports: [QNAP link](https://www.amazon.com/QNAP-QSW-M2106-4S...B0BK2M7X7M).
- Netgear offers a switch with four 1G/2.5G and four 1G/2.5G/5G/10G RJ45 ports plus two 10G SFP+ ports for $500: [Netgear link](https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-10-Port-M...B08PPYTB1V).
- For refurbished or used gear, consider a Cisco 6120XP switch (N10-6100) with 20 SFP+ ports for $210: [Unix Surplus link](https://unixsurplus.com/cisco-N10-S6100-...fp-switch/).
- If you’re open to discontinued models, a Cisco switch is available for $210 and supports 20 SFP+ ports.
- DAC cables can be sourced to convert a 40G port into four 10G ports for about $30–40 per length: [Unix Surplus link](https://unixsurplus.com/).
- You can also explore Arista or Juniper switches on eBay for 10G ports, which are plentiful.
I run a Netgear XS508M with eight ports, 10GbE, RJ45 connectivity. It's not the cheapest option, but it's not the most costly either. I think adding rack mount brackets would be a good idea.
For a bit of noise and 80 watts, the Brocade ICX6610 offers 16 10GbE ports—eight front, two split 40GbE ports, four fixed 40GbE ports, and 24 or 48 copper gigabit ports with optional PoE+. Around $200 should cover it as long as your 10G equipment supports SFPs. It’s odd how expensive 10GBASE-T gear remains when 10G DACs and short-range fiber SFPs are now commonplace.
It really comes down to what matters most. The MS510TXUP offers solid performance with both 10G and 2.5G speeds, stays relatively quiet, and doesn’t overheat or drain power excessively. I’m comfortable using it because I’m running multiple PoE devices—like my Wi-Fi AP and LED strips—alongside a high-end Intel processor and ten storage drives (six HDDs) that together use about 152W on average. One port runs at 5G, the other at 2.5G, with the Wi-Fi expected to jump to 10G after an upgrade. The main downside is that if you can’t use DAC, you’ll need additional SFP+ adapters or fiber, which can add a significant cost—often double what you pay for used units. I got it quickly after months of waiting due to component shortages, but it’s still hard to find and now costs more, especially since PoE++ models are rarer.
It's a bit pricier but still around $1,300. This is my top pick with extra ports and two 40GB slots: https://store.ui.com/products/switch-enterprisexg-24