Network performance decline linked to switch operations.
Network performance decline linked to switch operations.
I’m working on configuring a basic home server setup and need a straightforward unmanaged switch for easy plug-and-play use. I require it to link a laptop and a low-power backup NAS. I have a 100 Mbps internet connection (AirFiber provides solid speeds). When directly connected via Cat6 Ethernet, downloads reach over 100 Mbps and uploads around 70-80 Mbps. I purchased a TP-Link LS1005 5-port unmanaged switch, which supports up to 100 Mbps. It initially seemed suitable, but after setup, performance plummeted—download dropped from 100 Mbps to just 5 Mbps, while upload stayed stable. I’ve tried changing cables, testing ports, adjusting adapter settings, and none resolved the issue. Any advice or insights on what could be causing this drop?
A Gigabit switch should solve your problem. They're tempting because they're cheap, but there's no good reason to buy a 10/100 switch in the year 2024. Even though your Internet connection is less than 100 megabits, it also limits communication between local network devices to 100 megabits. If both your NAS and your laptop have Gigabit Ethernet, that switch is knocking the potential speed between them to 1/10th of what it could be.
This adjustment works well. If issues persist, they likely lie elsewhere.
I installed the new switch and it's performing well, achieving speeds near 95 to 100 Mbps.
Ensure you have an additional 10/100 switch for testing. Turn off Ethernet/Wi-Fi connections on unused systems. Think about using local solutions such as pi-hole or NextDNS to manage website access.
I tried this after installing the new switch. I had a 100 Mbps switch in my building for testing, so I used it as a reference. It worked just like my other 100 Mbps TP-Link switch. The new gigabit switch is performing well too—I can keep a stable connection with my test home server all the time and avoid high latency issues. That probably made a difference.