Stupid - Purchased a new switch for a project, only to discover there was one left over...
Stupid - Purchased a new switch for a project, only to discover there was one left over...
I bought a new D-link dgs 1016s to tidy up some Ethernet cables. Tonight I started the job and accidentally hit an old switch I hadn’t used for years. It’s a Netgear gs316. I checked online and it seems like a reliable model from 2019. I’m asking if anyone knows whether it’s better to use the old switch or if the new D-link offers improvements. The switch appears to be around four years newer, but I’m not sure about any major updates during that period.
QOS on a switch could be useful when you overload the connection to your router. However, if you're not consistently using 1GE from the switch to the router, then QOS won't be very important.
If feasible and practical, I recommend maintaining the new switch.
Activate the new switch and secure the warranty. Even if all features aren’t required or utilized.
This could alter...
Maintain the old switch as a backup option – verify its functionality.
The main concern is that eventually you’ll require a switch, and having one available may prevent future delays, costs, and frustration.
I'll connect things this week when I can and check the situation. I'm aiming to rearrange some cables using the 16 port switch and a few eight port switches I've been using. By moving a few leftover cables to the 16, I should free up space on the eight ports for shorter cables needed for my home theater. This is the issue I'm trying to solve now. I'll take sixteen long Ethernet cables, sort them out, and place them near my equipment. I intend to keep the extra switch until I finish setting everything up. It seems like a solid plan.
Take a moment to prepare ahead: draw out your concepts physically, mark ports and cables, note devices such as switches, home theater parts, cable paths, etc.
This helps maintain order and ensures a systematic approach.
Add some testing in between to check connections and confirm they function properly.
Record device details, names, IP addresses, and MAC addresses.
Pings can verify whether links are active and follow the intended routes.
The diagram or plan doesn’t have to be complex, nor should it restrict adjustments later.
Rearranging items on paper can save significant time and effort.
It’s especially helpful if you find something missing or incorrect that would require redoing work.
With 16 cables, wires tend to get tangled, so planning is wise.
You might already have started—this gives you a solid foundation.
A physical understanding of network layout is valuable and beneficial for troubleshooting and future updates.
Half the lights out isn't ideal. It might be that the switch has stopped working properly. I haven't returned the new one yet. Should I turn it on so all lights come on instead of just half? Also, I connected a patch cable directly from the router to it, but no blinking was seen in any port.
Usually this indicates a faulty power brick. Netgear's lifetime warranty for business-class ProSafe items like the GS116 pertains only to models produced after May 1, 2007 and excludes power bricks. Another potential issue is the electrolytic capacitors inside, which are detailed in the video. Unfortunately, you purchased a non-ProSafe GS316 with just a three-year warranty, and it was six years ago. The lights were meant to blink for one second upon startup, but the fact that they crash mid-boot hints at unstable power. *"Lifetime Warranty"* is claimed to last five years after the model reaches end-of-life, yet the company has kept releasing new versions under the same names to avoid warranty claims.