switches

I bought the Linksys EZXS55W EtherFast 10/100 5-Port Switch a couple of weeks ago and my network is working faster than ever before! I have a DSL connection and before buying the switch I was getting slower internet and SOHO networking speeds. I bought this switch to work along with my new 2wire 100 home portal and both the internet speeds and SOHO networking speeds are incredibly reliable and fast! I run graphic intensive, real-time processes in my network (online gaming, dataset transfers, group graphic development over the internet, etc.) and everything works to perfection! I reccommend this switch if you are thinking about building a network, it's fast, reliable, and inexpensive. Also, if you have DSL or cable internet connections, buy a GOOD dedicated home portal/router like the 2wire 100, it is much better than any of the router/switch combinations that are out there.

I got mine as part of a kit (Linksys Switched 10/100 Network in a Box) which included the EZXS55W, 2 ethernet cards, 2 cables, and the manuals and software stuff... It works like a charm on my network under Windows98 - it's actually hard to tell when you're on another computers hard drive - it's that fast! (One thing it's not, however, is a router... It works fine for sharing an internet connection with computers running modems, but you can't share a DSL connection...I recently signed up for a DSL hookup and the phone company guys said I had to replace my Linksys EZXS55W switch with a Linksys BEFSR41 Cable/DSL Router.) If you just want to network some home computers together and share a single internet modem connection though, this unit is well worth the money.

This switch does exactly what it's designed for, sharing an Ethernet connnection. Don't expect to be able to configure VLANs, multilayer switching, VLAN trunks, load balancing, etc. This does not have any routing, NAT, or firewall capabilities. You would use this switch when you already have a router between your internal network and the Internet, and you need additional Ethernet ports. This gives you a full duplex Ethernet connection at wired speed, and it delivers! Perfect for the home office/LAN or for technicians needing extra Etherenet ports for their workbench, as this is what I use mine for. Thanks for reading! Hope this helps!