Cisco Compact 24-port Gigabit Switch - Experiences?

So I am finally getting around to my structured wiring project and am completing my planning. The good news is that I was interrupted by the birth of a second son, so needless to say, I have been busy.

But it also means there are more options for Panel mountable Gigabit Switches. I want 24-ports. Future Proofing.

I am looking at this one:

Cisco SR2024CT 24 port 10/100/1000 Compact Gigabit Switch
Cisco SR2024CT on Amazon

It has one good review. I know that it is more of a small business type switch, but its size and capabilities seem to be perfect.

Anyone have any experience with this switch?

What do you mean by 'panel mounting'? On-wall rack?

Didn't even know that this one existed! Great find! I would be interest too if anyone has experience with this switch. Historically I am familiar with the enterprise "Stuff" from Cisco. I've not read too good of stuff relating to the Linksys/Cisco hardware devices.

I've been looking for replacing the 100Mb 24 port switch currently in my Leviton 42" panel. I've started to utilize a new Zonenet 24 port on the rack replacing the 8 port Gb (as I migrate everything over to Gb) but its smaller than the Dell Gb switch but still to big.

My inside the Leviton panel switch is currently mounted flat in the middle with the ports facing down using the screw holes on the underside of the switch matching the mounting holes on the Leviton panel. On top of it (I can even put the Leviton cover on it) fits one W2C box and there is room for two W2C devices. The wire pulls are from the back between two 2X4's and the top. Nothing on the side. Power on the bottom using a smaller Levition made for their can 120VAC power feed. Over the years adding more cable I've tried to keep the runs along the side of the panel except for the patch panel to switch cabling.

The hard part would be now to remove it uninvasively.

Around Dec, 2010 found a compact "import" Gb switch for around $120. Price is now at about $170 though. It is the generic version of a common mfg switch. Not sure which one though. The dimensions are : 11.02in. ×7.09in. ×1.93in. The build and appearance looks almost identical to the 100Mbs I am using with the LEDs on one side and the ports stacked two high.

Personally its more of a footprint thing than anything else right now. The generic 24port 100Mbs has worked fine now for about 5 years. Doesn't get too warm. A little bit tight thought as I put the patch panel about 8 inches below the switch and route the cables behind the patch panel and up to the switch.

Here's a picture of the $120.00 USD switch. (think that all its worth though (IE: non intelligent switch)). Strange just did a Google search and found it on Amazon for $125 but it was a dead link.

Neurorad said:

What do you mean by 'panel mounting'? On-wall rack?

Click to expand...

Sorry. I mean the 42" Leviton Can I'll be installing flush mount in the wall of my 2nd floor laundry room. We live on a slab (i.e. No basement) so everything will be top down from the attic. Good thing I have standing room up there and am pretty good with drywall!

Make sure it doesn't run too hot, or have an available option for venting the enclosure if it does turn out to be the case.

Or, find someone who has one.

Neurorad said:

Or, find someone who has one.

Click to expand...

Indeed. Hence my post.

The problem is I have only found the one review on Amazon.

How is this switch different from the predecessor, the Cisco SR2024C?

That one didn't get stellar reviews.

You could put a couple smaller switches into the enclosure, e.g. Netgear 12-port, fs116 or gs116, using a product holder snap-in module.

Or, maybe use an on-wall rack above the enclosure, and use any switch.



edit - can't find electron's pic of his switch

The 24-port switch that I have in the Leviton panel doesn't get warm and the switch itself is not vented utilizing a smaller 1 AMP 5VDC brick mounted inside of the Leviton (about 4-5 years now). (its actually a Cisco PS).

The ones on the rack (Dell and Zonenet) have fans.

NeuroRad,

I can take some pictures of a similiar 1/4 size wall mounted rack like combo patch panel switch mount that I have unused right now.

Still a very large footprint (but smaller than an open rack with posts running from floor to ceiling. I guess on a network "wall" it would be OK but adjacent to the Leviton 42" it would be hard to miss. I did utilize it in FL for a bit of time then swapped it out for an HAI and Leviton panel.

You could also get an "end of life" Cisco 2960 24Gb "do all" switch maybe for a song and dance.

I can say that myself and some coworkers who have dealt a lot with the SoHo (small business/large home) switches have sworn off anything from the Linksys (Cisco Small Business) line. This is because of way too many incidents of failure - and they're never the easy to spot failures - they're always the kind that cause lots of hairpulling and frustration troubleshooting spotty issues.

Before I'd even consider that, I'd look to something like this netgear which looks pretty comparable: http://www.amazon.com/GS724T-300-ProSafe%C2%AE-24-port-Gigabit-Switch/dp/B00358MP02/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1295311228&sr=1-1

However these are more intended for rack mount - so if you're looking for something that'll fit inside your can, you may want to consider smaller options... there are a couple small considerations:

Do you need a smart switch? ie Do you need the SMART switch features, like QOS, VLAN's, etc? Do you need the SFP fiber ports? If not that makes it easier...

If you're mounting inside the can, you'll probably want something like this: http://www.homecontrols.com/Channel-Vision-Universal-Product-Holder-CVC131x The large holder fits products up to 11.25 inches long by 3.25 inches thick. You could skip that and go with some industrial velcro if you need to so you can maximize space - but if you figure these racks mount between studs at 16" on center, meaning they're only about 14.5" wide; that's way less than any 24-port switch. The best one I could find that would fit that enclosure is: http://www.netgear.com/business/products/switches/prosafe-plus-switches/GS116E.aspx (I have some of these - they're slick). Those have some basic QoS and VLAN if you need them, but not as much as a high-end switch. You could put one or two of those stacked inside that universal product holder above... you're looking at more like $300 now, but I don't see you getting to 24 gigapit ports any other way. Keep in mind your router probably has 4 ports as well giving you 3 more usable ports.

Of course, if you really need more room, you can do what I did... I'm in a similar situation with no basements, etc... so I just added a 12U wall-mount rack in my closet and moved all my structured cabling in there into a patch panel- so far my switches are on a shelf, but I could easily go full-rack mount if I ever want to.

You need to also consider when you might need the additional capacity. Sometimes the technology has changed such that by the time you need the additional capacity, the new stuff is faster, cheaper and smaller.

So because this will be in my laundry room (which is high traffic due to having a 2-year old and a 4-year old) AND we don't have a basement, meaning he laundry room is more visible, there is no WAF-acceptable option for having stuff outside the can. This is only cable/phone/internet and is intended to show the wife I actually know what I am doing when I get more abmitious (when we move OUT of the townhouse and IN to a single-family home).

So, no, I am not settled on that particular switch, but I have to have something that fits in the can. I was trying to find a compact 24-port, unmanaged, so that I could have several extra ports available. I think I count 14-devices right now, and a 16-port doesn't give me much room. Given that I'll only have one can in the wall, I was trying not to go the multiple switch route either.

Still searching for some reviews on this thing, but I am not tied to it. The search continues... :wacko:

Work2Play said:

Before I'd even consider that, I'd look to something like this netgear which looks pretty comparable: http://www.amazon.com/GS724T-300-ProSafe%C2%AE-24-port-Gigabit-Switch/dp/B00358MP02/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1295311228&sr=1-1

Click to expand...

Too big to fit in a Leviton can...

Work2Play said:

If you're mounting inside the can, you'll probably want something like this: http://www.homecontrols.com/Channel-Vision-Universal-Product-Holder-CVC131x The large holder fits products up to 11.25 inches long by 3.25 inches thick. You could skip that and go with some industrial velcro if you need to so you can maximize space - but if you figure these racks mount between studs at 16" on center, meaning they're only about 14.5" wide; that's way less than any 24-port switch. The best one I could find that would fit that enclosure is: http://www.netgear.com/business/products/switches/prosafe-plus-switches/GS116E.aspx (I have some of these - they're slick). Those have some basic QoS and VLAN if you need them, but not as much as a high-end switch. You could put one or two of those stacked inside that universal product holder above... you're looking at more like $300 now, but I don't see you getting to 24 gigapit ports any other way. Keep in mind your router probably has 4 ports as well giving you 3 more usable ports.

Click to expand...

I keep hearing about the high failure rates on the GS116... Maybe it is a specific model or something. I see the GS116E, GS116NA... not sure which is the failing one. NA I think.

So I have figured out there is a NEW GS116 called the Prosafe PLUS. The previous model was just the Prosafe.

It seems the problems deal with a substandard power supply, and low quality capacitors on the boards internally. not sure if the Prosafe Plus version fixes this.

The challenge is that I can only seem to find stores carrying the old version.

I wouldn't be opposed to 2 of these things. They look plenty small enough to fit in a can, and I would just have to find some sort of bracket (some one previously linked to one) and do it... Just have to find a supplier for the new model.

OK. The new model number is GS116E-100NAS.

I found it online in several places and am thinking I will try two of these. Not going to order it until next month, but I'll come back with an update. (Like I said, trying to wrap up planning).

Thanks for the help everyone.