ARCHIVED: Recommended switches for use on the IU network

This content has been archived, and is no longer maintained by Indiana University. Information here may no longer be accurate, and links may no longer be available or reliable.

Ethernet hubs, repeaters, and switches are a cost-effective way to provide network connectivity to multiple devices via a single data jack. However, improperly implemented switches can result in network problems for an entire building or even, in some rare cases, an entire campus.

To prevent network problems, end-user Ethernet switches on the IU network must meet the basic requirements published by UITS. For an explanation of these requirements, and for testing instructions, see ARCHIVED: Requirements for end-user Ethernet switches on the IU network.

Recommended switches

The following switches have been tested and meet the requirements for end-user Ethernet switches:

Vendor Model Number Description
Amer Networks SGD105
5-Port Unmanaged 10/100/1000 Mbps Desktop Switch
Amer Networks SGD5
5-Port Unmanaged 10/100/1000 Mbps Desktop Switch
Amer Networks SGD8
8-Port Unmanaged 10/100/1000 Mbps Desktop Switch
Amer Networks SGR24
24-Port Unmanaged 10/100/1000 Mbps Desktop Switch
*Cisco SG100D-09P
8-Port PoE Gigabit Desktop Switch
*D-Link DSG-1008P
8-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch with 4 PoE Ports
D-Link DGS-2205
5-Port 10/100/1000 Desktop Switch
HP ProCurve HP408
HP ProCurve 408 8-Port 10/100 Switch
Linksys EG005W 5-Port Workgroup Switch
Netgear GS105NA
ProSafe 5-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch
Netgear GS108NA
ProSafe 8-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch
*Netgear GS108P
ProSafe 8-Port 10/100/1000 Gigabit Switch with 4-Port PoE
SMC Network SMC8505T
5-Port 10/100/1000 Mbps Auto-Sensing Gigabit Switch
SMC Network SMC8508T
8-Port 10/100/1000 Mbps Auto-Sensing Gigabit Switch
TRENDnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Gigabit GREENnet Switch

*These switches are recommended for devices that require Power over Ethernet (PoE), which includes VoIP phones for Skype for Business/Lync and CIC/PureConnect.

None of the switches listed supports the IEEE Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), but all forward STP. Looping ports on the switch cause traffic to flood the upstream (IU) switch, which catches the loop and disables the port with STP. Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) forwards correctly, with no IGMP snooping.

Not recommended

The following switches have been tested and do not meet the requirements for end-user Ethernet switches:

Vendor Model Number Description
HP ProCurve 4000M HP ProCurve Series 4000
HP ProCurve 1800 HP ProCurve Series 1800


This is document awlr in the Knowledge Base.
Last modified on 2018-07-06 13:42:02.