Product Description

Netgear FS605 5 Port Fast Ethernet Switch

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2005 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: NetGear
• Model: FS605UK
• Released on: 2002-01-08
• Platform: Windows
• Dimensions: 5.07 pounds

Features

• Instant plug-and-play
• 5-port 10/100Mbps switch
• Auto speed and duplex detection
• Auto Uplink for the right connection
• External power adaptor

Amazon.co.uk Review
If you're setting up a network, you are going to need a switch to sit at the centre of your network amd direct communications between computers. Netgear's Platinum Series 5 Port 10/100 Switch FS605 is a five-port switch, so you can connect up to five computers. It supports fast Ethernet, running at 100 Mbps, but is also compatible with the slower Ethernet standard at 10 Mbps.

A switch is a device to which all computers in a network or section of a network send their data. A switch works out which computer should receive the data and sends it out to just that port. This is different from a hub, which directs everything it receives to all available ports, leaving it up to the receiving computers to work out if the data is intended for them.

It shouldn't be hard to see that a switch is a lot quicker than a hub. All ports on a switch have the potential to run at the full speed of the network to which they're connected. In a hub, the top speed of any port is the speed of the network divided by the number of ports in the hub. There's also a limit to the number of hubs you can connect together to extend a network--there's no such limit when connecting switches.

The FS605, about the size of a Pocket PC or portable CD drive, has a set of six LEDs on its front edge. The first shows when the power from the separate mains power pack is connected, while the other five show when individual ports in the switch are active. They shine yellow for an Ethernet connection and green for a fast Ethernet one, and flash as data passes through them.

You can position this Netgear switch horizontally on the desktop or vertically using the stand provided or wall-mounting. With all recent versions of Windows, all the software you need to set up a network is built into the operating system and no extra programs are needed or supplied by Netgear.

Should you need to connect the FS605 to another switch to extend your network, you don't need to worry about using special cables or designating one of the ports as an uplink between the two switches. This device is intelligent enough to work it out itself and any of the five ports will automatically switch to an uplink mode as required. --Simon Williams

Manufacturer's Description
Hang on – your network will soar when it's hooked up to NETGEAR's FS605! This powerful plug-and-play switch connects at 10 or 100 Mbps and makes it easy to link as many as five computers or peripherals to your Ethernet network. You'll experience maximum performance for 10 or 100 Mbps devices with five ports that automatically sense the correct speed while Auto Uplink on the ports adjusts for the different types of Ethernet cables. The FS605's sleek case has lights on the front for easy monitoring. Installation into your home network couldn't be simpler and, once powered on, it begins cool and silent operation – without an internal fan.

Versatile Connects up to five computers, servers, printers, switches or any other Ethernet devices at 10 or 100 Mbps over Ethernet cables. Works with virtually any operating system (Microsoft Windows, Apple Macintosh, Linux and more).

User-Friendly Designed specifically for home and small office users with Plug-and-Play installation, rear ports that reduce cable clutter, and front status lights for easy monitoring.

Resourceful All five ports deliver automatic speed and duplex sensing, plus Auto Uplink adjusts for different Ethernet cable types to make the right link everytime. No connection problems from using the wrong cable.

Well-Designed Sleek, modern case combines with other NETGEAR Platinum products so you can place them on top of each other. Or you can use the included vertical stand to conserve desk space. Trust your network to NETGEAR's built-to-last reliability from using high-quality components.

Box Contents

Customer Reviews

Another quality piece of kit from Netgear
Having been a Network Engineer for several years now, I have always recommended Netgear switches for smaller networks. They are rock solid, and can be used for network printers too (HP JetDirect, etc).

I have also found them useful for netowrk clustering, where only one main network link is available, these can chain onto existing switches of any make and run very easily, stright out of the box.

If you are looking for a larger scale solution (12+ users) though, you should really consider a solution using Cisco or 3Com switches. Maybe more expensive but definitely more reliable in larger network environments :o)

Perfect for beginners and advanced alike
Never having networked before, i bought this switch after some advice from a local network guru. I have never looked back.
The device is very small, (about the size of a fist) and exceedingly light, not counting the plug that comes with it.
Getting my laptop attached to my computer was very simple. Plug in the cat 5 cables and switch everything on!!
The computer required some adjustments as the internet security package i have didnt want to network, but it took no time at
all to rectify and i can now share files at lightning speed.

What a great little gadget, at a great little price. I reccomend it to all networkers, beginners and advanced

Quality Networking Kit
As you'd expect with a switch setup is just a case of plugin the power and your ithernet cables and away you go. The device itself isn't very pretty looking (I prefer the FS105, already having an FS108) but it gets the job done. Not had any problems at all.

I currently have 2 PCs connected to this switch, then switch is connected to a router (with it's own built-in switch elsewhere in the house).