NETGEAR16-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (JGS516) - Desktop or Rackmount, and Limited Lifetime Protection

!UPDATE!It's been a little under A year that I've had this thing and NO problems at all. I love it! All the ports work perfectly and I can't seem to notice a decrease in speed when the network is being jammed with data. I never have to restart this switch (the only times that it does get turned off is when the power goes out/flashes) so it's always on and doesn't usually get a break.This switch is amazing, and so is all of net gear's stuff!!! I have never had a single problem with anything from net gear (now Cisco is a different story haha).I purchased this switch on August 10, 2013 (Received it on August 14, 2013). I opened it up and simply plugged in all my Ethernet cables and powered it on... boom my network came alive. It's really that simple. I do not have much to say about it since I have only had for a short while now... but from what I can see it is working properly.The main reason I have reviewed this product so early in my time using it is that I wanted to cover the fan. Pretty much every review has said something about the noisy little fan. Well... the unit I received plain didn't have a fan at all! I have noticed a pattern in the reviews that mentioned the fan. The later ones (2009-ish) stated a noisy fan... and the ones earlier (maybe late 2010-2012 stated a quieter fan) and recent reviews (early-mid 2013) stated no fan. I have just come to believe that netgear has done away with the fan due to bad reviews. Also, the unit that I received looks difference than the one in the picture - The 2 groups of 8 ports are spread apart more in the center and the status LEDs are way over to the left (The picture has ports to the right and LEDs more toward the center). I didn't mind this for it doesn't matter (the unit still functions) but I felt it should be stated for some random reason.

I have two of these switches, one with POE and one with out. They both work flawlessly. Would but again.

Hooked up all of my devices, plugged it in and was ready to go. No problems. Solved all of my port availability issues.

As an unmanaged switch should, the product was ready to go and now sits happily in my home network cabinet shooting data packets to all my ethernet-connected appliances that I choose to expose to the scary outside world.

This product is excellent for what its intended to do - unmanaged gigabit switch. Because others have appropiately covered the product's technical merits, I wish to focus on the issue of fan noise, which I think has been exargerated by some reviewers. I have had my product on continuously now for over 2 weeks - the noise is more a quiet gentle humming noise that stays on continuously - guite pleasant, actually. I have my switch installed in my walkin closet, which is adjacent to my bedroom. I can only hear the humming noise inside the walkin closet but not in the adjacent bedroom, and would not mind if my bed were any closer to the switch - this is really a gentle noise. My switch handles 6 IP cameras, 4 computers, 1 xbox game, the router and other network accessories - I am using all but one port. I am glad I did not downgrade to a lower model because of this exargerated noise issue noted by a few reviewers. I recommend this product, if you need that many ports as I did.

Here's my story. I used to have (note past tense) pretty much all Linksys gear in my home. Router, switches, print servers, etc. Over a half-dozen devices because our condo is wired like an office with network drops everywhere.All of a sudden in the span of about 6 months, one-by-one most of the devices just died. They had power, but simply would not pass network traffic. I wrote to Linksys and basically said, "Here's my situation, meet me half-way, do something, anything to keep my business." They never replied. So I began a quest to look into a new switch for my home office. I decided I wanted a 16 port model because I might max out an 8 port unit.I noticed that the "ProSafe" line from Netgear comes with a lifetime warranty and 24/7 technical support (although how much support can one need for an auto-sensing switch, assuming it's actually working.) So I gravitated toward that line of products. Then looking at the comparison charts I was trying to determine the difference between the mid-level "GS" series and their top-of-the-line "JGS" series switches.There is only one: The JGS models have a built-in power supply. Meaning, no "brick," just a standard 3-prong power cord.Sold!My only complaint (and it is significant): The little fan inside this monster is quite noisy. Almost as loud a standard desktop PC, which uses a much larger power supply and fan. Mind you it does not sound "cheap." It sounds like a quality fan and power supply. It quite simply needs a little better ventilation and Netgear needs to invest that whopping extra 2 bucks on a higher grade fan that it is truly whisper quiet.So in summary, fine for a network closet or an open area with a few people an other things that make modest constant noise, but think about it a bit if it will be in a "quiet" office setting. With quieter operation, it would easily earn 5 stars in my book.

Not much to say. It does it's job as it should.

Plug and play as expected. From unboxing to mounting in cabinet to routing traffic in about 10 minutes (most of the time attaching the mount brackets). Nice upgrade from my old 100meg switch. Great buy.