TRENDnet TPE-TG380/TEG-S750: 30 second rating
TRENDnet, a global network device manufacturer headquartered in the US, recently introduced two multi-gigabit unmanaged network switches (opens in new tab)the TPE-TG380 and TEG-S750, which aim to future-proof a small home network on a budget.
The speed increase is at least two times for the TPE-TG380 and between five to nine times when using the TEG-S750. The switches are completely silent and no moving parts ensure a longer life. Because they are unmanaged, these switches offer unprecedented ease of use because they require no configuration.
TRENDnet TPE-TG380/TEG-S750: Pricing and Availability
The TPE-TG380 is an eight-port 2.5Gbit Ethernet switch with Power over Ethernet (PoE) capability that provides up to 100W. It is currently available at the special price of $266 (opens in new tab), 5% off the regular price. The TEG-S750 offers faster speed at 10G, but has only five ports and no PoE and is sold for $312 (opens in new tab), again with 5% discount. A 10G/2.5G six-port version is also available (TEG-S762) for $220.
TRENDnet TPE-TG380/TEG-S750: Design
The TRENDnet switch comes with a power adapter and four rubber feet as accessories. A quick installation guide and a safety message complete the package. The power adapter for the 10G switch is rated at 18W 12V, while the PoE-enabled switch has a 122W 55V block. The compact black anodized stainless steel case has all connections including power supply on the front panel.
The TEG-S750 10G switch has five Ethernet ports with two LEDs on top of each to indicate link speed and network activity. Two LEDs on the left show power and system status. The power connection is on the right. Text on top of the connectors describes the color code of the LEDs. This can be difficult to understand because the fonts are small.
The TPE-TG380 2.5G switch has a different layout than the 10G switch. First, it has an on/off switch, which can be useful if, for example, the DC plug is attached to a chassis and cannot be removed. Two LEDs show the power status and whether the PoE power has exceeded the 30W port limit or the combined 100W power budget. A dual-LED array shows the link speed, activity and PoE status of all eight ports. Finally, the outlet is on the left, next to the power switch.
The 10G switch has an internal bandwidth of 160 Gbps, which is more than the throughput of all five 10G ports. This should avoid bottlenecks on the switch, even in the worst case scenario. An 800MHz MIPS-34Kc CPU equipped with 256MB of DDR3 RAM provides both the switch’s application memory and a 2MB buffer. The 2.5G switch has an internal bandwidth of 40 Gbps that is twice the total port capacity. No data is available for the CPU or RAM of the TPE-TG380, but the performance should be comparable to that of the 10G switch.
TRENDnet TPE-TG380/TEG-S750: Features and Use
Both switches are easy to implement. The 2.5G switch can be mounted on the wall thanks to the holes on the bottom of the housing. This results in a closed position that hides the status LEDs. The 10G switch cannot be wall mounted and can only be placed flat on a surface.
The fanless design results in vents on the side and bottom of the case. The 10G switch with its five Ethernet ports is more than twice as heavy as the 2.5G switch with eight ports, which is explained by its massive heat sink. The 2.5G has a smaller heatsink that only covers the main ICs. The higher temperature of the 10G switch also affects the Mean Time Before Failure (MTBF), which is approximately 43 years. The 2.5G switch, on the other hand, presents an MTBF of 128 years.
The 2.5G switch can reach full speed at 100 meters with Cat5e cabling. Likewise, with a Cat6 cable, the 10G switch can reach full speed at 50m. Both switches are layer three devices and require either an ARP server for IPv4 or an NDP server for IPv6 and support automatic speed negotiation. They will be satisfied with the lower common speed between the two switching partners.
TRENDnet TPE-TG380/TEG-S750: Competition
Network switches are one of the most common devices available in a home office. Many manufacturers offer a variety of ports and functionality, such as SFPs for those who want fiber rather than copper or management, which dramatically increases the usability of the device. That said, an unmanaged switch remains very useful due to its simplicity and lower power consumption which saves on electricity.
The TP-Link TL-SX105 can be mistaken for TRENDnet’s 10G switch. They both have five 10G Ethernet ports and a black metal housing. But the similarities end here. The TL-SX105 is more expensive than the TEG-S750, consumes more power and has less switching capacity at 100 Gbps.
Unmanaged Ethernet switches that support both 2.5G and PoE are rarer. The Netgear MS510TXPP is an eight-port PoE switch that supports up to 10G. It is managed and costs about twice the price of the TRENDnet switch. It is also fan based and therefore will generate more noise while also having a lower MTBF.
TRENDnet TPE-TG380/TEG-S750: Final Verdict
The two switches discussed today cover different markets. The TPE-TG380 2.5G switch with PoE can be connected to devices such as 4K cameras, access points and NAS without reducing throughput. Its main advantage is scalability while being easy to use.
The TEG-S750 10G switch offers best-in-class throughput on a budget, but with fewer ports. Both switches have passive cooling that keeps the environment quiet while extending their life.
Equipped with great technology, they will get the job done while minimizing buyers’ remorse. In addition, TRENDnet offers good technical support, their products have a lifetime warranty in North America and three years elsewhere.
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