Linksys 24-Port Managed Gigabit Ethernet Switch with 4 10G SFP+ Uplinks LGS328C

Works as advertised.

I write this as more of an obituary of sorts for my switch, which finally died this past month when a lightning bolt struck my home. The Linksys LGS328C is a full-featured managed network switch that I'd HOPED to have explored more of to give it the long in-depth review it deserved! unfortunately not meant to be. Before its untimely demise, it ran 24/7 serving my little home office, non-stop without issue or fuss. It was, for a managed switch, relatively plug and play. I really liked the management console having a web accessible interface (locally, not remotely that I know of), instead of needing an RS-232 connector. And it had plenty of ports! it was overkill for my home setup but that didn't matter to me. And as an aspiring techie professional, having a real deal Layer 2 device to dig into was very helpful for learning and practicing for exams. The switch, despite its size, is not heavy. It got warm but not crazy hot, and it wasn't horribly loud whether its fan ran or not. I truly wish I could've had this longer; I remember oogling over its SFP ports and wondering if I should get a few SFPs just to mess around with them! and all the menu options from trunking to VLAN config - you know, all the things you'd EXPECT in a business switch! My home office feels that much emptier without it - I prefer wired connections and this had made networking my separate computers together so much simpler. I was very happy with this network switch and while there are many others out there I plan to get it replaced. Maybe with an 8 port this time.

This doesn't take too long to boot up and was fairly easy to go in and configure. It didn't want to pickup an an IP at first and initially had disagreements with a VLAN I had setup through a different switch but I was able to get it sorted out. It's been running totally solid for a month now and can't say I have any complaints. I need to setup one of the SFP ports so I can take advantage of faster that gigabit internet speeds in my area but I haven't gotten that far yet. I'd like to see this compete a bit better on price compared to TP-Link but Linksys is always more expensive so I guess nothing unexpected there. But if you want to save money that's the route I'd recommend.

This switch has been a valuable addition to my network setup. With 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 4 10G SFP+ uplinks, it provides high-speed connectivity and versatility for my various networking needs. I appreciate its advanced network security features, including port authentication, DHCP snooping, and IP-MAC binding, which ensure that data flows only to authorized devices, enhancing the overall integrity of my network. The Quality of Service (QoS) traffic prioritization is particularly useful for me, as it allows me to prioritize real-time applications like voice and video calls, as well as handle bandwidth-intensive tasks such as large file transfers seamlessly. Additionally, the switch supports network expansion with features like Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and storm control, providing peace of mind when expanding my network.

remember to update the firmware before using (or at least check if there is an update). the 4 10G SFP+ uplinks provide lots of flexibility and some future proofing. also has advanced network security features, like port authentication and IP MAC binding to make sure data flows the way it should. quality of service traffic prioritization is also available if needed. using about 12 ports right now and have plenty for expansion. the management interface is easy to use. device is well made and pretty quiet. console port for easier configuration. color is nice too. will be buying some SFP+ to RJ45 adapters like: https://www.amazon.com/10Gtek-SFP-10G-T-S-Compatible-10GBase-T-Transceiver/dp/B01KFBFL16/