NETGEAR FS105 ProSafe 5-Port 10/100 Desktop Switch

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review




Switch provides unexpected benefit, November 21, 2008
By D. Sadowsky (Columbia, MD United States)
I bought the FS105 simply so that I could connect a TiVo to a wired network in a room with a single Ethernet port and a desktop that was already using that port.

Lo and behold, when I connected the switch the download speed on my desktop doubled. Overall system performance is now visibly faster, even in non-internet applications. Evidently the desktop had been using system resources needlessly processing Ethernet traffic, and the compartmentalization that the switch brought to my network eliminated this unnecessary processing.

It's great when a product actually does more than advertised.



Great product, November 16, 2008
By R. Manwill (Salt Lake City, UT)
My old hub died after six years of use, so I bought this to replace it. It was brain-dead simple to install and it works great.



Great product, October 30, 2008
By Donald Reid (Redwood City, CA)
This is a great product. Easy setup and it just works. Can't ask for any more than that.



Cool!, October 9, 2008
By Albert T. Walters (North Olmsted, OH USA)
I purchased this 5-port switch to replace an 8-port Belkin switch. I use the switch to provide additional ports for a Belkin Router. The Belkin Switch would become very hot, and subsequently cease to operate. The Netgear switch runs nice and cool, and keeps on tickin' The Netgear switch was very inexpensive and well worth the price (from Amazon)!!



Don't buy if you need an universal power supply, September 6, 2008
By benjasmine (Los Angeles, CA)
*This review may be irrelevant to many people, but it is important for those who need or might need a portable switch that can work around the world from 100V to 240V. Unfortunately, FS105 only works from 100V to 120V, unless you buy an extra universal power adapter on your own.

Other reviews have done a good job on reviewing the product, but I would like to raise an issue which nobody has mentioned --- it does not come with an universal power adapter. The power adapter can only accept 100V to 120V. *But* Netgear neither tell you this on the product box, nor in the official product specification on Netgear's website.

I urgently needed a small & portable switch for my trip overseas. I did some research and I found three options:
- Netgear FS105
- Linksys SD205
- Trendnet TE100-S5

All of them are 5-port switches and their sizes are compact. But they ALL have ONE problem: They don't tell you the "voltage range" they accept. This information is not listed in their product specification. Why? My first guess was that maybe they all come with universal power supplies, so they don't need to list it. But I was WRONG.

Since it was urgent, I decided to take a chance and bought the Netgear FS105. It was delivered to my house the night before I left for my trip. Since there is NO information regarding the "voltage range" on the product box nor on Netgear's website, I had to open the box. Then, of course it was a disappointment.

I guess the reason they don't list the "voltage range" in their specification is that it's easier for them to print and release the same specification around the world without modifying the specification accordingly.

For those who are looking for a portable switch with universal adapter:
Later, I found out that Linksys SD205 does NOT come with an universal power supply either. However, TRENDnet's technical support told me that TE100-S5 work from 110V to 220V. I believe there are some USB powered portable switches as well.

BTW, here is the specification on my FS105's power adapter.

Model: DSA-9R-05 AUS
Input: 100-120VAC 50/60Hz 0.3A
Output: 7.5V @ 1A


UPDATE:
This is a solid product. If it came with an universal AC adapter, then it would be perfect. Even my Linksys WRT54GL router has an universal AC adapter, and it is not a portable router...