D-Link DGS-2208 8-Port 10/100/1000 Desktop Switch Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is an unmanaged switch, which means that you can not configure Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANS) or Quality of Service (QoS) - though QoS is supported through the implementation of 802.1p, but all the attached devices must support 802.1p in order to use it. Since there is no configuration, all you have to do is plug it into power and plug your devices into it. It really is that simple for any unmanaged switch. It will automatically allow all your devices to talk to each other at the physical layer. Of course, your applications must be configured right to talk to each other, but these unmanaged devices make building the infrastructure a snap.
In answer to a previously posted review, I tested this device in the following way:
-Port 1 connected to my desktop computer with a Gigabit network interface card (NIC)
-Port 2 connected to a 10/100 switch which was connected to a gigabit ethernet storage device
-Port 3 connected to a second DGS-2208 switch which was connectedto the exact same model gigabit ethernet storage device
-Port 4 connected to a laptop with a 10/100 NIC
The point of this setup was to use the identical computer communicating with identical devices through a 10/100 connection and through a gigabit (1000) connection. I transferred a 10 GB file to the ethernet storage device through the gigabit connection first and then I transferred the exact same file through the 10/100 connection. The GB connection was about five times faster.
Now, this proves that the switch does not automatically throttle back to the slowest "connected" device. However, it does not indicate whether the gigabit connections will slow to the speed of 10/100 connections if those slower connections are actually active.
To test this, I transferred the same file from the laptop to the slower connected ethernet storage device while also transferring the file from the desktop to the faster connected ethernet stoarage device. The results? The gigabit connected devices still transferred the data at rates faster than possible on a 10/100 connection. This proves that the gigabit speeds are still achieved even when a 10/100 connection is active.
In the end, due to memory and processor limitations, this device cannot even compare to enterprise-class gigabit switches from Cisco and other providers; however, it is the best performing gigabit switch I've ever seen for under $75.
[...]------------------------------------


Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link DGS-2208 8-Port 10/100/1000 Desktop Switch

Unmanaged Gigabit Switch, 8-Port 10/100/1000Mbps

Click here for more information about D-Link DGS-2208 8-Port 10/100/1000 Desktop Switch

Read More...

VTech IS9181 WiFi Internet Radio with Access to Online Content Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Imagine playing music directly from Japan while eating sushi in your dining room. Or playing Hawaiian music from Hawaii at your next luau. With this WiFi internet radio you can listen to music from all over the world and save your favorites with just a push of the "favorites" button. Then the next time you want to listen you can go directly the the "My Stations" list and choose one of your favorites. I have a classical station in Italy, an oldies station in France, a Celtic station in Ireland and some radio stations in the midwest that I grew up listening to in my favorites list. I also have a French news talk station to keep up on my French. In my video I'll show you how to make some of the internet radio selections and find your own favorite stations.
One of the other options is to listen to music from your computer on this device. The included manual gives simple instructions, with some photos, for setting up your computer so that you can connect via WiFi with this internet radio and play your favorite mp3's, WMA's, Real audio, MP4 and M4A files. There are instructions included for Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS 10.4 and 10.5. I've listened to music from both my Windows and Mac computers without any problem. And the good news is that it's easy to set up, even for a non geeky person. The internet radio is also simple to set up. When you turn it on for the first time it asks you if you want to set the time, weather setting (your zip code) and wireless settings. It looks for your WiFi network and asks you to enter your password. I used both the little dial on the top of the radio and the remote to make entering it faster.
I mentioned in my video review that you can use the RCA connectors on the back of the unit to connect to other speakers, such as your stereo speakers. The RCA connector cord isn't included with the radio. There is an auxiliary audio cable included to connect another device such as an mp3 player to this radio (audio in). If you wanted to connect earphones, like the type from an mp3 player I think an adapter like this would work 2 x RCA Male / 1 x 3.5mm Stereo Female, Y-Cable, 6 inch
The sound on the video is limited not only by the camera, but by the compression into a video small enough to show here. It sounds so much better in person. But I hope the video gives you an idea of the different menus and features.

Click Here to see more reviews about: VTech IS9181 WiFi Internet Radio with Access to Online Content

WiFi Streaming Music Device with Access to Online Content

Get 37% OFF

Click here for more information about VTech IS9181 WiFi Internet Radio with Access to Online Content

Read More...

D-Link DIR-855 Xtreme N Duo Dual Band Draft 802.11n Media Router Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)D-Link DIR-855 Xtreme N Duo Dualband Draft 802.11n Media Router
Per another customer, here's the differences in the Extremes:
The following will likely save you a couple of hours of research...
The DIR-655 is single-band (2.4GHz).
The DGL-4500 is dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz), however it only uses one band at a time. You choose which band, manually, in the configuration. It doesn't choose the best band in real-time, or anything like that.
The DIR-855 is dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) and uses both bands at the same time.

Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link DIR-855 Xtreme N Duo Dual Band Draft 802.11n Media Router

D-Link DIR-855 Xtreme N Duo Dual Band Draft 802.11n Media Router

Click here for more information about D-Link DIR-855 Xtreme N Duo Dual Band Draft 802.11n Media Router

Read More...