Hardware ReviewsSMC EZ Switch 10/100 (SMC6308TX) SMC makes solid network gear and the EZ 8-port 10/100 Switch (their model SMC6308TX) is no exception. It wasn't the fastest switch we've tested (check out the Netgear FS308) and had a few minor inconveniences, but at a street price of about $125 (we found it for $124.95 + shipping) it is one of the least expensive 8-port switches we've seen. Read on. Overview
The SMC switch comes in a phonebook size box with a short feature list in six languages on the back. Inside the box, you'll find the switch, a power brick (a small black box that plugs into an AC outlet and then to the switch) some special extended feet that allow the switch to be stacked on other SMC devices and a short user guide. The guide provides only the most basic information and a very short troubleshooting section. We found no extra information on networking or typical equipment setups, as we have with other switches. The switch has a unique, curved top that helps cool the device without the need for a fan, which helps to lower the noise level. But we felt the curved design was inconvenient because it doesn't allow you to stack the switch with other (non-SMC) devices. SMC does integrate the curved top into a nifty oval front panel. The panel, covered in clear plastic, includes a power LED on the left and a double row of LEDs, one for each port, on the right. The top row of lights glows green with a 100Mbps connection and yellow with a 10Mbps connection. The same lights flash when data activity is detected on that port. The bottom row of lights glow green when the connection detected is full duplex. Our only issue is that LEDs are set back so far under the clear plastic panel that you have to look almost straight in to see when they are glowing. Since most people probably don't pay much attention to the LED lights on a switch, this isn't a big deal. However, if you like to monitor your home network by watching the switch lights, make sure you can position the SMC switch for a direct view. The back of the switch includes nine ports. The last one is the uplink port, allowing the switch to be connected to another switch or device, and can not be used at the same time as the regular port 8. Installation As with most Ethernet switches, installation was a breeze. We simply plugged in the power brick and connected Category 5 cables from our network computers into the ports on the back of the switch. Performance As usual, we ran a number of tests to determine the performance of the SMC switch. First, we used our standard file copy test to check performance with just two computers on the network. Each of our test computers used a D-Link DFE-530TX+ network card. (This is the same card used in the latest D-Link kit.) For this test, we copied a 30 meg file back and forth between the two. We used TCP/IP, IPX and NetBEUI in turn, making sure to remove the other protocols before each test. In the chart below, we compare the SMC switch to the recently reviewed Netgear FS308 switch. Since both test setups used the same computers and network cards, it's clear that the SMC switch falls behind just a bit. It's likely, however, that this difference would not be noticeable unless you really task your home network, perhaps in some intense LAN gaming.
Next, to test the true full-bandwidth performance of the switch, we used four computers connected to the switch. We copied two 30 meg files and two 13 meg files across the switch at the SAME time. This puts significant stress on the network and the switch. We ran the same test twice and averaged the results, shown below in seconds to complete all file copying. For comparison, we also show results for the D-Link DSS-5+ switch (part of the new DFE-910 kit) and the Netgear FS308 switch. In this test, the SMC switch appears to fall even further behind the competition. Again, it's not clear that this would reveal itself in day-to-day use.
Finally, we ran two subjective tests on the setup. First we played an AVI movie file across the 4 computer network. Specifically, we played an AVI located on the hard drive on one computer from another computer. We did that from all four computers on the network at the same time, again to test the full-bandwidth capability of the switch. With the SMC switch, all of the files ran smoothly. Second, we played a network game that requires a lot of data thrown back and forth between 4 machines. Again, using the SMC switch, the games ran smoothly. Technical Support SMC has extensive on-line technical support, including FAQs and driver downloads, as well as e-mail, fax, and phone support. Phone support is not only toll free, but also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As we've mentioned before, we don't have the resources to actually "test" how good that technical support is (phone hold times, etc.), but in a pure comparison this is probably some of the best tech support for inexpensive network gear. Summary Overall, the SMC EZ Switch is a solid home networking device. Yes, it's not the fastest or the most feature rich, but it is quite a bargain at its current street price. For those looking for a quiet (no cooling fan), inexpensive eight-port switch and who don't plan to stack anything on top of the switch nor mind the hard-to-see LEDs, this is a good choice. And, certainly, if having a person to talk to about troubleshooting issues is tops on your list, then the SMC 24/7 technical support toll-free line could very well be the primary reason to choose this switch. Grade = A- Details
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