ASUSTOR Announces Switch-n-Stor, an Affordable 2.5GbE Unmanaged Switch for Home-Offices

[btarunr]

ASUSTOR Inc. today is proud to announce its first five port network switch named the Switch-n-Stor. The Switch-n-Stor uses Realtek 2.5 GbE controllers in addition to its fashionable enthusiast aesthetic. The Switch-n-Stor is efficient and combines well with any 2.5 GbE-enabled ASUSTOR NAS or 2.5 GbE-enabled computer. PC or NAS not compatible with 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet? Purchase an AS-U2.5G2 and plug it into a USB 3.2 port found on a NAS to easily upgrade a device to 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet and experience more than double the speed. The Switch-n-Stor is backwards compatible with Gigabit and 100-Megabit speeds, ensuring that it is compatible with almost any device, albeit at lower speeds, ensuring maximum seamlessness.

The Switch-n-Stor chassis design is made of metal. With both heat dissipation and a beautiful aesthetic, the Switch-n-Stor dissipates heat and does so while looking good. Take advantage of five 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet ports, each providing more than double the performance of traditional Gigabit Ethernet. The ASUSTOR Switch-n-Stor supports backwards compatibility, ensuring that almost any device will plug in seamlessly while Cat5e cables work flawlessly, saving you from unnecessary cable replacements.



The lightweight design of Switch-n-Stor weighs only 350 g, which is currently among the lightest five port 2.5 GbE unmanaged switch. This makes it convenient to place almost anywhere, especially on walls. The fanless design ensures total silence while effectively dissipating heat from the efficient Realtek controllers through the case and internal heatsinks to maintain optimal performance at all times.

Switch-n-Stor Specs:

• Controller: Realtek RTL8731+RTL8221B
• Ports: 5
• Management features: Unmanaged
• Speeds: 100/1000/2500
• Jumbo frame support: 12K
• Standards: IEEE 802.3 Ethernet, IEEE 802.3u (100BASE-T), IEEE 802.3ab,(1000BASE-T), IEEE 802.3bz (2.5GBase-T), IEEE 802.3x (Full-Duplex Flow Control)
• Total switching capacity : 25 Gbps
• MAC address table : 16K
• Total flow: 12.5 Gbps
• Packet buffer: 4.1 Mbit
• Packet forwarding rate: 18.6 Mpps
• Advanced features: IEEE 802.3X traffic management
• Transmission mode: Store and forward
• Maximum power consumption: 10 W
• Cooling: Fanless
• Dimensions: 90 mm x 140 mm x 28 mm

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[TheLostSwede]

US$129, so in line with the competition.

5-port 2.5GBase-T Unmanaged Switch

 

[Ferrum Master]

Where's the 10GbE counterpart like TP-LINK TL-SX105? Make some competition, to tame down the damn prices?

 

[TheLostSwede]

Where's the 10GbE counterpart like TP-LINK TL-SX105? Make some competition, to tame down the damn prices?

Still too expensive to make. Realtek apparently has a "low cost" multiport 10 Gbps switch IC that is good for five ports, but you still need the PHY bits, which are not low cost.

 

[Chrispy_]

More entrants to the 2.5G market is great, but there still aren't enough players to bring the costs of consumer switches down to mass-market yet - 2.5G Ethernet is still 10x the cost, per port, for only a 2.5x performance uplift.

 

[Ferrum Master]

Still too expensive to make. Realtek apparently has a "low cost" multiport 10 Gbps switch IC that is good for five ports, but you still need the PHY bits, which are not low cost.

Imho that is based on realtek too.

 

[TheLostSwede]

More entrants to the 2.5G market is great, but there still aren't enough players to bring the costs of consumer switches down to mass-market yet - 2.5G Ethernet is still 10x the cost, per port, for only a 2.5x performance uplift.

Give it some time, everyone wants to recuperate their R&D investment first. I think in a couple of years, we're going to be looking at $50 for something like this, if not sooner.

Imho that is based on realtek too.

This you mean? Yes, it says as much in the press release.

 

[Ferrum Master]

Give it some time, everyone wants to recuperate their R&D investment first. I think in a couple of years, we're going to be looking at $50 for something like this, if not sooner.


This you mean? Yes, it says as much in the press release.

I mean that TP-Link. Althou I may be incorrect about that.

 

[Valantar]

Is there anyone except Realtek making low-cost 2.5GbE hardware for switches? Either way, great to see more entrants here. I really need to get around to wiring up the apartment and buying one of these - using the NAS will be so much nicer then.

 

[TheLostSwede]

I mean that TP-Link. Althou I may be incorrect about that.

Right, not sure, but I would hazard a guess that all of the current 2.5 Gbps only switches, are all Realtek based.

Is there anyone except Realtek making low-cost 2.5GbE hardware for switches? Either way, great to see more entrants here. I really need to get around to wiring up the apartment and buying one of these - using the NAS will be so much nicer then.

Not sure, but Marvell and Broadcom do at least have PHYs/chips, so it's possible they have switches as well. Intel doesn't, even though they make PHYs/chips.
Obviously both Marvell and Broadcom has multi-gig stuff, but that's once again pricey.

I'm so happy I got a couple of Aquantia (now Marvell) cards back when they did a Black Friday special on them through Arrow. It really makes using a NAS no different from using a local drive.

 

[Makaveli]

US$129, so in line with the competition.

5-port 2.5GBase-T Unmanaged Switch

I would $pay $150-$180 is they switched it to intel from realtek

 

[TheLostSwede]

I would $pay $150-$180 is they switched it to intel from realtek

Intel doesn't make switch ICs though...

 

[dir_d]

When this switch comes out it should be popular. It is a little on the high side but its POE+ with 2x 10gig SFP

Switch Enterprise 8 PoE – Ubiquiti Inc.

store.ui.com

 

[TheLostSwede]

When this switch comes out it should be popular. It is a little on the high side but its POE+ with 2x 10gig SFP

Switch Enterprise 8 PoE – Ubiquiti Inc.

store.ui.com

Available only for Early Access users.​

Maybe take a screenshot?
Also, SFP/SFP+ isn't every consumer friendly.

 

[Valantar]

When this switch comes out it should be popular. It is a little on the high side but its POE+ with 2x 10gig SFP

Switch Enterprise 8 PoE – Ubiquiti Inc.

store.ui.com

Sounds very expensive. Not that SFP+ is that expensive (before you start adding transceivers), but PoE can certainly be, and I'm guessing it's managed as well? I'd be shocked if this was less than 2x the price of these unmanaged 2.5GbE switches.

 

[dir_d]

Sorry, guys here's a screen shot

 

[TheLostSwede]

Sorry, guys here's a screen shot

View attachment 217150

No doubt that would be handy in an office with PoE APs, but not sure if too many home users needs something like that, says the guy with 10Gbps Ethernet...

 

[Makaveli]

That POE switch would be something I would look at if I ever decided to move up in speed from my current 1Gbps fiber connection.

 

[stimpy88]

I'd never buy Realtek again after the experience I just had with my Asus board and it's Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet adaptor. It's a complete joke, with hardware and driver bugs that have never been solved.

After I bought an Intel 2.5 NIC, and an Intel based 2.5Gb switch, I've had no problems, no random disconnects ever since!

 

[Valantar]

Sorry, guys here's a screen shot

View attachment 217150

Lol, yeah, guess my pricing guess was indeed a best case scenario. That's pretty much as expected - 3x the price. Not quite serving the same market.