Cisco-Linksys EG008W Gigabit 8-Port Workgroup Switch

by Cisco

Product Details

Product Manual [213kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 7.8 x 2.5 inches ; 10.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00009KIYM
• Item model number: EG008W
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 7, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description If you need an affordable, versatile way to make lightning fast local network connections, the Linksys EG008W Gigabit 8-Port Workgroup Switch is the answer. Get blistering speeds of up to 2000 Mbps with this wired switch, which allows heavy users of multimedia, graphics, video, and other bandwidth-hungry applications to share and transfer large files with ease. Plus, thanks to the technology built into the EG008W you can mix clients that support slower, 10 or 100 Mbps speeds with those that run at full gigabit speeds -- without any speed loss. Simply put, the EG008W is the perfect solution for your desktop gigabit and 10/100 networking needs.

The EG008W features LED lights that keep you updated on the status and performance of the switch. View larger.

Eight auto-sensing ports allow you to use crossover or regular ethernet cables interchangeably. View larger.

With workstations that support Gigabit Ethernet networking, you'll see amazing speed increases over 10/100 Mbps networks. Connect your clients to the full-duplex ports and see your data traffic efficiency improve several times over. Dedicated bandwidth of up to 2000 Mbps can be attained with the EG008W, making it perfect for graphics, multimedia, and other applications that have to move large files across the network quickly.

A full array of LED indicators are provided on the front of the EG008W, giving you detailed information about the status and performance of the switch:

• Power: The power LED lights up when the switch is powered on.
• Link/Act: The Link/Act LED blinks when data is being sent or received through the port. When the LED is off, there is no data being transferred through the port.
• Speed: The speed LED blinks when that port is transmitting at 1000 Mbps. If the LED is not lit, the port is transmitting at 10 or 100 Mbps.
• FDX: If the FDX (Full Duplex/Collision) LED is lit up continuously, the connection made through the corresponding port is running in full duplex mode. If the LED is blinking, the port is experiencing data collisions. Infrequent collisions are normal. If this LED is blinking often, there may be a problem with your connection.

Amazing versatility is built into the EG008W. Simply install this switch in place of your current workgroup hub or switch, and you can network your high-requirement workstations with Gigabit Ethernet speeds, while continuing to service other clients at their current speeds. Or build your network from the ground up, and choose the link speeds that are right for each of the users on your network.

The EG008W is designed to integrate easily with your existing network and you can connect your existing 10/100 Ethernet network to your gigabit server backbone without any additional equipment. All ports on the EG008W are auto-negotiating, and they have automatic MDI/MDI-X crossover detection. This means that you no longer have to fuss with which type of cables you're using, as crossover and regular networking cables are automatically detected. Other advanced features include address learning and aging, as well as 802.3x flow control. Plus, head-of-line blocking prevention keeps your high-speed clients from bogging down in lower-speed traffic.

What's in the Box
EG008W Gigabit 8-Port Workgroup Switch, AC power adapter, registration card, and user guide

Product Description

Wire-speed switching and Linksys reliability in an 8-port Gigabit desktop switch The Gigabit 8-Port Workgroup Switch provides non-blocking, wire speed switching for your 10, 100, and 1000 megabit network clients. Drop this switch in place of your current workgroup hub or switch, and you can upgrade your high-requirement workstations to full Gigabit speeds as necessary, while continuing to service other clients at their current speeds. Or build your network from the ground up, with appropriate link speeds for each users requirements. Apply this switching power to your current hub-based Ethernet network, and your data traffic efficiency will improve several times over. Connect your Gigabit-equipped workstations to the Switchs 10/100/1000 ports for full-duplex, dedicated bandwidth of up to 2000Mbps Its perfect for graphics, multimedia, and other applications that have to move large files across the network quickly.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Latest version has no fan and new case, November 15, 2006

By 

weberm - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cisco-Linksys EG008W Gigabit 8-Port Workgroup Switch (Personal Computers)

Contrary to what many of the reviews say here, the latest version (3.0) of the switch has been redesigned without a fan. The switch is 100% silent. Also, the pictures on a lot of sites of the switch are old. To see the new case go to the linksys site.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Loud and lousy tech support, December 8, 2006

By 

S. Jacobs "eyegor" (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Cisco-Linksys EG008W Gigabit 8-Port Workgroup Switch (Personal Computers)

I purchased this switch in November 2005 and seemed to significantly improve my network throughput. I've been purchasing Linksys products for years and have never had any problems from any of them.

Like many I quickly found that the switches fan was quite loud. Since it was in a room with 5 or so computers, the noise didn't really bother me that much. The switch did its job and that's all I needed it to do.

Over the past few months, the fan has gotten progressively louder with a pleasing rattling noise as well. Obviously, the fan was approaching the end of it's sad little life. Then last week, the loud fan noise ceased. The sad little fan had breathed its last. When I touched the case, I was astonished how hot the switch was running. Obviously, something needed to happen. There was a very real chance of fire.

Now the real fun began.

Yesterday, I placed a call to Linksys' tech support. After waiting on hold for 45 minutes, I spoke with a tech support person (Let's call him 29845). I was given a case number that was supposed to allow me to return the unit. Sadly, the number was rejected as invalid by the RMA "support" web site.

Next, I tried their "live chat" "support" tool online. This time the wait was only 40 minutes and I spoke (typed?) with a very nice, but ineffective person (25174)who promised that I would be sent an email with a case number once I disconnected from the chat session. Of course, that number never came. Lovely. Another hour of my life gone.

The next morning, I called the Tech support line. Joy! They picked up right away. I spoke with a gentleman named 43406 who was very nice, but was obviously not a deep thinker. He thought that it was very important that I needed to tell him who my ISP was and what my OS was before he could consider the issue with my bad fan. After a while it became apparent that he was in over his head, he placed me on hold so he could consult with his manager. After about 20 minutes, he picked up again, made some noises that sounded like he was scratching himself with the receiver then hung up on me.

At this point, I was feeling very "special"...

I've never really ever had to deal with Linksys before for support issues. I'm not sure I have the constitution to ever try again.

Their products are generally pretty good. Since I usually never need tech support, I'm usually pretty happy with their products. This type of "support" is appallingly bad though. They've wasted a couple hours of my life and left me rather disgusted.

If you're willing to purchase any of their products, you should probably consider them throwaway items, because you're not likely to get ANY competent support from them.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars How to fix this LOUD Beast!, September 18, 2005

By 

copper_piping "copper_piping" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cisco-Linksys EG008W Gigabit 8-Port Workgroup Switch (Personal Computers)

This thing is so LOUD!!, it never should have been put on shelves for sale. Its absolutely atrocious! Its insane! Its horrible! Its a piece of cr*p for being so loud!! But there is a fix if you are a bit of a doit your selfer. Go to google and search for LinkSysGigabitFanFix.jpg. Follow at your own peril. I didn't put it together, but its too late to return mine and I thought this might help other poeople who are in the same boat.

Did I mention how LOUD it is!!!!!!!! No seriously!!!!! It will give you a headache if you're in the same room for extended periods of time. Its hella loud!!! If you don't believe me, you will regret it when you go buy this. But if you already have and its too late to return it. Check out the fix above. Which I did not author, but thought I'd pass along because its useful.