![Amazon Basics RJ45 CAT6 Ethernet LAN Patch Cable (3 m / 10 Feet) [1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps)] - 5 pack](https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61xk3SW+N6L._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg)
This is one of those items that I was hoping to buy cheap, plug in, make sure it was working and then forget about. I've been able to do exactly that. I bought it to give me a few wired ethernet connections behind my TV stand for my Xbox, Smart TV and Apple TV. To be fair, two of those devices already worked over my home WiFi, but for network stability and a solid connection, you can't beat a good ol' wire going into the back of something!
There are no ethernet cables provided with this switch, just a power cable, so you will need an ethernet cable for each device you want to connect. Once I had untangled three patch cables from my "magical box of tangled cables" ( I keep meaning to sort them out with colour-coordinated velcro straps, but that’s another story!), the switch was plugged in and working within 2 minutes of unboxing, which is exactly what I hoped for.
The plastic casing is obviously going to feel a little cheaper than the brushed metal look on the more expensive switches, but it feels well made, even if it is very light. It runs completely silently and uses little power, so you won't notice a surge in any electricity bills!
This device has some limits, which are worth knowing for someone with high needs, but for the average Joe like me, this is ideal. It has a 100Mbps limit, but this hasn't affected any of my TV or gaming habits. Technically, it claims to have 200Mbps full duplex, but I confess that this is where my brain starts to hurt, and I just have to pretend I understand. I **THINK** it means that the switch can run 100Mbps in both directions simultaneously but you won't get a 200Mbps streaming rate in one direction. In layman's terms: I have watched full HD (1080p) Netflix shows through this switch, without any buffering, on a broadband connection of under 60Mbps. I often wonder how many people benefit hugely from the 100Mbps+ range but the limit may be frustrating for someone who has splashed out on a broadband speed of 200Mbps.
So if you have paid out for a 200Mbps broadband, AND for Ultra HD content AND an Ultra HD TV, then I strongly advise you pay the extra for one of the TP-Link's "big brothers" with a Gigabit limit. However, if like me, you want a cheap little switch to add to your nest of cables tucked behind your poor old "1080p TV", this is perfectly fine. Plug it in, check it works, forget about it!
| Brand | TP-Link |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 10.35 x 6.95 x 2.2 cm; 181.44 Grams |
| Batteries | 1 Unknown batteries required. |
| Item model number | TL-SF1005D |
| Manufacturer | TP-Link Technologies Co., Ltd. |
| Series | 5-Port 10/100Mbps Desktop Switch |
| Colour | White |
| Processor Brand | ReferManual |
| Processor Count | 1 |
| Computer Memory Type | DDR3 SDRAM |
| Hard Drive Interface | ATA |
| Wireless Type | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Voltage | 220 Volts |
| Wattage | 2.2 watts |
| Power Source | AC |
| Hardware Platform | Refer_Manual |
| Are Batteries Included | No |
| Item Weight | 181 g |
