D-Link DGS-1016D 16-Port Gigabit Switch: features, specs and who it suits

The D-Link DGS-1016D is an unmanaged Ethernet switch with 16 Gigabit ports. It turns one wired connection into many, so a home office, small business or workshop can plug in computers, printers, network storage and access points without running out of sockets. It needs no setup: you plug it in and connect your devices.

What a 16-port Gigabit unmanaged switch does

A switch passes data between the devices connected to it. Each port on the DGS-1016D handles Gigabit Ethernet, and D-Link says each port also accepts Fast Ethernet and standard Ethernet devices, so older equipment can share the network with newer gear. "Unmanaged" means there is no menu, web page or software to configure. The switch works out where to send traffic by itself.

Gigabit speed is 1,000 Mbit/s per port. That is the ceiling for each connection, and real transfer speeds also depend on the cables, the devices and the network's uplink to the router.

Flow control, storm control and port isolation

D-Link lists three traffic features. Flow control lets a busy device ask its sender to pause briefly, which can reduce lost packets. Storm control limits floods of broadcast traffic, which can slow a network when a device misbehaves. Port isolation keeps ports from talking to each other directly. D-Link says these help reduce packet loss and limit the effect of rogue software. They are basic protections, not a replacement for a firewall or security software.

Fanless metal case

The case is metal and the design is fanless, so there is no fan noise. D-Link says this gives good heat dissipation while keeping operation silent. That makes it easier to place in a quiet room. It measures about 10.9 x 5.0 x 1.7 inches (roughly 28 x 13 x 4 cm) and weighs 2.4 lb (about 1.1 kg). D-Link describes it as desktop or rack mountable, and the series as wall-mountable. Leave some space around it for air to move.

Power-saving features

Two features cut power use. Link status detection powers down ports with nothing connected. Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE) reduces power use when little data is moving. D-Link also says the switch is RoHS compliant and uses recyclable packaging.

Warranty and who it suits

D-Link backs the DGS-1016D with Limited Lifetime Coverage and mentions more than 35 years of building networks. Check the warranty terms for your region.

It suits small offices, home offices and workshops that need more wired ports and don't want to manage a network. Because it is unmanaged, it has no VLANs, no traffic monitoring and no remote settings. Anyone needing those should look at managed switches.

What to check before you buy

• Port count: count your wired devices now and allow a few spare ports.
• Speed needs: Gigabit is plenty for most uses, but multi-Gigabit devices will be limited to 1,000 Mbit/s here.
• Power over Ethernet: the listing doesn't mention PoE, so devices that need power through the cable will need their own supply.
• Placement: decide on desktop, wall or rack mounting, and check what mounting hardware is in the box.
• Cabling: use Cat5e or better cables to reach Gigabit speeds.
• Uplink: connect one port to your router or modem; all other devices share that link to the internet.

The short version

• A 16-port Gigabit unmanaged switch, model DGS-1016D.
• Plug-and-play: no software or configuration.
• Fanless metal case for silent operation; desktop, rack or wall mounting.
• Flow control, storm control and port isolation, plus EEE and port power-down.
• Limited Lifetime Coverage, as D-Link states it.

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