D-Link DGS-1100-05PDV2 5-Port PoE-Powered Smart Switch: specs and fit

The D-Link DGS-1100-05PDV2 is a small five-port Gigabit smart managed switch with an unusual trick: it is powered by Power over Ethernet (PoE) from another device, so it needs no power adapter of its own. It then passes PoE power on to up to two downstream devices. It is meant for places where you want to extend a network without running mains power to the spot.

What "PoE-powered" and "pass-through" mean

PoE sends electrical power over the same Ethernet cable that carries data. Many network switches, injectors, cameras and access points use it. D-Link says this model receives its power from an upstream PoE switch or PoE injector and does not need local AC power to operate.

It also supports PoE pass-through, which D-Link describes as propagating PoE power to one or two downstream devices. In practice, that means a single cable run from a PoE source can feed the switch and, through it, something like a camera or an access point. The listing is explicit that the two PoE ports require PoE power upstream. How many devices it can actually feed depends on what the upstream source supplies, so check the PoE power limits in the manual.

Ports and speed

There are five Gigabit ports in total, with two of them offering PoE downstream. Gigabit Ethernet is typically enough for most home and small-office devices, from computers and printers to cameras and access points.

Smart management features

"Smart managed" sits between an unmanaged switch, which just forwards traffic, and a fully managed one. D-Link lists these features:

• 802.1Q VLANs, which split one physical switch into separate virtual networks, for example to keep cameras away from office computers.
• QoS and bandwidth control, which let you prioritise or limit certain traffic.
• Static MAC, Storm Control and IGMP Snooping, which D-Link groups under security and traffic optimisation. Storm control limits runaway broadcast traffic, and IGMP snooping keeps multicast traffic from flooding every port.
• Loopback detection and cable diagnostics, which help locate wiring problems.

Management is through a web interface or a client-based utility, so you can configure it down to the port level from a browser.

Fanless and energy-efficient design

The switch has no fan, which D-Link says makes for silent, energy-efficient operation and a longer product life. It complies with IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet, which reduces power use when port traffic is low, and D-Link adds Link Status detection and its D-Link Green technology.

Size and mounting

It measures about 10.2 x 8.3 x 2.8 inches (26 x 21 x 7 cm) and weighs 0.5 lb (about 0.23 kg). It can sit on a desk or be wall-mounted. D-Link also lists NDAA compliance and a lifetime warranty with next-business-day hardware replacement; check the warranty terms for your region.

Who it suits

It suits small offices, shops and homes that need to extend a wired network into a spot with no nearby outlet, and anyone who wants VLANs or traffic controls without a large managed switch.

What to check before you buy

• A PoE source: you need an upstream PoE switch or injector, and the switch will not run without one.
• PoE power: confirm that the upstream device supplies enough power for the switch and the devices behind it.
• PoE standard: check that your downstream devices use a PoE standard the switch supports, as stated in the manual.
• Port count: only two of the five ports provide PoE.
• Management needs: confirm that the VLAN and QoS features cover what you plan to configure.
• Mounting: check the wall-mount hardware and cable routing for your space.

The short version

• A five-port Gigabit smart managed switch, powered by PoE rather than a power adapter.
• Two ports pass PoE on to downstream devices.
• 802.1Q VLANs, QoS, bandwidth control, storm control and IGMP snooping, managed through a web interface.
• Fanless, silent, 802.3az energy-efficient, desktop or wall mount.
• Lifetime warranty, per D-Link.

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