NETGEAR GS308P 8-Port Gigabit PoE Switch: features, specs and who it suits

The NETGEAR GS308P is a small desktop network switch with eight Gigabit Ethernet ports, four of which supply Power over Ethernet (PoE). It lets one cable carry both data and power to devices such as IP cameras, wireless access points and VoIP phones. It is unmanaged, so there is nothing to configure.

Eight Gigabit ports

Each of the eight ports runs at up to 1 Gbps, and the listing describes them as 10/100/1000, meaning older slower devices can connect too. A switch like this expands a single network connection into several, so a router with few ports, or a home office with a PC, printer, network storage and cameras, can share one link. The listing's "hub" and "splitter" wording is loose: a switch sends traffic only to the port that needs it.

What PoE does

Power over Ethernet sends electrical power along the network cable. A PoE camera or access point then needs no separate power adapter or nearby outlet, which simplifies installation. The GS308P has four PoE ports, and the total power it can supply across them is the PoE power limit. NETGEAR's listing gives it as 53W in one place and 55W in another, so check the product label or datasheet for the exact figure. Compare that total with the combined needs of the devices you plan to power. The four non-PoE ports carry data only.

Plug and play

The switch is unmanaged, with no software to install and no setup needed. You connect cables and it works. The trade-off is that unmanaged switches typically lack features such as VLANs, traffic prioritisation or remote monitoring, which people with larger or more complex networks sometimes need.

Fanless, metal housing

The case is sturdy metal and has no fan, so NETGEAR says it adds no noise. That suits a quiet office, bedroom or living space. Fanless devices rely on passive cooling, so leave some space around the vents as the manual describes. You can place it on a desk or mount it on a wall.

Efficiency and warranty

NETGEAR says the design saves power, and that most of its models comply with IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet, which lowers consumption during idle periods. It also states a three-year limited hardware warranty. The switch measures about 6.2 x 4.0 x 1.1 inches and weighs 1 lb.

Who it suits

It suits home offices, small businesses and households that want to add a few wired devices, particularly PoE cameras or access points, without buying a separate power injector for each.

What to check before you buy

• PoE needs: add up the wattage of the devices you plan to power and compare it with that limit.
• Device standards: confirm your devices support standard PoE (IEEE 802.3af/at) as described in their manuals.
• Cable runs: Ethernet cables typically work up to about 100 metres.
• Management features: if you need VLANs or monitoring, an unmanaged switch won't offer them.
• Placement: check where it will sit and how the wall-mount option works.

The short version

• Unmanaged 8-port Gigabit switch with four PoE ports.
• Fanless metal housing, silent in operation.
• Plug and play, desktop or wall mount.
• Three-year limited hardware warranty.
• Small: about 6.2 x 4.0 x 1.1 inches and 1 lb.

Bloiq is reader-supported. Some links may earn us a commission; it never affects what we write. How we make money.