NETGEAR MS308 8-port 2.5G unmanaged switch: features and who it suits

The NETGEAR MS308 is an unmanaged network switch with eight Ethernet ports, each running at up to 2.5 gigabits per second. It adds wired connections to a home or small office network and removes the software side completely: you plug it in and it works. It is for people who have devices with 2.5 Gb ports and want a switch to match.

What multi-gigabit means

Ordinary gigabit Ethernet runs at up to 1 Gbps. Multi-gigabit ports, listed here as 1G/2.5G, detect what the connected device supports and run at 1 Gbps or 2.5 Gbps. Many recent motherboards, mini PCs, network storage units and WiFi access points include a 2.5 Gb port, and this speed typically runs over standard Cat5e cabling at ordinary home and office lengths, so you often do not need to rewire. Devices with only gigabit ports still connect and run at 1 Gbps. The final speed of any link depends on both ends and the cable between them.

Plug and play

NETGEAR describes setup as simple, with no software to install and no configuration needed. An unmanaged switch learns which device sits on which port and passes traffic along. The trade-off is that there are no settings for VLANs, traffic priorities or monitoring. If you need those, a smart or managed model is the more typical choice.

Quiet operation and efficiency

NETGEAR lists quiet operation, which matters if the switch sits in a living space or home office. The design is energy efficient and compliant with IEEE 802.3az, the Energy-Efficient Ethernet standard. In general, this allows ports to lower power use when they are idle.

Mounting and warranty

You can put it on a desk or shelf, or mount it on a wall. NETGEAR says the hardware warranty runs for three years and calls it industry-leading. The listing doesn't give dimensions or weight, so consult the manual if the space where it will sit is tight. It is also marked as made for use in the U.S. and Canada only.

Who it suits

It suits a household or small office that has several 2.5 Gb devices, such as a desktop PC, network storage and a wireless access point, and wants them to talk to each other at full speed without configuring anything. It is not designed to power devices over the Ethernet cable; the listing makes no mention of Power over Ethernet.

What to check before you buy

• Your devices: check which of them have 2.5 Gb ports, as the extra speed only applies between those.
• Router connection: the link to your router needs to be 2.5 Gbps, too, for fast internet-side transfers.
• Cabling: Cat5e or better is typical for 2.5 Gbps; look up the maximum length in the manual.
• Features: it is unmanaged, with no VLAN or priority settings.
• Power: it does not supply Power over Ethernet, so devices need their own power.
• Region: it is intended for use in the U.S. and Canada only.

The short version

• An unmanaged switch with eight 1G/2.5G multi-gigabit Ethernet ports.
• Simple plug-and-play setup with no software to install.
• Quiet operation and an energy-efficient design to IEEE 802.3az.
• Desktop or wall mounting, with a three-year limited warranty.
• Made for use in the U.S. and Canada only.

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