Buffalo Releases LXW-10G2/2G4 Switch: Two 10 GbE + Four 2.5 GbE Ports
by Anton Shilov on November 13, 2019 5:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Networking
- 10G Ethernet
- Buffalo
- Switch
- Ethernet
- 2.5 GbE
One of the big reasons for why faster-than-GbE networks have not gained traction in the consumer space is due to a lack of appropriate network switches. 10 GbE switches are generally aimed at businesses, and they are priced accordingly. Fortunately, the situation is beginning to change. Buffalo Japan has introduced its new six-port switch featuring two 10 GbE ports and four 2.5 GbE ports that is designed for home use.
Buffalo’s LXW-10G2/2G4 Giga Switch is aimed at homes with a high-speed optical Internet connectivity as well as multiple computers or NAS with 2.5 GbE or 10 GbE network adapters and/or Gigabit-class Wi-Fi. The switch can automatically prioritize 10 GbE connectivity and also supports loop detection to optimize a network’s configuration and performance. Besides the switch, Buffalo also offers its WXR-5950AX12 10G Wi-Fi router as well as LUA-U3-A2G 2.5 GbE USB adapter for PCs.
Buffalo’s LXW-10G2/2G4 switch will be available starting from mid-December exclusively in Japan, but nothing stops the company to start sales of the product elsewhere. The price of the switch will be approximately ¥34,000 including taxes ($312 with VAT, $283 w/o VAT), which is quite expensive even by Japanese standards. Though at least for the time being, it's a rather unique offering in the consumer switch space; similar switches with a mix of ports have generally combined 10 GbE with pure GbE, so the use of 2.5 GbE ports makes for an interesting development.
Related Reading:
- Realtek 2.5 GbE PCIe Cards Now For Sale
- Intel Quietly Mentions 2.5 GbE Ethernet Controllers
- Netgear Expands Insight-Supported Network Switch Lineup
- GIGABYTE’s GC-AQC107 10G Ethernet PCIe Card Launched and Listed
- Aquantia Multi-Gig: Single Chip USB 3.0 to 5G/2.5G Dongles Coming Soon
- ASUS Launches XG-C100C 10 GBase-T Adapter: Aquantia AQC107, $99
Source: Buffalo Japan (via PC Watch, Hermitage Akihabara)
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sor - Thursday, November 14, 2019 - link
But that’s the point. They’re both expensive. Once you compare apples to apples and factor in transceivers or copper twinax cables the cheap SFP switches are more comparable to the 10gbaseT.khanikun - Monday, November 18, 2019 - link
Huh? It's SFP+, as in, you can buy different modules. You can just buy a 10G SFP+ to RJ45 modules. There's no need to buy modules for both sides nor use direct attach cables. Just have modules in the switch.As long as you network is cat-6a (or higher) and the devices have copper 10G nics, you're fine. If not, you were stuck having to upgrade everything anyways.
mooninite - Thursday, November 14, 2019 - link
Please stop suggesting that people buy a SFP switch. It is *not* a solution. Just stop. The two people that have replied to you already have the reasons why your logic is flawed.I'm tired of seeing these type of replies. Especially those that say "go on eBay and buy a switch!" -- yeah, they are 24+ port switches that are 1) physically huge and 2) noisy as an airplane.
Jorgp2 - Thursday, November 14, 2019 - link
Lol.You do realize desktop switches are garbage right?
They only really work if you only want internet to one room.
Only old Enterprise 10G switches are loud and large.
You can buy new prosumer 10g switches that are passively cooled with SFP+
azazel1024 - Friday, November 15, 2019 - link
I'd be willing to go about $150 with the understanding that in a few years it would probably be replaced with a 24 port switch with all ports at 2.5GbE or 5GbE. Today, not at near $300 when again, I'd probably be replacing it in 3-4 years.I don't NEED 2.5GbE or faster, but I can absolutely leverage that speed and I'd like it. Just not like it and want it enough to put out about $500 between the switch and a pair of NICs (one of my server and one for my desktop) and have a little room for near term future proofing for maybe an 802.11ax router and a WAP with 2.5GbE ports.
If my total out the door cost was more like $250 (switch and two NICs)...I could probably justify that to myself between a desire for speed and the times I'd be saving maybe a minute or three waiting for some large files to finish transferring between my desktop and server. That and when I need to restore one of the machines from the other one shaving an hour or two off that process that once a year I manage to bork something and need to do that (its been 19 months since the last time...I am sure I'll screw the pooch soon).
khanikun - Monday, November 18, 2019 - link
MikroTik switch, four 10G SFP+ ports and one Gig-E port. $130 Amazon.Intel X520-DA1 10G nic. $41.16 Amazon.
10Gtek 10G SFP+ DAC cable 1 meter for $16.99 Amazon.
2 meters for $17.99.
3 meters for $20.99.
4 meters for $27.99.
That'd come out to $246.30 for the switch and being able to connect 2 computers to the switch using 1 meter cable. This is the solution I went with, but for 3 computers using 1 meter cable.
abufrejoval - Wednesday, November 13, 2019 - link
The switch situation is nowhere near as dire as you make it sound any more.The first affordable NBase-T switch (1/2.5/5/10Gbase-T on all ports) I found, was the BUFFALO BS-MP2012 at €50/port retail in Germany including 19% VAT/sales tax.
That one was plagued by two rather noisy fans, noisy mostly because the motor speed was regulated not via voltage but timed pulses, which basically turns these fans into a vibratior: Better for reliability and dust resilience, but unsuitable for human cohabitation.
So following up on a tip from STH, I swapped the fans with Noctuas of similar size now running at constant yet inaudible speed, but that kills warranty, insurance and quite possibly yourself. The switch has been doing just fine for something like two years as my home-lab's core switch, never worse than warm to the touch.
But I recently added another recent model from NetGear, the XS508M 8-port NBase-T switch at just below €50/port (€370 total with tax) and that one is near silent from the factory: Yes it has a fan, but I have to put my ear right next to it to hear any sound: Nothing you'd notice even from arm's length.
It has siblings with higher port counts in the same chassis, but due to the higher power consumption of the PHYs, their specifications quote nigher (maximum?) noise, whereas the 8-port model had desktop office use written into its design specifications, even if it comes with a rack-mount kit.
One potentially significant advantage may be that one of the ports is dual 1/10Gbase-T and SFP+ for both direct connect or optical uplinks.
I can fully recommend that as a replacement for a similar unmanaged Gbit desktop switch.
Valantar - Thursday, November 14, 2019 - link
€50/port is still massively expensive. As such, yes, the switch situation is indeed still dire. Also, 5-8-port switches are dramatically more useful than >=16-port switches. 10GbE shouldn't cost 10x GbE, let alone 20x like you're describing. And needing to swap out fans and void the warranty makes your solution a no-go for even most enthusiasts. Even if a switch is unlikely to fail, I really wouldn't want to void the warranty on a €600 piece of essential home infrastructure...nevcairiel - Thursday, November 14, 2019 - link
His actual final solution was to suggest the Netgear ProSAFE XS500M line, which was silent ouf ot the box. Its the switch (8 port variant) I am considering myself to connect key equipment up to faster network, while leaving my HP Gbit switch up for less important devices.name99 - Thursday, November 14, 2019 - link
Still physically much larger than one would like in a home.OK in a server closet; less ideal sitting on a desk.