[dannyn]

What is the advantage of getting a Netgear smart switch vs. a regular Netgear switch.
Thanks!

[zx10guy]

The smart switches are their managed switches with a web interface. It allows you to do things like set up VLANs, Aggregated Links, QoS, etc, etc. Stuff that a regular switch won't have.

ETA: Keep in mind, the smart switches don't have the ability for you to console, SSH, or Telnet into the switch.

[dannyn]

Does it have vpn?
You can't ssh to a regular switch though, right?

[zx10guy]

No VPNs. VPNs are strictly a router and firewall feature.

And yes, you can't SSH into a regular switch. A regular switch is for all intents and purposes a dumb device.

[dannyn]

Can you turn off the smart part of the switch and make it a "dumb device"?

[zx10guy]

On the Netgear Smart switches. No. But when you get one out of the box with the factory defaults, it's almost like a dumb switch. There's really not much set on these things from the factory. All the ports will belong to VLAN 1 and the default IP address is something like 192.168.0.239.

If you truely want a smart switch which you can make into a real dumb switch, look at the Dell PowerConnect web managed switches. I have one myself. It's the 2708. Small 8 port GigE switch. There's a recessed pinhole button on the front of the switch which toggles the management mode of the switch.

[dannyn]

I want to buy the netgear one beacuse I get a free ipod nano.

[zx10guy]

Yep. I didn't buy my Netgear GS748TP switch for the promo. But it was nice to get the 8 GB Touch. I was surprised it didn't take that long for me to get the Touch either. I was also surprised it was the latest updated version 1.x one. The one prior to the now current ver. 2. Oh and Netgear had their logo printed on the back of my Touch. No biggie.

[dannyn]

Where did you get the touch? Id rather have that.

[zx10guy]

To get the Touch under the Netgear promo, you have to buy certain model switches. The switches in question the last time I looked seemed to be the ones starting at around $600-800 and went up from there. I paid about $1200 for my switch. I did a search and it seems the promo I got my Touch under has changed. I'll see if I can dig up a copy of the rebate PDF.

[dannyn]

Don't worry about it. I am just using it at my house, and I really don't need a 600$ switch.
Thanks for all of the information.