CiscoCatalyst 1200-8P-E-2G Smart Switch, 8 Port GE, PoE, Ext PS, 2x1GE Combo, Limited Lifetime Protection (C1200-8P-E-2G)

The web management interface and feature set are very good, and the device worked without issue from day one. It was relatively easy to set up LAG and VLANs on the switch and synchronize device time to my Netgate box, which can act as an NTP server for local hosts and appliances. It also works fine with my PoE IP cameras. I had to upgrade the firmware, which went well, and no problems using my 10Gtek 1.25G SFP DAC cables for my LAG setup. Overall, I like this switch for its good design and what I need in my environment; to support a few virtual networks.

Most of the features you see in the CCNA practice can be used here in this little switch. There's some enterprise level stuff that you can't do but honestly if you're at that level you aren't looking for this switch anyway.It's cisco so it's not plug and play/ready out of the box. But it's great if you have a specific setup you're trying to implement and only need a few ports. Highly recommend

To start, don't buy this switch if you need something reliable with an actual warranty. When I first got the switch I was fairly impressed by the features for the price I paid. I even recommended it to some friends (none of them got the 120W PoE version that I did). However, after having issues with the power supply and talking with "Cisco Small Business Support", I would never recommend these switches to anyone again.After only 4 months of service indoors, in a room that is kept at 73F or lower, the PSU started to simply stop providing power to the switch at random. Disconnecting and reconnecting the switch from the PSU would have no effect. If I disconnect the mains power and reconnect it the switch would boot back up normally and stay operating for (at first) a few days to as low as a few hours. The duration it stays operational continues to reduce.I opened a ticket with Cisco thinking "well I have that lifetime warranty, no problem". The rep I spoke to told me two very critical pieces of information. First, there is no way for them to send me a new PSU. It is literally not an option in their system as the PSU isn't a separate SKU for these things. Second, if they send me an RMA switch it may not even come with a PSU. How did anyone think this was ok? PSUs are what usually will fail on switches which is one of the reasons why proper enterprise hardware has dual PSUs. To not even have a way to guarantee a customer will get warranty support if their PSU fails tells me that nobody at Cisco took this product line seriously.I've had the ticket open now for a week and no word on them even trying to ship me a new switch with HOPEFULLY a new PSU in the box, but maybe not. I've use a lot of different networking hardware over my 19+ years in the industry, all the way up to boxes that cost over $1mil each. I know what quality enterprise hardware looks like from Cisco and other brands. This is not even close. This should not be called business class. Don't buy this.

everything was perfect

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The Cisco CBS250-8FP-E-2G smart switch combines the management features found on enterprise level, with an intuitive and easy to use web interface like that typically found on consumer grade products. The result? A managed switch that is exceptionally easy to install, use, and configure, and that provides all the network customization bells and whistles you want from a managed switch.This switch is classified as a Layer2/Layer3 (basic) switch according to the official Cisco documentation. The switch I ordered features 8 gigabit PoE ports supplying up to a total of 67 watts, 2 gigabit uplink ports, and an additional 2 gigabit SFP copper/fiber combo ports. The front panel also features three different console port options - traditional RJ45, USB, and a miniUSB port. The switch arrives with rack mounting ears and hardware, as well as the external power supply needed to power the unit. No idea if there is a fan - but if there is, I have yet to hear it.Functionality and management features should suffice for SOHO, home lab builders, CCNA students, and home networking gurus. The CBS250 line of switches offers full management capabilities, save for advanced security features and dynamic IP routing which are made available in the CBS350 models which run about $50 more. Chances are you'll be very well served without the advanced layer 3 functionality in this switch.The switch works right out of the box if for some reason you don't feel like managing and configuring a managed switch, so I guess its technically plug and play. But if you're looking at this bad boy then I'm guessing you like getting involved with your networking configuration. The CBS250 offers two different management interfaces - a traditional command line interface via the console port(s) (there's three!), or a streamlined and surprisingly user-friendly web interface.To access the web portal for the initial setup and configuration, all you need to do is find out what the IP address is that was given to the switch by your router, and just type into your web browser's address bar. You'll be prompted to login with the default account credentials (cisco:cisco), after which you'll be asked to change them to something more secure. Once logged in, you're presented with the management dashboard. The menu is on the left, and I found it to be very easy to navigate even though it was my first time using it.The web dashboard offers the ability to create and manage VLANS, label individual ethernet ports, link aggregation, and stuff like PoE statistics for your connected devices. The switch supports defining ACLs. You can define static routes and tag VLANS using MAC, IP, etc. The management features made available via the web portal are extensive.If however, you prefer setup and configure via the console interface you'll find the commands similar to Cisco enterprise level switch, save for a few minor differences. Cisco published a 1000 page Command Reference Guide exclusive to the CBS250 line of switches which details everything you need to know to be able to skip the web portal entirely and do all your configuration via the console.BOTTOM LINE:This switch really surprised me with its intuitive web interface and the wide array of Layer2 and Layer3 management features that are made available. While it may not have all the advanced functionality and security features you'll find on enterprise level gear, for around $250 you're getting a very powerful piece of kit that will let you properly manage your network. Great price for how much you're getting here - and with no pesky signups or trials to deal with! Excellent.

This unit had no rack mounting hardware and had a special twist plug instead of standard.Switch itself was fine...but be aware of what is or is not in the box.