Advise: Choosing the Switches: Gigabit as well as Non-Gigabit?

[crashnburn]

Advise: Choosing the Switches: Gigabit as well as Non-Gigabit?

I appreciate all the inputs from Tim, Scotty and other names that I cant remember off the top of my head.

I am in final stages of trying to pick a switch.

At the high end, I am looking at the HP Pro Curve 1400-24G & 1800-24G after some strong recommendations by Scotty and others.

At the other end, I have bunch of options of cheaper 16-port Gigabit switches from other vendors - Some Unmanaged, Some SMART.

I am wondering given the "FEW" Gigabit devices I have, do I really need it. Well.. RIGHT NOW!!! I have a few GigE devices and remaining 10/100 devices and all of them end up being less than 16. In fact they barely get up to 8. I know the family will use WiFi a lot... except by ME or when streaming DVD Media.

PLUS:
I have a local guy willing to sell a Linksys Web / Smart Switch - 24 port 10/100 with 2 Gig ports (not sure if they are uplink only) for under 50$. (A steal if it makes sense).
It could be my temporary solution to take me through another year or so, until I get more Gigabit Devices... and later Gigabit Switch prices might fall. I could save $$$.

Do you think the Gigabit switch prices would fall more in the coming year or two?

Typically SMART ones are more expensive... but at the same time I am wondering if I really NEED the 1800-24G.. Its expensive at 330-350$.
BUT, none the less I'll buy it if the NEED is THERE.

The critical questions are:
1) Do I really need it? What do I really need?
2) If I really do get it "NOW" would I really derive any benefit?

I am attaching a list of my devices, locations & usage so that we can make that call.

PICASA ALBUM with fullsize Zoomable Images.
FULL SIZE IMAGES - CAN ZOOM IN:
http://picasaweb.google.com/AbhiGlobeTrotter/MediaNetwork/photo?authkey=fBw1U6n6fPs#5220566434434913138
http://picasaweb.google.com/AbhiGlobeTrotter/MediaNetwork/photo?authkey=fBw1U6n6fPs#5225986121636578482

3D DIAGRAM: FULL IMAGE - CAN ZOOM IN:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/AbhiGlobeTrotter/SHMtgyrSE3I/AAAAAAAAAGg/EM46r7v_AN8/s144/Media%20Setup%209%2001.gif

NETWORK DEVICES & PORT TYPE LIST: FULL IMAGE - CAN ZOOM IN:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/AbhiGlobeTrotter/SIZusG1FBLI/AAAAAAAAAHk/01W6WZmAvW4/s144/Network%20Port%20Count%20and%20Usage.GIF

ORIGINAL THREAD DESCRIBING ENTIRE HOME MEDIA SETUP.

http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=140

I am the GEEK of the family, so everyone else is a casual user. But I am hoping & guessing that the Media Streaming via XBOX XBMC is going to make them use the DIGITAL MEDIA more (DVD ISOs, Movies etc on the NAS).

[zx10guy]

You can get a Dell PowerConnect 2724 for $269. Or you can get a Netgear GS724T for $294 at NewEgg. I've worked with both the Dell and the Netgear Smart/Web switches extensively. The Dell I have is a 2708 which has been running reliably for about 4 or so years now. The only issue I've had with the Dell is its issues with working with an Etherchannel/LACP aggregated link setup. My company just purchased a Dell 2748 and I'll be interested to see if this switch also has the same issues.

I also just purchased for my home a Netgear GS748TP. It replaced to old Netgear FS526T switches. I had some quirky issues with the FS526Ts and was a bit hessitant in buying another Netgear Smart switch. But I can honestly say that the GS748TP was a very pleasant surprise. Not only was the setup rather pain free, it had a lot of unexpected features like layer 2 based ACLs, greater flexibility with configuring spanning tree, etc, etc. I haven't had the time to explore other features of the switch yet. The Etherchannel connection I set up between the GS748TP and my Cisco 2960G switch was also painless. Everything just works.

[crashnburn]

You can get a Dell PowerConnect 2724 for $269. Or you can get a Netgear GS724T for $294 at NewEgg. I've worked with both the Dell and the Netgear Smart/Web switches extensively. The Dell I have is a 2708 which has been running reliably for about 4 or so years now. The only issue I've had with the Dell is its issues with working with an Etherchannel/LACP aggregated link setup. My company just purchased a Dell 2748 and I'll be interested to see if this switch also has the same issues.

I also just purchased for my home a Netgear GS748TP. It replaced to old Netgear FS526T switches. I had some quirky issues with the FS526Ts and was a bit hessitant in buying another Netgear Smart switch. But I can honestly say that the GS748TP was a very pleasant surprise. Not only was the setup rather pain free, it had a lot of unexpected features like layer 2 based ACLs, greater flexibility with configuring spanning tree, etc, etc. I haven't had the time to explore other features of the switch yet. The Etherchannel connection I set up between the GS748TP and my Cisco 2960G switch was also painless. Everything just works.

You got a 1369$ switch for your home set up. I'd like to hear about your Home Media Network - More like see the setup in another THREAD. A little show & tell.

PS: I dont think I want to spend that much / need that much. Gulp!

I guess my high point is the HP ProCurve 1800-24G.

I am wondering if I really need it / I can use this TEMP solution.

[zx10guy]

You got a 1369$ switch for your home set up. I'd like to hear about your Home Media Network - More like see the setup in another THREAD. A little show & tell.

PS: I dont think I want to spend that much / need that much. Gulp!

I guess my high point is the HP ProCurve 1800-24G.

I am wondering if I really need it / I can use this TEMP solution.

LOL.

Well, the Netgear GS748TP is a pretty expensive switch. But it's far from the most expensive device in my home network. I have a bunch of other Cisco gear that I've used as part of my home "production" network and part being used as a lab/test environment. I'm a network engineer by profession so I'm constantly tinkering.

Don't know if I just want to start a thread talking about my network. If you would like, I can list the components I have and post up a pick of my network rack.

Anyways, with the price of the Dell or the even the bit more expensive GS724T, stepping up to GigE isn't too much of a big difference.

[crashnburn]

Network Engineeer :) No wonder these are your Toys. I bet you have CCNA. Almost went down that track several years ago.