Review on 💼 Cisco Business CBS250-8FP-E-2G: Advanced Smart Switch with 8 Port GE and Full PoE, Enhanced by Limited Lifetime Protection by Nathan Ortiz

The Cisco CBS250-8FP-E-2G Smart Switch combines enterprise-class management features with an intuitive, easy-to-use web interface typically found in consumer products. Result? A managed switch that's exceptionally easy to install, use and configure, with all the networking options you've come to expect from a managed switch. Documentation. The switch I ordered has 8 gigabit PoE ports up to a total power of 67W, 2 gigabit upstream ports and 2 additional gigabit copper/fiber combo SFP ports. There are also three different console port options on the front panel - traditional RJ45, USB and a miniUSB port. The switch comes with rack ears and hardware, as well as an external power supply to power the device. I have no idea if there is a fan, but if there is, I have yet to hear about it. The functionality and management features should be enough for SOHOs, home lab builders, CCNA students, and home networking gurus. The CBS250 series switches offer all of the management features except for the advanced security features and dynamic IP routing available on the CBS350 models, which cost 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'm guessing it's technically a plugin. and game. But if you're looking at this bad boy, I'm assuming you enjoy meddling in your network setup. The CBS250 offers two different management interfaces - a traditional command line interface via the console port(s) (there are three of them!) or a streamlined and surprisingly user-friendly web interface. To access the web portal for initial setup and configuration, all you need to do is find out what IP address the switch has been assigned by your router and simply type that into your web browser's address bar. You will be prompted to sign in with the default credentials (cisco:cisco) and then prompted to change them to more secure ones. After logging in, you will be presented with a control panel. The menu is on the left and I found it very easy to navigate even though it's my first time using it. The web panel provides the ability to create and manage VLANs, label individual Ethernet ports, perform link aggregation, etc. PoE statistics for your connected devices. The switch supports ACL definition. You can define static routes and tag VLANs with MAC, IP, etc. The management functions available through the web portal are extensive. However, if you prefer configuration and configuration through the console interface, you will find commands similar to the Cisco enterprise level. switch, except for a few small differences. Cisco has released a 1,000-page command reference guide exclusively for the CBS250 switch family that includes everything you need to know to skip the web portal entirely and do all configuration from the console. an intuitive web interface and a wide range of available Layer2 and Layer3 management functions. While it may not offer all of the advanced features and security features you'll find in enterprise-class hardware, for around $250 you're getting a very powerful kit that will allow you to properly manage your network. Great value for money - and no annoying registrations or trials! Perfect.