July 6th, 2008 
Simon Seagrave 
Looking for a fully featured but reasonably priced network switch for your ESX test lab?
Check out the Linksys SLM2008. This 8 port Gigabit ‘Smart’ switch is an ideal candidate for small ESX test labs and contains a number of features found in larger, more expensive switches on the market.
These features include:
- 8 x 1Gb Auto sensing Ports
-Web management interface.
- Port Based VLAN Tagging.
- Can run off of Power Over Ethernet (PoE).
- IEEE 802.1Q VLANs
- EEE 802.1X port authentication.
- Support of IGMP Snooping.
The most applicable feature for an ESX test lab is that of using the Port based VLAN functionality to separate the COS, VM OS and VMotion networks.
Below are some screen shots of the main web based management interface and the 2 pages associated with configuring the VLAN tagging.
1. Main Web Based Management Page:
2. VLAN Configuration Page 1:
3. VLAN Configuration Page 2:
Here in the UK the switch retails for approximately £60. Which when you consider the features and the 8 Gigabit ports this equates to good value for money.
Click here for more information on this great little switch.
Also, the User Guide and Data Sheet
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My name is Simon Seagrave and I am a London (UK) based Senior Technology Consultant and vSpecialist working for EMC. 
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Good find, looks perfect for my lab needs.
Thanks!
Also just found this HP ProCurve…
http://www.probsolvexpress.com/products.asp?partno=J9029A
If you can stretch another £20 it adds link aggregation (802.3ad) and flow control, quite good especially for people looking at using iSCSI/NFS for their VM stores.
The SLM2008 also supports link agregation using IEEE 802.3ad LACP.
Hi,
This looks handy – i’ve been looking for a small (cheap) VLAN switch, but i’m just trying to get my head around how i can build a test network in ESXi. I’d like to have VMs in two different VLANs in ESXi, connected to a physical switch (via a VLAN trunk port) that would also allow for an additional physical server in each VLAN, and then finally run a VLAN trunk from the switch to a router to allow the two VLANs to communicate with each other.
So 4 ports used in total, 2 trunks (one to ESXi and one to a router), and then one additional port in each VLAN
Do you know if this switch would allow it (access and trunk mode ports i believe) or should i be looking for soemthing a bit more sophisticated?
thanks in advance
Hi,
I haven’t tested this but from what I know it should be possible. The SLM2008 supports 802.1X Port Access and allows multiple trunks between switches to be setup.
I recently bought the switch also for an ESX setup (but I don’t have the need as you do for VLANs), this is information I found in the User Guide.
I am new to networking (VLANs, et al) and ESXi. I am building a lab at home. If I buy the Linksys SLM2008 8-port switch will I be able expand the network when more than 8 physical connections are required by adding another SLM2008 switch.
Hi Boger,
I am currently only using a single Linksys SLM2008 switch for my home lab though am looking at buying a second sometime soon. You will be able to add an additional switch (eg: another SLM2008) to the network in the future though just to point out that there is no provision with the SLM2008 to cascade it with another SLM2008 – the switch is too entry level for this level of functionality.
Hope this helps,
Si
Hi, can the switch be configured for jumbo framing
Hi,
I just checked the User Guide for my Linksys SLM2008.
Yes, jumbo frames are supported (up to 9KB).
Regards,
Marc
Hi Jus,
As Marc pointed out it sure does support Jumbo Frames. I have two of these SLM2008 and find them great little switches for my home lab.
Thanks to Marc for the info and replying
All the best,
Simon
Cheers Marc
Hi,
What firmware version does your switch have (may say in the web interface)?
The only reason I ask is, from what i can see online, there are 2 firmwares, a 1.0x version on the model pictured in this post (and on most UK sites). BUT also there is a 2.0x firmware that comes pre-loaded on a NEWER version of this switch. From what i read the older model has a high failure rate (according to various user reviews on amazon.com and the below post on cisco forums).
https://supportforums.cisco.com/message/1325704;jsessionid=A51141F71A0355CEF0CBE1FBAB142B68.node0
I think the newer one looks like this: http://www.ipendpoints.co.uk/productimages/display/SS-image-2009-11-27-4b0fab3b90810.jpg
Have you ordered one from serversplus recently to know which one they cary in stock?
rp2000
Hi,
Is this the S/W Version ?
On mine, I have 1.0.1 and never had problems I think.
The following is connected to the switch :
- esx server (2 lan ports + 1 rsa port)
- dlna hdtv
- htpc
- pc
- internet box
Regards,
Marc
Hi,
I’ve checked both of my Linksys SLM2008′s and they’re both running v1.0.1 of the firmware. I’m not sure what version ServersPlus are holding stock of (ie: newer Cisco branded version running firmware v2.0x or the older Linksys) but will check with them.
Luckily I haven’t had, or infact head of, any of the issues mentioned in the Cisco forum you mentioned.
Cheers,
Simon
Thanks,
I called a few places but none of the places really know which version they have in stock. I am sure the older version is fine (Although many people on Amazon reviews have had hardware failures), but as I know a newer revision is out (for the same price) I would much rather have that, if it is obtainable. I guess it is only a matter of time till the newer version seeps into distribution channels.
Currently I own an SD2005, which is a non managed Linksys Switch, so I won’t be able to do any VLANing etc until I get a “smarter” switch
I am going to wait a week or 2 before buying a new switch so, hopefully, you are able to find out what ServersPlus have.
Thanks for your reply
Hi,
Isn’t it possible to simply upgrade the firmware from 1.0.1 to 2.0x ??
I don’t have time right now to check this, but it should be possible from the web admin console I think.
Marc
Hi Marc,
I may give this a try over the Christmas holiday break and I’ll let you all know how I get on.
Cheers,
Simon
Hi,
ServersPlus have confirmed that they are shipping the newer Cisco branded SLM2008 switches – so as such I am guessing they will have the v2.x of the firmware.
Cheers,
Simon
Just to let you know that I just received my switch from Server Plus and the firmware is indeed the newer one (2.0.0.10).
Thanks for the replies, whilst ServersPlus are not the cheapest for this switch, the guarantee of getting the newer version is worth the extra.
Only spotted Kiwi Si’s respoonse now so thanks to him for checking, and Fabien for confirming.
rp2000
Hi Fabien,
Thanks for confirming – that’s good to know. I’m going to see if upgrading the firmware to version 2.0.0.10 on my older Linksys SLM2008 works.
Cheers,
Simon
Kiwi Si…or anyone on this forum.
Have you successfully updated a 1.0.1 to the 2.0.0.10? I just ordered and received a new one that has the newer version and would like to get the old Linksys updated to the new version. But trying to find out if anyone else has tried it already.
It looks like Kiwi Si was going to, so I wanted to follow up.
Cheers,
WRO
Update:
I just updated my Linksys (previous 1.0.1) to the new Cisco 2.0.0.10 and everything seems to be working so far. My network is flat and not complicated, so most of the features haven’t been tested etc. It did default to all the original settings however, so a backup or printout of your config may be prudent. If figured if it failed I can send it back for warranty replacement, so I went ahead and completed the update.
Good luck gents. If this burns out my capacitors I’ll try to get back and let you all know.
Regards,
WRO
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You can read a full review of that switch :
http://sam.web.free.fr/blog/?p=699
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