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