Linksys SE2500 Gigabit Switch

Most home routers only have a handful of network ports, so when these are all full it can be a nuisance.

The Linksys SE2500 Ethernet Switch is an easy way to add more. It has five ‘gigabit' 1,000Mbits/sec network sockets at the rear, which automatically detect when slower 100Mbit/sec or 10Mbit/sec devices are attached. Any one of the five is connected, with an ordinary network cable, to a free network port on the router.

The remaining four ports can then be used for any networked devices. No configuration or software is needed, and it will work with any router (or even another switch) – it really is a true ‘plug-and-play' device.

There is a physical on/off switch at the rear, plus a switch to turn off the port status lights. The SE2500 is an attractive and very small device, measuring just 154 x 29 x 109mm.

To minimise energy use, ports with no cables connected are automatically turned off. The SE2500 also has technology that helps ensure smooth audio and video streaming.

An eight-port version, the Linksys SE2800, is also available for £50.