TP-Link TL-SG105: 5-port gigabit switch in a fanless metal case

The TP-Link TL-SG105 is the classic fix when your router or desk runs out of LAN sockets. Plug in one cable from the router and you get four more gigabit ports for a PC, console, NAS or TV. There is nothing to set up – the switch is unmanaged and works as soon as it is plugged in.

All five ports run at 10, 100 or 1000 Mbps and detect cable type and speed automatically. According to the datasheet, switching capacity is 10 Gbps, so every port can run at full speed at the same time. IGMP snooping helps with IPTV and multicast streams, and 802.1p/DSCP QoS prioritises voice and video traffic, provided your devices tag it.

The metal case measures about 10 × 10 cm and has no fan, so you will not hear it. It can also be screwed to a wall. The datasheet lists a maximum draw of 2.3 watts, and power use also adapts to link status and cable length.

Worth knowing: an unmanaged switch cannot do VLANs, port mirroring or monitoring – for that you need an Easy Smart or managed model. There is no PoE, so access points or cameras need their own power supply. For full gigabit speed, use at least Cat5e cables. Case colour and hardware revision may vary between batches.