Network Switches


david_ten
@david_ten 
Did the posts / responses answer your questions?
Yes, I believe so for now. Thanks again to all for the help. 

Based on the responses here and my sleuthing around on the internet, it seems a good start would be to purchase a switch and try it in different positions either near my router or near my Antipodes DX server.  I also plan to power my router, and possibly the switch too (if it needs power), using my HD Plex linear power supply that is currently not being used. 

As far as which switch, it seems a  Cisco WS-C2960G-8TC-L Catalyst 2960 8-Port 10/100/1000 Ethernet Switch is pretty well-regarded and would be a good start.  It can be purchased for less than $100 used or less than $200 "refurbished."  Should I assume I need 10/100/1000 ports?  The port configuration (speed?) seems to make a difference in the price, and they are not all the same.

Another "audiophile" switch I came across in my searching that is not mentioned in the OP is the Silent Angel Bonn N8 Switch for about $400 new, from Crux.

#adamaley
We used to make the accredited, especially the M$ network certified guys, work in the back, till we could beat most of the stupid out of them. ;)
@mitch2 Great. There have been a number of really helpful posts. Thanks to all for their contributions and support of the community.

Let us know which switch you choose and how it works out.

In the past I used the HDPlex to power my switch and other front end peripherals and the differences vs. the stock wall warts were easily discernible.
Since it hasn’t been brought up, consider GROUNDING the switch with a RJ45 terminated grounding cable.

Additionally, vibrational / resonance control via footers (etc.) will help. Weights to help stabilize the unit (the consumer 8 Port units are lightweight), especially important if the LAN cables are hefty.

I bring this up because in many systems the switch seems to have the ultimate ugly duckling status. This was the case again (just last evening)...the switch was under the rack on the carpet. Out of sight but likely not out of earshot. : )
Bridging and switching were brought up in a previous post.

I have (at this point in time) eliminated the network switch for my audio system and utilize a "simple bridge" within my server. 

Here are straightforward definitions and explanations of the differences between the two...

https://techdifferences.com/difference-between-bridge-and-switch.html

http://nhprice.com/tutorial-of-differences-between-hub-bridge-switch-and-router.html

https://www.globalknowledge.com/us-en/resources/resource-library/articles/what-s-the-difference-between-hubs-switches-bridges/

And a heavier, more detailed read:

https://book.systemsapproach.org/internetworking/switching.html