INTRODUCTION

   Roughly two weeks ago we reviewed an 8 port 10/100Mbps PoE switch by TRENDnet, the TPE-S44 which is basically the ideal solution for people who want a cost-effective switch with the ability to power their IP Cameras via power over Ethernet. Now although there aren't that many people out there who actually care about such products (or at least i didn't think so) i was surprised to receive quite a few emails by many of you asking for more similar reviews and so naturally i started searching for PoE compatible switches that wouldn't empty your wallet. The first of those is the TL-SF1008P 8-port 10/100Mbps Desktop PoE switch by TP-Link.

   Since entering the international market in 2005, TP-LINK has become more and more invested in the international market. Our products are deployed in over 120 countries and serve over one billion users worldwide. TP-LINK is a global provider of SOHO&SMB networking products and the World's No.1 provider of WLAN and Broadband CPE devices, with products available in over 120 countries to tens of millions customers. Committed to intensive R&D, efficient production and strict quality management, TP-LINK continues to provide award-winning networking products in Wireless, ADSL, Routers, Switches, IP Cameras, Powerline Adapters, Print Servers, Media Converters and Network Adapters for Global end-users. Based on the confidence of tens of millions of customers, TP-LINK is now growing to become one of the most competitive providers of networking products with aspirations to become one of the top 3 networking brands in the world and striving for a larger global market share, while further advancing in the world of networking to better serve our most valued customers with products that make their lives easier.

   If you took the time to read the TPE-S44 review you will have most certainly noticed the similar exterior design between that and the TL-SF1008P which probably means that both units are manufactured by the same company. Similarities continue as the TL-SF1008P also offers a total of eight 10/100Mbps ports half of which feature PoE functionality (15.4W for each port) to feed compatible devices (IP Cameras) with power via the Ethernet cable (CAT5/6 recommended). However just to be certain we will also slice it open just like we did with the TPE-S44 and check its interior layout and components. So let’s move forward and see just what the TL-SF1008P 8-port 10/100Mbps Desktop PoE switch is all about.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

A large product image along with its main features and the TP-LINK logo is what you see at the front.

The system requirements are listed at the right side of the box.

Over at the left side we see the specifications of unit.

Listed at the bottom are the package contents along with several certification icons.

A topology diagram right next to the units features are placed at rear of the box.

The entire bundle is safely placed inside a formed piece of cardboard.

The bundle consists from the TL-SF1008P switch, AC power adapter and cable, quick installation guide, user's guide, 4 small round rubber feet and two pieces of paper promoting other products by TP-LINK.

THE TL-SF1008P

The TL-SF1008P 8-port 10/100Mbps Desktop PoE switch by TP-LINK comes with a nice matte gold/grey color finish and measures 171mm in width, 98mm in depth and 27mm in height (29mm with the feet installed) while weighing a total of 430g.

Just like with the TPE-S44 there are several activity/status LEDs placed at the front.

Starting from left to right we see the on/off status LED, maximum supported PoE output (W) LED, PoE activity LEDs and the device connection state/speed LEDs for all 8 ports.

Several exhaust holes are present on both sides of the enclosure.

At the rear we see the 8 10/100Mbps RJ45 (Ethernet) ports and the AC power plug.

The first 4 are also compatible with the PoE (Power over Ethernet) standard and can be used with IP Cameras.

A sticker placed at the bottom contains the unit’s serial number along with several certification logos.

Well the interior of the TL-SF-1008P is not identical to that of the TPE-S44 but it comes really close (perhaps different revisions?).

TP-LINK has chosen a LAN transformer (responsible for functions like auto negotiation) from GROUP-TEK.

The T-Base magnetic module is manufactured by LAB a company which i can't say I’ve heard of prior to this review.

Finally we see the 9-Port 10/100Mbps switch controller by Realtek.

TESTING METHODOLOGY – TEST RESULTS

   Testing 10/100Mbps devices makes little sense since for the past years most of us have been using Gigabit (1000Mbps) compatible devices offering transfer speeds up to 10 times over. Also the fact that we are talking about cost-effective PoE switches which will most likely be used with IP Cameras is all the more reason as to why a benchmark would be just a tad overkill. Still since some of you have asked we will be using the networking benchmark by Passmark to test similar devices the same exact way we test Powerline adapters and Modem/Routers. So each of the two systems is placed 15m away from the switch and each test was repeated a total of 6 times after which the average scores were recorded into our charts.

   Much like the TRENDnet TPE-S44 (yes we thought it would be nice to also include it in the chart) the TL-SF1008P by TP-LINK also manages to almost max out its rated connection speed. Still neither comes even close to the transfer speeds of our Gigabit modem/router.

CONCLUSION

   I was planning not to mention the countless similarities between the TRENDnet TPE-S44 and the TP-LINK TL-SF1008P when writing the conclusion but i really can't since the only thing that seems to change between both units is the color and nothing else. However that also means that both units work flawlessly and not even once did they stall the local network, even with 4 PoE compatible IP Cameras attached. What i don't know however is how the different brand interior components will turn out (durability) since i don't actually know much about the companies behind them (Realtek excluded).

   If you are wondering then yes the similarities between both units continue and so the TL-SF1008P 8-port 10/100Mbps Desktop PoE switch by TP-LINK also carries a very attractive price tag and so it currently retails for USD53 inside the USA (Amazon) while inside the EU you can find it at around 55Euros. So if you are looking for an small switch with a total of 8 Ethernet 10/100Mbps ports (4 of which are PoE compatible) and a very good price then the TL-SF1008P should also be ontop of your to buy list (although personally i like the new black enclosure of the TRENDnet version more). Likewise however the lack of Gigabit connectivity from such solutions is the only drawback i can think of (excused once again however from the low price) and i really hope it will get solved soon. Until then however the TL-SF1008P is amongst the very few low-cost choices aimed at people on a tight budget who want to install up to 4 PoE compatible IP Cameras independently from the local electrical grid (with the use of a UPS device) and that's why it gets our Golden Award.

PROS

- Build Quality (Metal Enclosure)
- Size
- 8 x 10/100Mbps Ports
- 4 x 10/100Mbps PoE Compatible Ports
- Price (For Some) 

CONS

- None