Explore the guide library · Switch selection and setup
Local device-to-device transfers and traffic leaving the switch do not necessarily follow the same capacity limit.
A 2.5 Gigabit switch connected to a Gigabit router can still provide a useful local upgrade. The key is to distinguish traffic that stays between devices on the switch from traffic that must cross the router uplink.
Draw two example routes
A capable workstation transferring to a capable storage server on the same switch may use their faster local connections. A download from the internet must also cross the router-facing link and the broadband service. Those are different paths with different constraints.
Think about simultaneous use
Several clients sending traffic through one Gigabit uplink share that connection’s capacity. Each port’s advertised speed does not create a separate full-speed internet connection. Identify whether congestion occurs during concurrent activity rather than during one isolated transfer.
Check all negotiated rates
Products such as the cited TL-SG105-M2 family and MS105 support multi-rate ports, but each attached device negotiates according to the compatible interface and cable path. Inspect the actual rate instead of assuming every plugged-in client is operating at 2.5 Gigabit.
Use targeted measurements
| Test | What it helps isolate |
|---|---|
| Local transfer on the switch | Client, storage and local switching path |
| Transfer across the uplink | Shared upstream connection |
| Internet workload | Router and provider path as well |
Upgrade the actual bottleneck
If local transfers are the goal, the existing router may be adequate. If many clients saturate the upstream connection, evaluate a supported faster router or switch topology.
Do not add parallel uplink cables as an improvised fix; an unsupported arrangement can create a network loop. Plan any aggregation or redundancy only through documented features. A network diagram and a few controlled tests make clear whether the next purchase should be a faster uplink, a client adapter, better storage or nothing at all.
Sources and editorial notes
Sources checked 8–9 October 2026. Independent guidance and original illustrations; product comparisons use published specifications rather than hands-on benchmarks. Check the exact model, revision and regional documentation before changing settings.
- TP-Link: TL-SG105-M2 and TL-SG108-M2 installation guide
- NETGEAR: MS105 specifications
- NETGEAR: Ethernet loops and broadcast storms