Smart Managed Switch: Cisco or Zyxel

[qeysxc]

I need a 16-port smart managed switch that can do VLANS. I plan to have OPNsense do DHCP and route between the VLANS.

I don't have experience with switch hardware but heard good things about the Cisco 250 business series switch. Others have said they like Zyxel switches.

I was hoping for guidance on whether I should focus on one brand over the other. I'm primarily looking for quality, high-performing, reliable hardware that will work well with OPNsense

[marjohn56]

Cisco's can be a b*itch to configure as they their web interface is not that smart, I usually end up having to  do almost everything using the console. I've had no experience with Zyxel switches so I will not comment. I do however use D'Link smart switches at home and have had no issues, they are also easy to set up using the web interface.

[Patrick M. Hausen]

I would not buy Cisco "fancy UI business something something". You buy Cisco for IOS, command line, and automation with e.g. Ansible. Get a real Catalyst switch or something from a different vendor.

[OmnomBánhmì]

You haven't said what for - or a price range. Adding my 2ct here anyhow.

Zyxel does consumer gear, I have that at home (GS1200). VLANs they can do, and while the UI is modern, running the configuration is not without problems (small handful of VLANs). I need to reboot the switches every month or so, because data throughput slows down considerably over time. Annoyin. I'm eyeing Aruba for a refresh in homelab gear.

The older rackmount and PoE switches that run in the company data rack work nicely and without any issues. These are XGS2210 and GS2210 specimen, and they stay out of your way and just work. Newer stuff supports Nebula and cloud management, haven't touched those yet.

[cookiemonster]

For homelabing I've been using Mikrotik CSS326-24G-2S+ and does VLANs like a champ, has port mirroring for when needing to diagnose and runs for months doing its job silently and just out of the way. Only gets rebooted when I want/need as part of a diagnostic. Amazon UK has them for GBP 150 delivered.

[TheAutomationGuy]

Neither.  Right now I would look at some of the many Brocade switches being sold on EBay.  Check this thread out for more information.  https://forums.servethehome.com/index.php?threads/brocade-icx-series-cheap-powerful-10gbe-40gbe-switching.21107/