Getnet - have a cheap network!

The devices that came to us, four in number, can be divided into two groups. Two can be used to set up and access two wired and wireless networks.

However, before delving into the specification, let’s take a look at what’s similar with these products! The first is definitely the packaging. The box of getnet products is dominated by green. This is a well-matched color, as the friendly, soothing green on the one hand refers to environmental protection, which is fashionable these days, on the other hand I don't really think of a network device company using this color, so getnet boxes can be recognized from afar on shelves.

The second common feature is the plastic used to cover the hardware. At Edimax, we’re already used to the glossy white surfaces, so it’s almost a given that the new brand has everything black and matte. Of course, this is not worth much or says, so we have to describe that the quality of the plastic looks good, and through the matting, the coating is a bit reminiscent of sandblasted metal surfaces. What is very important is that it resists reprints well, which is definitely a good point for us, as we often come across hardware that looks good in the box, but when picked up from there, it will immediately be full of fingerprints that we can then constantly delete. That's what the products have in common. So let's see in a nice line what came to us!

GR-154 Broadband Router

As its name suggests, this tool is for sharing Internet access. Of course, not only this, as four Ethernet ports can be used to create a local area network without the Internet, but of course a smooth switch would be enough, it is a pity to waste the router's knowledge.

We can’t write too much about hardware capabilities. In addition to the four 10/100 megabit wired ports, you will find a WAN connector to which you can connect a cable modem or xDSL modem. On the back, in addition to these, you will find another connector for the network adapter and a reset button with which you can restart the device. At the beginning of the cover, the indicator LEDs flash to us in a nice row, which show the switched-on status, the busyness of the wired connections and their operation by flashing.

For such a device, software is very important. It is good to know that the software of getnet devices is Linux based, of course it can be replaced and updated, if we are lucky, we can find modified software on the net later, which usually offers a little extra compared to the factory.

The getnet router software is not complicated. The images below show that even though an English speaker who has encountered a similar device will not get lost in the settings now. A quick setup, which is essential for beginners, is also available to get the device up and running in 1-2 minutes.

Of course, various security settings are also available here, as well as MAC filtering and a firewall. The latter should be turned on, but with this router, as there is no possibility of wireless connection, the risk of burglary is also lower. The many explanations should be followed by pictures, and for whom this would not be enough, feel free to ask in the forum, we will try to answer any questions that arise.

GS-115P Desktop switch

We can’t really write much interesting about this network device. It's a switch and point. If someone didn’t know, then a switch is a structure that can be used to build local area networks. It has 5 Ethernet ports that support the 10/100 megabit standard, which means that the maximum available transfer rate is 100 megabits. The 10 megabit standard is suspected of being no longer used anywhere. Anno, when I started building networks, using a switch was not at all natural at the time, HUB was the cheapest solution at the time.

I remember the main difference between HUBs and switches was that HUBs sent data packets to all devices connected to it, and where they were destined from there it didn’t bounce back. The switch identified the recipient based on the MAC address and sent the data packet only to him, making it a safer and faster solution. In the last few years, the HUBs have become extinct, which is no wonder, as a switch is also available at such a low price that there would be no one who would like to buy a HUB.

The switch does not have available, configurable software, so we cannot present images of it. Our readers should be satisfied that we have tried it, it works, the LEDs on the cover blink amicably.

Let's move on, let's follow the wireless network devices!