Linksys® today announced, at the Interop show in Las Vegas, the expansion of its brand new business networking line-up with six new Smart Switches. The new Smart Switch line-up is available in 8, 18 or 26 Gigabit Ethernet-port configurations with or without Power over Ethernet+ to provide power to connected devices such as Wi-Fi access points or IP security cameras. The new Linksys Smart Switches include network management features that are not found in unmanaged switches such as various QoS features and DHCP Snooping to further enhance network performance and security. The new Linksys Smart Switches are energy efficient by powering down ports when connected devices are inactive and also detect the cable length of connected devices to adjust the power accordingly.

The new Linksys smart switches include features for expansion, enhancement and security of networking structures, making it an ideal solution for demanding requirements and scenarios such as load-balancing or IP-telephony. Quality of Service (QoS) features ensure that traffic is prioritised to deliver the best possible user experience for real-time applications like voice and video along with bandwidth-intensive graphic/video file uploads and downloads. Multiple high-bandwidth trunks between switches enhance availability and redundancy while Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and Storm Control features help to control planned or inadvertent cable loops. Network security is also enhanced through port authentication and MAC-based port security, requiring client authentication before any data is passed on.

The new switches come in 8, 18 and 26 Gigabit-port versions with and without Power over Ethernet. The LGS308P, LGS318P and LGS326P support the latest 802.3at (PoE+) standards and provide up to double the power budget per Gigabit Ethernet port while offering 802.3af (PoE) backward-compatibility. Power over Ethernet reduces electrical wiring costs, simplifies installation, and supports network devices such as IP cameras and wireless access points in optimal indoor and outdoor locations.

Linksys Smart (PoE+) Gigabit Switches
8-Port Smart Gigabit Switch (LGS308)
8-Port Smart Gigabit (PoE+) Switch (LGS308P)

8 PoE+ Gigabit ports (with 72W) (LGS308P only)
Desktop form factor with metal enclosure
Easy configuration and management
Energy efficient
Fanless
VLAN 
Port-based and 802.1q tag-based VLANs
Management VLAN
Guest VLAN support
Dynamic VLAN assignment via Radius server with 802.1x client authentication
Advanced Security:
802.1X with RADIUS
DHCP snooping
IP-MAC binding
Storm Control, Spanning Tree, Link Aggregation
QoS priority levels with 4 hardware queues
IPv6 support
Set-up and management through the Web Interface or Simple Network Management Protocol
Limited Lifetime Warranty
18-Port Smart Gigabit (PoE+) Switch (LGS318P)
26-Port Smart Gigabit (PoE+) Switch (LGS326P)
18-Port Smart Gigabit Switch (LGS318)
26-Port Smart Gigabit Switch (LGS326)

18 Gigabit ports (16 with PoE+ and 125W power) LGS318P only
26 Gigabit ports (24 with PoE+ and 192W power) LGS326P only
Rack mountable form factor with metal enclosure
Easy configuration and management
Energy efficient
Advanced Security:
802.1X with RADIUS
DHCP snooping
IP-MAC binding
Storm Control, Spanning Tree, Link Aggregation
QoS priority levels with 4 hardware queues
IPv6 support
Set-up and management through the Web Interface or Simple Network Management Protocol
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Availability
The Linksys Smart (PoE+) Gigabit Switches are planned to roll out in March through major distributors. SMBs and resellers can find a participating distributor at our website:
http://www.linksys.com/en-eu/business/find-a-distributor

8-Port Smart Gigabit Switch (LGS308) MSRP £66.00
8-Port Smart Gigabit PoE+ Switch (LGS308P) MSRP £176.70
18-Port Smart Gigabit Switch (LGS318)  MSRP £151.90
18-Port Smart Gigabit PoE+ Switch (LGS318P)  MSRP £328.60
26-Port Smart Gigabit Switch (LGS326) MSRP £202.30
26-Port Smart Gigabit PoE+ Switch (LGS326P)  MSRP £430.10