Today, we are reviewing the XikeStor SKS1200-8XGT, a 10GbE switch with a twist. While an 8-port 10Gbase-T switch has typically been costly, the SKS1200-8XGT is now on sale for $199.99, or $25 per port. There are certainly a few items we would like to see changed, but then again, it is inexpensive for what you get.
We purchased our review unit on Amazon (Affiliate link.)
XikeStor SKS1200-8XGT Hardware Overview
On the front of the switch, we get eight ports. All ports run at 100M and 1GbE speeds as well as faster 2.5GbE, 5GbE, and 10GbE speeds. If you just need a lower-speed port, then this is useful, but if you need a lot of 100M/1GbE or even 2.5GbE ports, then there is probably benefit to just getting a lower cost switch.
On the side, we have a vent.
On the other side, we have a cutout for a fan.
On the rear, we have an AC input. A nice feature is that this is an internal power supply switch.
On the bottom we have a label. Note here that we added the included rubber feet since we were taking photos on a table. Another option is to mount this using the included rack ears.
Opening the switch we can see a nice layout.
There is a power supply, a switch PCB, and then a fan.
The switch PCB has a heatsink for the switch and other heatsinks for the PHYs. These are designs not meant to be removed.
Here is a look at the power supply.
Here is the PSU from the side of the chassis.
The 40mm fan is held in place by two screws.
It is designed to move air through the heatsinks and the chassis.
Here is the label for the 12V fan. This is certainly an area where we would have liked to see a standard 3-pin or 4-pin power header. Still, we know that some on STH will see this as a relatively easy fan to swap.
Overall, this is a pretty simple switch, but it makes a lot of sense how it was constructed.
Next, we are going to turn on the switch and see what happens.
Article says:
“The 40mm fan is held in place by two screws. It is designed to pull air through the heatsinks and the chassis.”
Seeing how the label on that fan is facing THE INSIDE of the chassis and not the outside…
…methinks that fan is designed to force air into the chassis and across the switching board & power supply, exhausting out the opposite side.
I had already seen the fan blowing in but I missed the text saying the opposite!
The PCB is so small and the PSU so wimpy, this could go into the back of a server.
.Obviously there are 1001 different brands pumping out those generic 2.5GbE switches, all one-trck ponies.. but Zikestor isn’t one of them.
They’ve got an excellent ranges of switches, with just the-right features, at the-right price. Hell, they even made their own 10GbE mini-card for Synology’s devices, and sell it 1/3 the price!
Ive for several of their manager switches, and they are feature packing. I’m hoping to see this brand enter Western markets properly, especially if they can keep the pricing as honest as they do now..
I can’t comment on long term quality, but, I saved so much money, I could by a cold spare of each model and still have change when compared to Western brands.
Seems very nice! The power consumption is a bit high yes but I agree with that no mgmt is better than bad or insecure mgmt. Changing that fan seems imperative though.
Looks very similar to the yers old Dlink version. They both have same noise and need a hike drilled in top for a 10mm noctua fan. It’s also WAY to expensive if you import it to Europe and ends up almost more expensive than the existing several years old Dlink switch. Yet again nothing new or cheaper on the 10gig front…still way too expensive, noisy and power hungry