Continuing our low-cost 10GbE switch series, we have our review of the TRENDnet TL2-F7120. This is a 12-port SFP+ managed switch. While it is often not the cheapest option out there, it is still relatively inexpensive and it is from a brand many have heard of. We snagged a great deal on the switch and decided to add it to The Ultimate Cheap 10GbE Switch Buyers Guide.
TRENDnet TL2-F7120 Pricing
Normally, this switch costs $315 or so at online shops. We snagged a deal for one for only $221, which is how it got into the review budget.
To us, the $315 price puts it in a different price band on these cheap switches. That is only $100 less than the 16-port MikroTik CRS317-1G-16S+RM with redundant power supplies, or $100 more than the MikroTik CRS309-1G-8S+IN passively cooled switch.
Pricing changes all the time. If you want to check current pricing, here is an Amazon Affiliate Link.
TRENDnet TL2-F7120 Hardware Overview
On the front of the switch we have most of our major features. Those include the console port, status LEDs, and the twelve SFP+ ports.
The switch comes with rack mounting ears, and as a half-width switch, you can purchase a side-by-side mounting kit. For those with 10″ racks, you can use this switch, but it will require finding or fabricating a rack ear solution for one of the sides.
Other than that, there is not much on the sides of this switch.
On the bottom, we get a label with a number of regulatory, compliance, and safety markings.
On the back we get a fan as well as an AC input.
Getting inside the switch, we see the internal power supply and the fan along with the main switch PCB.
The fan is a 40mm Sunon unit.
Here is a look at the power supply.
The switch chip is a bit of a challenge. We can see the Nanya DRAM package alongside the chip’s heatsink.
The heatsink was soldered into the PCB. We did not want to remove it since that might impact how the switch functions.
TRENDnet is using Realtek chips for controlling things like blinking lights.
Here is a close-up of the Realtek RTL8231 chips which are GPIO expanders usually to control lights.
We found another one of these chips on the bottom of the PCB.
Next, let us get to the management.
Interesting one
Thank you for the review. Would be exciting to also review this switch: https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005007131497062.html?src=google
Mine changed the passwords for all accounts and now I need to reset it.
For the price it’s interesting, it’s possible put two of this in the same U ?
Yes. They sell a bracket to allow that.