Smart or not?

[strainu]

I want to give up my Linksys router for a more powerful one made from an Alix board. In order to do that, I would also need a switch, and I can't decide if it should be a 16 port gigabit unmanaged switch or an 5-8 port gigabit smart/managed switch. I'm aware there is a price difference between these

What does the "smart" thing offer except link aggregation? How do I know if I'll ever need it?

I'm currently using all 4 ports from the router and the network will very probably increase (2 computers, NAS, printer). However, I'm not so sure I would ever need more than 8 ports.

Can somebody help me make up my mind?

 

[thiggins]

What does the "smart" thing offer except link aggregation?

Not trying to be wise, but if you have to ask, then you probably don't need it.
Read through a couple of reviews and/or spec sheets to learn more.
Netgear GS724TR 24 Port Gigabit Smart Switch with Static Routing Reviewed
Linksys SLM2008 8-port 10/100/1000 Gigabit Smart Switch Review

 

[strainu]

Take 2

I'm sorry, I made the question sound like a "noob" one. I read pretty much everything you have on switches on the site and some time ago I asked your advice on managed switches.

Due to some circumstances I had to postpone the acquisition and now I'm not so sure whether to go with a smart switch or not. So, what I wanted to know is: do the features of managed switches bring any added value to a network with:
* 5 users max at any time
* somewhere around 10-12 total devices
* mixed data (video, audio, games, etc.); no VoIP
* all kinds of servers, some of which have to be available to the exterior world
* a technology-aware, but not professional admin (that would be me)

Hope I've been clearer now.

 

[thiggins]

I'm sorry, I made the question sound like a "noob" one. I read pretty much everything you have on switches on the site and some time ago I asked your advice on managed switches.

Not a problem. Glad you didn't take offense!

In a home situation, it's unlikely that a managed/smart switch would be worth the extra cost.