Another LAN PArty Switch Question

[nightelph]

I'm buying a 24-port switch, and theres two Cisco models I'm considering. One is a basic 24-port 10/100 unmanaged switch (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124128) for $90, the other has an additional two gigabit ports (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124129) for $50 more. Now I believe that I would only need those gigy ports if I was going to employ a dedicated server, no? Or to add another switch, and making a gigy backbone. My LAN parties are only about 12-18, and we play Left 4 Dead 2, and will be playing Starcraft 2. Is it worth it to spend the money now on the gigy ports?
Thanks in advance.
-n

[Drew@PSU]

Nightelph,

In short, no, it's not worth it. That would be useful if they were linking to the rest of a large switched network, but since you aren't doing that, stick with the basic 24 port. Even adding a dedicated server to the Gig ports wouldn't help too much since your downstream guys are all 10/100. That extra $50 is mostly paying for the inclusion of the 2 mini-GBIC ports, but since those are primarily for fiber uplinks, you're not getting a lot out of that. Stick with the basic unmanaged switch, it should do just fine.

-Drew

[nightelph]

Thanks. All I needed to hear.