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A 10 GbE link moves about 1 GB/s, ten times gigabit: copying a 50 GB folder to a NAS takes under a minute instead of eight. Small switches offer it in two shapes.
SFP+ cages
An empty slot that takes a module or a DAC cable (a copper cable with the modules built in, up to a few metres).
- Cheap and cool. A DAC cable costs little and uses almost no power; fibre modules reach across the house.
- Needs a matching port on the other side: an SFP+ network card in the NAS or server.
- RJ45 modules for SFP+ exist but run hot (often 2–3 W each) and small fanless switches do not like them.
Example: the MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN, four SFP+ cages, fanless.
RJ45 (10GBASE-T)
The usual network socket, with Cat6 or Cat6a cable.
- Plug in any device: most 10 GbE ports on NAS boxes, mini PCs and Macs are RJ45, and they also run at 2.5 and 5 GbE.
- More power and heat per port than SFP+ with DAC.
Examples: the MikroTik CRS304-4XG-IN (four ports) or, for a desk with a 10 GbE NAS and 2.5 GbE clients, the QNAP QSW-2104-2T.
Which one
- Your devices have RJ45 10 GbE (most NAS, Macs, many mini PCs): an RJ45 switch.
- You are adding 10 GbE cards to servers, or linking two switches: SFP+ with DAC is cheaper and cooler.
- 2.5 GbE clients plus one or two fast links: a 2.5 GbE switch with SFP+ uplinks, like the MikroTik CRS310-8G+2S+IN.
See every switch rated for 10 GbE.