Linksys re-entered the SMB marketplace with the launch of seven new unmanaged switches (three with PoE) and two new VPN routers. The Linksys SMB brand was dissolved a few years ago after 20-plus years in the SMB space, but now is back under Belkin International to offer a portfolio of business networking and security products that will target SMB companies and resellers.
The first product suite from the Linksys Business series will include unmanaged switches, unmanaged switches with Power over Ethernet (PoE), and VPN routers.
The new unmanaged desktop gigabit switches include 5-, 8-, 16-, and 24-port versions, and 8-, 16-, and 24-port versions that include PoE. Features include:
• Gigabit speeds
• Auto-sensing ports
• Quality of Service (QoS) traffic prioritization (on 8-, 16- and 24-port only)
• Power over Ethernet functionality (on PoE versions only) for connecting access points or video surveillance solutions
Also, power-saving features include: auto power-down disables unused ports, smart power for short cable runs, and port status switch to control LED lights.
The lineup of unmanaged switches is available now through major distributors. MSRP for Linksys unmanaged switches ranges from $49.99 to $229.99. MSRP for Linksys unmanaged PoE switches ranges from $179.99 to $449.99.
The Linksys LRT series of VPN routers integrates gigabit firewall, site-to-site VPN, and various remote access VPN technologies into two single solutions. The LRT series includes the gigabit VPN router and dual-WAN gigabit VPN router. These routers feature: four gigabit ports; up to 50 IPSec tunnels; five OpenVPN tunnels; dual-WAN load balance and WAN failover (on LRT244 only); integrated firewall supporting URL filtering and access rules; 802.1q VLAN tagging; port forwarding, port triggering, and port address translation for 30 devices; DMZ port; DHCP server; DNS; and more.
MSRP is $229.99 for the LRT214 VPN gigabit router; $299.99 for the LRT224 dual-WAN gigabit router. Availability is planned for early December.
SMBs and resellers can find a participating distributor here.
