Switch mounting and cabling headaches are gone

NETGEAR®, Inc. (is launching a new family of switches, the ProSAFE® Click Switch, in 8-port and 16-port Gigabit Ethernet models.m Designed to improve cable management and reduce unsightly cords in connected homes and growing businesses, the new Click Switch, with its supremely flexible 1-2-3-4 “click” mounting system, is among the exciting new products that NETGEAR is demonstrating to press, customers and channel partners this week in their suite in the Marriott Las Vegas.

In the Connected Home today, you have a variety of networked devices using a wired connection for fast gaming, uninterrupted entertainment, or storage backup. Your home network may support multiple computers, network attached storage (NAS), a Blu-ray® player, a smart TV, and a gaming console which need an intelligent switch to separate and prioritise traffic. Each device contributes to an ugly tangle of cords if it is not managed well. To address this problem of aesthetics, NETGEAR has re-imagined the network switch to make it even easier to have your network ports where you want them, to support the growing use of wired connections in the home as well as in the small office.

The new ProSAFE Click Switch is a Gigabit Ethernet switch for small office or home use, with an industry-first bracket mounting system for easy and attractive installation. Available in either 8- or 16-Gigabit port configurations, its slim design and internal power supply enable you to organise wires, secure cables, eliminate bulky power adapters, and improve the overall appearance of wiring closets, training facilities, lab benches, conference rooms, and home offices.

The unique 1-2-3-4 click mounting system of the ProSAFE Click Switch enables optimal placement and cable management in locations where other switches will not go. You simply attach the bracket to a wall, under a table, or even to a pole and “click” the switch into it, like a ski boot onto a ski. The switch bracket offers both vertical and horizontal orientations so that the ports can face either outwards or sideways, creating four mounting options: (1) vertical/side mount, (2) vertical/rear mount, (3) horizontal/side mount, and (4) horizontal/rear mount.

In addition, the bracket is designed to work thoughtfully with cable ties, VELCRO® brand fasteners, straps, screws, or any other mounting system, so your placement options are simply unlimited. You use the Click Switch cable strap to collect the usual spaghetti mess of cables and attach them neatly to the bracket or to the wall. With so many choices, the ProSAFE Click Switch puts you in control of exactly how your ports and cables are deployed so that you never again have to deal with a tangled mess of cords and wires.

“This is a must-have product for today’s Internet of Things home, with its myriad connected devices. We put a lot of thought into the design of the ProSAFE Click Switch to make it extraordinarily flexible to meet your needs in the office, as well as at home,” said Peter Newton, senior director of product management of NETGEAR’s Commercial Business Unit. “While we can’t yet completely eliminate all cords from your home entertainment centre or wiring closet, our Click Switches tame the ugly rat’s nest of cabling behind the cabinet. Their innovative features and thoughtful design, combined with our industry-leading ProSAFE warranty policy, offer an unbeatable value for your connected network.”

Both Click Switches offer the same intelligent management features of NETGEAR ProSAFE Gigabit Plus Switches, such as monitoring, traffic prioritisation, port trunking, cable testing, and VLAN support. An added bonus to the 8-port version of the Click Switch is its inclusion of two USB ports for quick and easy charging of tablets, smartphones, and other devices.

Key Features of the ProSAFE Click Switch
• Unique 1-2-3-4 click mounting system for flexible placement options
• Cable management with provided retaining strap
• Multi-directional power cable to optimise placement
• Internal power supply to eliminate power brick
• No fan for silent operation
• LED lights can be turned on/off if switch is placed near a TV
• ProSAFE Plus Switch features for traffic management, prioritisation and monitoring
• ProSAFE Lifetime warranty for hardware, next business day shipping and technical support
• 2 USB ports for quick access to charging tablets or phones (8-port only)
• Metal case for rugged durability (16-port only)

The new ProSAFE Click Switches are backed by NETGEAR’s industry-leading ProSAFE Lifetime Hardware Warranty, Lifetime Next Business Day Shipping for part replacement, and 24x7 Lifetime Technical Support.