News in the Channel - issue #15

PRODUCT REVIEW

Advice for resellers These new products offer resellers

need more bandwidth for their network with demands coming from online gaming activities, multimedia streaming services or faster wireless network connectivity being the likes of devices including WiFi 6/6E AP, 2.5G CPE, 2.5G NAS/Server, 4K streaming, desktop with 2.5G NIC, gaming console, VR gaming, and so on,” he says. These products can also be upsold and added to a bundle with other products, Luke adds. “These are unmanaged products, no need of license to have the most from this product,” he says. “Resellers can use this as an unmamaged switch to connect to 2.5G PoE++ access points to get the most out of newer families of access points like WiFi 6/E or even some WiFi 7 APs. “There is no need to bundle with software but could be sold into or with WiFi APs as a simple plug and play switch. Nearly all our newer APs. have a 2.5G interface which is supported on this switch also. Some higher end models are, including: WAX640S-5E and WAX620D-6E, WAX650S, but also the lower end NWA90AX pro and NWA50AX Pro.” The XMG-108 is available for £139, XMG-105HP is priced at £119 and XMG-108HP at £159 including VAT. too. With 2.5G it means they are at the forefront of technology, which also means they should have a relatively long lifespan in the field. Its simple plug-and-play nature will also be popular with users as it doesn’t require expertise to set up and use. In all, it could be a useful addition to resellers’ product lists, especially those that focus on the smaller end of the market.

opportunities to sell into businesses. As Luke Harley, market development manager at Zyxel Networks, explains, there are several aspects resellers should look to highlight to customers. “High network speeds without the need of changing cable when using CAT5a cables and full speed 2.5G Ethernet ports for WiFi 6/6E router or AP connections, these even come with a 10Gb SFP+ fiber port to connect to servers or when using a 10Gb copper SFP connecting to high-speed ISP routers,” he says. “These switches are equipped with multi- gig ports supported up to 2.5G with auto- negotiation for 3-speed (100M/1G/2.5G) to optimise performance for network devices.” Luke adds that the products are ideal for home, SOHO or small office users. “Those who

Luke Harley market development manager

zyxel.com

With PoE becoming increasingly popular with businesses and home workers – especially those who also like to game when not at work – these sorts of systems are likely to be in great demand this year and going forward as ever-more devices become networked. Zyxel Networks’ new XMG-100 series are an ideal addition to the market, and at a convenient price point for small businesses

EDITOR’S VERDICT