[ALUG] Belkin switch dodgy?

[(Ted Harding)]

On 01-Jul-06 MJ Ray wrote:
> (Ted Harding) <Ted.Harding at nessie.mcc.ac.uk>
>> I recently bought a Belkin 10/100 5-port ethernet
>> switch (product number F5D5131-5). [...]
> 
> That's the first mistake.  Belkin :-/
> 
>> Does anyone recognise this behaviour on the part of
>> Belkin switches?
> 
> How hot is it?

I carried out a somewhat crude experiment earlier today.
First, following regular heat-stroke on the part of the
Belkin switch, I had replaced it a couple of days ago
with a PEAK CAS4047 "SOHO WAN/LAN Router" which I had
lying around (but wanted to keep aside for another purpose,
hence buying the Belkin). This has 1 WAN ethernet port (for
connecting to a cable modem) and 4 LAN ethernet ports,
and the latter work fine in the "switch" role.

Feeling the case of this while it was running, it was
perceptibly warm (but felt no more so that a cat's belly).

So, first of all, I put a thermometer with its bulb in
contact with the warmest pert of the case, and in due
course registered about 110F (43C). The ambient air
temperature was 82F (28C). The PEAK had been working fine
for the two days since connection.

Then I disconnected the PEAK and replaced it with the Belkin,
in exactly the same position. After about 8min, once again it
failed to function as a switch (nothing getting through) though
the two LEDs for the active cable ports were still flashing.
Then, a few minutes later, these both went out. All as before.

The hottest part of the casing felt hot rather than warm.
though not hot enough to make you want to let go of it.
I left it switched on, then applied the thermometer again.
This time it registered 128F (53C).

So that's my rough estimate of "how hot it is"

>  Despite its label saying "designed in California"
> I've found my Belkin router to be exceptionally sensitive to heat,
> the first thing to crash and one of the first power supplies to
> fail last summer.  I run it upside down (air vents are on the
> underneath) and try to keep my house cool using tricks I'm adding
> to http://mjr.towers.org.uk/blog/2006/lynn#howtonotmelt at the mo.

Interesting article! And, hidden under "Understand your building"
is a little remark which leads me on to my Medical Tip of the Day.

You're probably aware of recent occupational health warnings
about the risk of acquiring DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) through
sitting too long at a computer.

I doubt, however, that many of us have observed this amongst our
true geek acquaintances, despite their adhesion to their screens.
I put this down, in my view, to their caffeine dependence.

I assert that caffeine is a good preventative of DVT in computer
users.

Prescription: One mug of strong black coffee (or, if preferred,
  of very strong black tea), with optional sugar. Dosage: at least
  one per hour.

Instructions: Make sure that the computer is not on the same
  floor as the loo.

> Hope that helps,

And I hope that helps too!

Best wishes,
Ted.

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Date: 02-Jul-06                                       Time: 16:09:05
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