Agreed! Many switch chips support VLANs, and I've wondered if any of these are hackable to add a microcontroller which could program that chip and provide a configuration interface.
I spent days waiting for them to come in stock. A number of times I received an email from UI Notify, only to be too late getting to the buy button. Then, yesterday, I finally got in before they were sold out again. It seems like this is a very sought after item!
I got the flex mini but have hardly used it because of its limitations.. Looks like this upgraded 2.5 version has the features I want and mostly the VLAN support. Might get one in the future.
I'm on TP-Link's Omada platform and need a cheap 2.5GbE switch with VLAN support. Don't really care for the rest of the fancy enterprise features. Right now the cheapest option is the SG3210X-M2, which happens to be a whopping $232 USD. Not something I'm gonna throw behind the home theater console. Yes, they do have unmanaged 2.5GbE switches in the $80 range, but no VLAN support is a deal breaker.
They're finally responding to the original Flex Mini with the ES205G and ES205GP, so fingers crossed they will see the 2.5G Flex Mini and get something out soon
@@BenjaminLeung Those switches do not support 2.5GbE. According to TP-Link's web site these switches are "5× 10/100/1000Mbps RJ45 ports (4× 802.3at/af-compliant PoE+)". Though they do support VLANs.
@@BenjaminLeung Those aren't even out yet and are not much different than the existing SG2008 and SG2008P. If they're only now noticing the 2.5GbE flex mini, then we won't have anything small and affordable for another year.
From a technical standpoint. What might be the reason for those limitations and missing features? Are they using a lower cost chip inside that likes those?
They want to sell their more expensive switches of course. The same reason Apple doesn’t make the “SE” as good as their flagships even though they easily could.
@@estusflask982 Many times the actual switch chip(s) can be programmed for more features, such as VLANs, but that requires a controller that can run a configuration interface and translate that to program the switch chip(s) and that requires flash storage to store the code and the user entered configuration, more complicated circuit board and trace routing, different/additional RFI and EMI considerations for certification and higher power requirements, etc. Then that software stack needs documented, supported, etc. (Former router+switch firmware engineer.)
still waiting for a cheaper managed switch @ sfp+ 2-4x 4-8 poe 2.5 slots. 1g is so last year. the unifi gateway doesn't help me id rather just run a mini pc with op/pfsense facing out with the firewall. than hanging a device behind the gateway, where it has to loop in out and back out again... but for sure still great price for its size will grab one for the desk
День назад
It's so close to perfection for me. If only it also had PoE passtrgough. Otherwise it looks like a solid offering.
@@franzpleurmann2585It puts everything behind a single pane of glass. Rather than having to go to three different IP addresses to separately configure three different devices, you go to your single instance of your controller software and configure them all at once from there. It then also makes down the line issues much easier such as adding additional devices or replacing failed ones, adding VLANs that are correctly recognized and handled by all parts of the network, etc.
@@franzpleurmann2585the controller usually comes with a Ubiquiti router like the dream machine, it is meant to put all the information and settings in one location. Rather than going to each device and setting settings. You can do it all from one interface. But you can run the controller by itself in docker or something like that
This router is really a killer deal with no other vendors offering managed 2.5 gbps switches in this price range. Even the cheap noname chinese brands. Great move from Unifi to 1) listen to customers and 2) provide an affordable on ramp into the ecosystem.
Why wouldn't you just buy the switch instead of having to say that you're taking gifts from the company you're reviewing? Take a cue from Project Farm and buy the stuff you review.
You can’t get pre-release units at retail and being able to publish early is important. That’s the reason that so many reviewers get test units from manufacturers. I think you’d have a hard time convincing many people that the likes of Hardware Unboxed are being bought with their review samples. Further, Tom runs an MSP/consulting business that deploys a lot of Ubiquiti hardware. He’s got a business relationship with them anyway. If him getting a review sample is enough to make you not trust him then I can’t see why his business wouldn’t do that already. I and many others value Tom’s opinion and to a great extent that comes from his wealth of experience. But that experience comes with having a relationship with the vendor. If that sort of thing means you can’t trust a source (which is obviously fine) then this channel is not and never will be for you.
Thanks and while we do mostly buy the gear, the exceptions are the early release equipment that we get and do provide feedback to Ubiquiti if we find any issues during testing and prior to release.
@@Sco1t_ You refuted yourself right in your own answer: You said "You can’t get pre-release units at retail and being able to publish early is important" If it is so important to get prerelease units then it's so important not to make the company mad. So now your opinions are heavily biased based on your own logic. That's exactly the way the companies buying this advertising (yes, this review is brought to you by unifi's advertising budget) want it to be. The money is laundered through youtube ad sales but it is ad sales that is funded by the company whose products are being given away. That's why you shouldn't accept gifts from those you are "reviewing" Just because it's mainstream doesn't mean it's unethical.
Finally some cheap 2.5G hardware, and yes all of the missing "features" i dont need. This is GREAT !!!!
Perfectly said
And at 49 dollars,it already has more 2.5gbps ports than the 16 port pro max. Lol
Yeah and no Dante support. The pro max switches are intended to have more than the sum of the parts.
@@JamisonStaysAtHome you use network for music transmission? time to educate yourself and do it the proper way.
@@tvojejbabkydedko I work in IT/AV, but thanks for the opinion.
I use option 43 at remote locations for my work. Took a minute to figure out but if you need it, you need it.
That looks awesome. I could use a small VLAN-capable switch or three.
Agreed! Many switch chips support VLANs, and I've wondered if any of these are hackable to add a microcontroller which could program that chip and provide a configuration interface.
Sold out everywhere (
Isn’t UniFi notorious for not meeting initial demand?
The day it was announced within 7hrs I could not find any inventory
I spent days waiting for them to come in stock. A number of times I received an email from UI Notify, only to be too late getting to the buy button. Then, yesterday, I finally got in before they were sold out again. It seems like this is a very sought after item!
This is the case w/ most of their products. Don’t know why anyone would use them.
It would have been nice if you could have done some RW bandwidth testing to check out it's actual throughput.
I got the flex mini but have hardly used it because of its limitations.. Looks like this upgraded 2.5 version has the features I want and mostly the VLAN support. Might get one in the future.
the regular flex mini has vlan support. or are you referring to more blank options?
Needs one PoE out so you can power a U7 AP
So tempting with frontier offering high speed fiber
I'm hoping TP-LINK will respond with their own version for Omada.
I'm on TP-Link's Omada platform and need a cheap 2.5GbE switch with VLAN support. Don't really care for the rest of the fancy enterprise features. Right now the cheapest option is the SG3210X-M2, which happens to be a whopping $232 USD. Not something I'm gonna throw behind the home theater console. Yes, they do have unmanaged 2.5GbE switches in the $80 range, but no VLAN support is a deal breaker.
They're finally responding to the original Flex Mini with the ES205G and ES205GP, so fingers crossed they will see the 2.5G Flex Mini and get something out soon
@@BenjaminLeung Those switches do not support 2.5GbE. According to TP-Link's web site these switches are "5× 10/100/1000Mbps RJ45 ports (4× 802.3at/af-compliant PoE+)". Though they do support VLANs.
@@BenjaminLeung Those aren't even out yet and are not much different than the existing SG2008 and SG2008P. If they're only now noticing the 2.5GbE flex mini, then we won't have anything small and affordable for another year.
Pity no 802.1x - thats a deal breaker. Other wise we could put a load of these out there.
From a technical standpoint. What might be the reason for those limitations and missing features?
Are they using a lower cost chip inside that likes those?
They want to sell their more expensive switches of course. The same reason Apple doesn’t make the “SE” as good as their flagships even though they easily could.
@@curtispavlovec So it's the same hardware, they just leave out the software?
It keeps the price lower using less capable hardware.
@@LAWRENCESYSTEMS I mean, they don't have a similar form factor switch at any price
@@estusflask982 Many times the actual switch chip(s) can be programmed for more features, such as VLANs, but that requires a controller that can run a configuration interface and translate that to program the switch chip(s) and that requires flash storage to store the code and the user entered configuration, more complicated circuit board and trace routing, different/additional RFI and EMI considerations for certification and higher power requirements, etc. Then that software stack needs documented, supported, etc. (Former router+switch firmware engineer.)
Need a POE version for my U7 Pro's. Sweet to see this supports vlans
0:01 Quick note: the original Flex Mini was launched in early 2020, so 4.5 years ago.
Wow, I forgot it was that long ago.
I want one, to replace my mini 1Gbps, to combo with my sg-4100
still waiting for a cheaper managed switch @ sfp+ 2-4x 4-8 poe 2.5 slots. 1g is so last year. the unifi gateway doesn't help me id rather just run a mini pc with op/pfsense facing out with the firewall. than hanging a device behind the gateway, where it has to loop in out and back out again... but for sure still great price for its size will grab one for the desk
It's so close to perfection for me. If only it also had PoE passtrgough. Otherwise it looks like a solid offering.
No SSH is a dealbreaker for me
Going to miss PoE passthrough as we drift towards 2.5 GbE links for WiFi APs.
Yeah. At first I thought it would be perfect for getting 2.5G extra ports at one of my Wifi 6APs, but without PoE passtrough it's a miss for me.
injector until they come out with PoE Lite 2.5
If I upgrade the office to 2.5Gbit these would be useful, but for now I just don't see a need for that.
What's option 43
No SNMP still... 😢
Does it support IGMP snooping in case you need it for your TV provider?
I don't think so
pitty it doesn have POE to power wifi7APs.
only if Unifi would offer free shipping!!
They used to, then they got greedy.
@@estusflask982 I know right. I just bought it yesterday and it came out to be 62$ including taxes and shipping!
Nice review , I would edit this video and reupload it , The flex mini released around April 2020(4.5 Years ago)
It's an oversight on the previous product, but the review is about the current model.
Nice. 49b for 2.5G, hey...
I'm new to Ubiquiti products. Do I need additional hardware to use the management features on the flex 2,5G?
You do need to at least be running their free controller software to manage it.
@@LAWRENCESYSTEMS I see. Whats the rational behind externalizing the management software? Cost savings?
@@franzpleurmann2585It puts everything behind a single pane of glass. Rather than having to go to three different IP addresses to separately configure three different devices, you go to your single instance of your controller software and configure them all at once from there. It then also makes down the line issues much easier such as adding additional devices or replacing failed ones, adding VLANs that are correctly recognized and handled by all parts of the network, etc.
@@franzpleurmann2585the controller usually comes with a Ubiquiti router like the dream machine, it is meant to put all the information and settings in one location. Rather than going to each device and setting settings. You can do it all from one interface.
But you can run the controller by itself in docker or something like that
@@franzpleurmann2585 Scalability, you can manages hundreds of devices via one self hostable control plane.
This router is really a killer deal with no other vendors offering managed 2.5 gbps switches in this price range. Even the cheap noname chinese brands.
Great move from Unifi to 1) listen to customers and 2) provide an affordable on ramp into the ecosystem.
There are plenty of cheap chinese web managed switches at this price point, and with 1 or 2 SFP+ ports for some 10GbE uplinks and whatnot.
This isn't a router.
@@Chris-hy6jy It is. It's VLAN capable. It routes traffic. By definition a router.
@@sonacphotos across vlans? No.
@@Chris-hy6jy It's not a Level 3 switch no
Glad i didnt order a bunch of $60 chinese switches.
First
Why wouldn't you just buy the switch instead of having to say that you're taking gifts from the company you're reviewing? Take a cue from Project Farm and buy the stuff you review.
You can’t get pre-release units at retail and being able to publish early is important. That’s the reason that so many reviewers get test units from manufacturers. I think you’d have a hard time convincing many people that the likes of Hardware Unboxed are being bought with their review samples.
Further, Tom runs an MSP/consulting business that deploys a lot of Ubiquiti hardware. He’s got a business relationship with them anyway. If him getting a review sample is enough to make you not trust him then I can’t see why his business wouldn’t do that already.
I and many others value Tom’s opinion and to a great extent that comes from his wealth of experience. But that experience comes with having a relationship with the vendor. If that sort of thing means you can’t trust a source (which is obviously fine) then this channel is not and never will be for you.
@@Sco1t_ I don't disagree but this was not what I would call a early upload... Most reviews dropped 8 days ago.
Thanks and while we do mostly buy the gear, the exceptions are the early release equipment that we get and do provide feedback to Ubiquiti if we find any issues during testing and prior to release.
@@Sco1t_ You refuted yourself right in your own answer: You said "You can’t get pre-release units at retail and being able to publish early is important" If it is so important to get prerelease units then it's so important not to make the company mad. So now your opinions are heavily biased based on your own logic. That's exactly the way the companies buying this advertising (yes, this review is brought to you by unifi's advertising budget) want it to be. The money is laundered through youtube ad sales but it is ad sales that is funded by the company whose products are being given away.
That's why you shouldn't accept gifts from those you are "reviewing"
Just because it's mainstream doesn't mean it's unethical.
@@zachansen8293Hi, what kind of interesting things did you smoke today? Or did you just wake up this angry? Chill, dude, chill.