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Forum Discussion
jziggity
Jul 04, 2025Tutor
Use ProSafe switch as unmanaged?
This is probably a very niche setup request, but I am looking to acquire a gently used 48 port unmanaged switch for home use. I currently have a D-Link 24 port unmanaged switch, which still works fi...
- Jul 06, 2025
jziggity wrote:
Is it really that easy?
Yes. The reset takes you back to the default config - which works perfectly as an unmanaged switch. Changing the management password is a security precaution (intended to prevent a bad actor on your network from changing the switch behavior).
StephenB
Jul 05, 2025Guru
jziggity wrote:If there is an easy way to disable just about every smart management feature, I'm all ears.
You can just reset the switch, change the management password and then ignore the management features.
If you google the model number and add "support" you'll find the Netgear support page that has all the manuals. Info on how to do the above steps is in the manual.
For instance, googling s3300 support will give you this page:
- https://www.netgear.com/support/product/s3300-52x%20gs752tx/
jziggity
Jul 06, 2025Tutor
Thank you for that info. I did find the documentation that you referred to. Having never worked with a smart switch before, I wasn't sure if there were any other steps to take to ignore/deactivate any/all of the managed features. Is it really that easy?
I may end up going the route of an unmanaged switch anyway, to avoid hardware with fans. The noise won't be an issue, but for the very low end home network that I am running, I don't think having a unit with fans spinning 24/7 is worth it if I can pick up a fanless unmanaged switch and end up with lower power consumption.
I do appreciate the feedback and help from the group here, especially over a holiday weekend!
- StephenBJul 06, 2025Guru
jziggity wrote:
Is it really that easy?
Yes. The reset takes you back to the default config - which works perfectly as an unmanaged switch. Changing the management password is a security precaution (intended to prevent a bad actor on your network from changing the switch behavior).
- schumakuJul 07, 2025Guru
48 ports and fanless? There is not much choice left then. Even less when considering that options for at least PoE+, and when thinking about that more and more networks operate on MultiGig, where the S3300 switches are limited with SFP+ ports operating on 1000 and 10GBase-X, not the most future-proof investment, while having 10/100/1000Base-T RJ45 ports. These are the reasons why these 10+ years old boxes are selling for a small price.
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