1. Introduction
The TP-LINK Festa FS308G is an 8-Port Gigabit Smart/Unmanaged Desktop Switch designed to expand your network capacity with high-speed connectivity. Featuring 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports, this switch provides a simple, cost-effective, high-performance, non-disruptive, and standard-compliant upgrade to an old network to a 1000Mbps network. It supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) on all 8 ports, simplifying the deployment of PoE-powered devices such as IP cameras, wireless access points, and VoIP phones.
Figure 1: Front view of the TP-LINK Festa FS308GP Switch
2. Package Contents
Before you begin installation, ensure that your package contains the following items:
- TP-LINK Festa FS308G 8-Port Gigabit Smart Switch
- Power Adapter
- Power Cord
- Rubber Feet
- Mounting Kit (for wall-mount or rack-mount, if applicable)
- Quick Installation Guide
Figure 2: Switch and Accessories
3. Physical Description
3.1 Front Panel
The front panel features 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports and various LED indicators for status monitoring.
Figure 3: Front Panel Layout
LED Indicators:
- Power LED: Indicates the power status of the switch.
- PoE MAX LED: Indicates if the total PoE power budget is nearing or exceeding its limit.
- PoE Status LEDs (per port): Indicates if a port is delivering PoE power.
- Speed/Link/Act LEDs (per port): Indicates link status, activity, and connection speed (e.g., green for Gigabit, amber for 10/100Mbps).
- Reset Button: Used to restore factory default settings.
3.2 Rear Panel
The rear panel includes the power input connector and a grounding screw.
Figure 4: Rear Panel Layout
4. Setup and Installation
4.1 Safety Precautions
- Ensure the power supply voltage matches the switch's requirements.
- Do not block ventilation openings.
- Avoid placing the switch in direct sunlight, near heat sources, or in excessively humid environments.
- Use only the provided power adapter.
4.2 Physical Placement
The switch can be placed on a desktop, mounted on a wall, or installed in a rack, depending on your needs and the included accessories.
Desktop Placement:
Place the switch on a flat, stable surface. Attach the included rubber feet to the bottom of the switch to prevent slipping and provide stability.
Wall Mounting:
If wall mounting, use the provided mounting kit. Ensure the wall can support the weight of the switch and connected cables. Mark two points on the wall, drill holes, insert anchors, and secure the mounting screws, leaving a small gap for the switch's mounting slots.
4.3 Connecting the Switch
- Connect Network Devices: Connect your network devices (computers, servers, IP cameras, Wi-Fi APs, VoIP phones, etc.) to any of the 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports using standard Ethernet cables. For PoE-powered devices, ensure they are PoE-compatible.
- Connect to Power: Connect the provided power adapter to the switch's power input port on the rear panel, then plug the power adapter into a suitable electrical outlet.
- Verify Power: Once powered on, the Power LED on the front panel should illuminate.
Figure 5: Basic Network Connection
Figure 6: PoE Connection with IP Cameras
Figure 7: PoE Connection with Wi-Fi Access Points
5. Operating the Switch
The TP-LINK Festa FS308G is an unmanaged switch, meaning it operates plug-and-play without requiring complex configuration. Once connected, it automatically detects network speeds and provides power to connected PoE devices.
5.1 LED Status Interpretation
- Power LED:
- On: The switch is powered on.
- Off: The switch is powered off.
- PoE MAX LED:
- On: The total PoE power consumption is at or near the maximum budget.
- Flashing: The total PoE power consumption has exceeded the maximum budget, and some PoE ports may be shut down.
- Off: PoE power consumption is within normal limits.
- PoE Status LEDs (per port):
- On: The port is supplying PoE power to a connected device.
- Off: The port is not supplying PoE power.
- Speed/Link/Act LEDs (per port):
- Green (Solid): A Gigabit (1000Mbps) link is established.
- Green (Flashing): Data is being transmitted or received at Gigabit speed.
- Amber (Solid): A 10/100Mbps link is established.
- Amber (Flashing): Data is being transmitted or received at 10/100Mbps speed.
- Off: No device is connected to the port, or the connected device is powered off.
6. Maintenance
6.1 Cleaning
- Always disconnect the power before cleaning.
- Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the exterior of the switch.
- Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.
6.2 Environmental Considerations
- Ensure adequate ventilation around the switch to prevent overheating.
- Operate the switch within the specified temperature and humidity ranges (refer to Specifications section).
6.3 Resetting the Switch
If the switch is not functioning correctly, you can perform a factory reset. With the switch powered on, use a paperclip or similar pointed object to press and hold the Reset button on the front panel for approximately 5-10 seconds until the LEDs flash. The switch will then reboot with factory default settings.
7. Troubleshooting
7.1 No Power
- Ensure the power cord is securely connected to the switch and the power outlet.
- Verify that the power outlet is functional.
- Check if the power adapter is working correctly.
7.2 No Link/Activity on a Port
- Check the Ethernet cable connection at both ends. Try a different cable.
- Ensure the connected device is powered on and functioning correctly.
- Verify that the network adapter of the connected device is enabled.
- Try connecting the device to a different port on the switch.
7.3 Slow Network Speed
- Ensure all connected devices and cables support Gigabit Ethernet for optimal performance.
- Check for excessive network traffic or bandwidth-intensive applications.
- Verify that the Speed/Link/Act LED for the port indicates a Gigabit connection (Green).
7.4 PoE Device Not Receiving Power
- Ensure the connected device is a PoE-compatible device (PD).
- Check the PoE Status LED for the port; it should be On.
- Verify that the total PoE power consumption is not exceeding the switch's budget (check PoE MAX LED). If it's flashing, disconnect some PoE devices or use a higher-power PoE switch.
- Try a different Ethernet cable.
8. Specifications
Figure 8: Technical Specifications
Figure 9: PoE Budget and Power Consumption
Figure 10: Product Dimensions
Figure 11: Environmental Specifications
General
- Ports: 8 x 10/100/1000Mbps RJ45 Ports (Auto-Negotiation/Auto MDI/MDIX)
- PoE Ports: 8 Ports (PoE+)
- PoE Standard: IEEE 802.3af/at compliant
- PoE Power Budget: Refer to Figure 9 for detailed budget.
- Switching Capacity: 16 Gbps
- Packet Forwarding Rate: 11.9 Mpps
- MAC Address Table: 4K entries
- Jumbo Frame: 9KB
- Power Supply: External Power Adapter (Output: 53.5VDC / 1.31A)
- Dimensions (W x D x H): Refer to Figure 10 for detailed dimensions.
Environmental
- Operating Temperature: 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)
- Storage Temperature: -40°C to 70°C (-40°F to 158°F)
- Operating Humidity: 10% to 90% non-condensing
- Storage Humidity: 5% to 90% non-condensing
Certifications
- CE, FCC, RoHS
Figure 12: Certifications
9. User Tips
- For optimal performance, use high-quality Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cables for all connections.
- When connecting PoE devices, ensure the total power consumption does not exceed the switch's PoE budget to avoid unexpected shutdowns or instability.
- Place the switch in a location with good airflow to prevent overheating, especially if many PoE devices are connected.
- If experiencing network issues, a simple power cycle of the switch and connected devices can often resolve temporary glitches.
10. Warranty and Support
TP-LINK provides a limited warranty for this product. Please refer to the official TP-LINK website or the warranty card included in your package for detailed warranty terms and conditions specific to your region.
Technical Support
For technical support, firmware updates, and additional resources, please visit the official TP-LINK support website. You can typically find FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and contact information for customer service there.
Figure 13: TP-LINK SMB Warranty Information
Figure 14: TP-LINK After-Sales Information
