We examine YuanLey's no-frills 8-port 5GbE switch featuring Realtek's RTL9303 silicon, passive cooling, and basic rack-mount design for budget-conscious networking.
The networking landscape continues evolving with 5GbE technology bridging the gap between 2.5GbE affordability and 10GbE performance. YuanLey's YS50-0800 enters this space as a value-focused 8-port switch leveraging Realtek's RTL9303 switch chip. This 1U rack-mountable device targets users needing cost-effective multi-gig connectivity without complex management features.
Hardware Design Overview
The YS50-0800 adopts minimalist industrial design with a steel chassis measuring 280mm x 180mm x 44mm. Front panel labeling clearly identifies all eight 5GbE RJ45 ports with dual-color LEDs indicating link status (green) and activity (amber). The fully passive cooling system relies on side venting 
and elevated metal feet 
for convection airflow, making it suitable for office environments.
Power comes from an integrated 36W internal PSU with standard IEC C14 inlet. The rear panel contains only the power connector and grounding point, maintaining the device's focus on simplicity. Included rack ears support standard 19" cabinet installation.
Internal Architecture
Opening the chassis reveals a two-board design:
- Power Board: Dedicated AC/DC converter delivering 12V output
- Main Board: Hosts the switching infrastructure with eight magnetic transformers and PHYs
The Realtek RTL9303 switch ASIC handles packet processing under an aluminum heatsink. This chip typically supports 10GbE operation but here operates at 5GbE speeds. External DDR3 memory (256MB ESMT module) assists with buffer management. The RTL9303 integrates:
- 8x 10GbE SerDes interfaces
- Layer 2+ switching features
- 128KB shared packet buffer
Performance Characteristics
While formal benchmark data wasn't provided, Realtek RTL9303 implementations typically deliver:
| Metric | Expected Performance |
|---|---|
| Switching Capacity | 80Gbps (non-blocking) |
| Forwarding Rate | 59.5 Mpps |
| Latency | < 2μs (store-and-forward) |
| Power Draw (Idle) | ~8-10W |
| Power Draw (Full Load) | ~15-18W |
The passive design keeps noise at 0 dB but requires ambient temperatures below 40°C for sustained operation. Jumbo frame support (up to 9KB) improves large file transfer efficiency.
Deployment Considerations
This switch suits:
- Homelabs connecting 5GbE NAS devices
- Small office backbone networks
- Workstation aggregation
Limitations include no VLAN support, QoS, or management interfaces. For basic unmanaged switching, the YS50-0800 provides affordable 5GbE connectivity. Current pricing positions it as a budget alternative to managed options like the QNAP QSW-1105-5T or Zyxel XGS1010-12.
The YuanLey YS50-0800 exemplifies the commoditization of 5GbE technology. Its no-frills implementation delivers core functionality at accessible pricing, though advanced users may prefer managed alternatives. As Realtek-based designs mature, they'll continue driving multi-gig adoption in price-sensitive segments.
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