I am a happy owner of a TSW200 switch in a low-traffic and low-power network. It is fast, requires no configuration, powers several devices in the network, doesn’t break others, consumes little, and stays cool.
That switch has recently refused to accept a computer into the network with an Azuz Prime Z270-K motherboard and an onboard Intel I219-V Gigabit LAN. When the Ethernet cable is connected, the switch stops all traffic. All its LEDs go dark. Then, they start blinking in unison with consistent pauses between blinks. Of course, I tried powering the switch off. I also tried changing the patch cord. The motherboard can be connected directly to the router but not to the switch. I mitigated the problem by introducing a spare router in access point mode as a non-PoE switch between the computer and the TSW200.
I also had other issues with this motherboard, so I am suspicious. I am considering buying a PCIe Ethernet card to avoid using the onboard port. Could there be any recommendations for compatibility requirements that I should look for when shopping for a networking card or a replacement motherboard? Or should any new card of appropriate quality work? Then, testing seems the only option.
While the wiki pages have some information on the compatibility of PoE devices, it does not seem to address the described situation.
Could you please confirm if your switch is operating on the latest firmware version (1.04.1)? If not, please update it. You can download the firmware from the following link: TSW202 Firmware Downloads.
Have you checked the logs when the issue you described occurs? You can do this via WebUI by navigating to System → Maintenance → Troubleshoot and clicking Show next to the Events Log. Alternatively, you can log in via SSH/CLI, execute logread -f, and then attempt to connect the device causing the issue. This will allow you to see the logs in real-time.
For more information on issues related to TSW202 PoE, please refer to the following resources:
I looked through TSW202 firmware changelog. There are a few changes that improve PoE operation when PoE devices are connected. However, the suspect motherboard causes TSW200 to halt the network and start blinking despite the fact that the motherboard is not a PoE device, and even when no other devices are connected. So, I suspect that there is something wrong specifically with the onboard LAN implementation on that motherboard. What might be wrong with the motherboard, however, may or may not depend on how TSW200 probes a newly connected device.
The issue happens immediately when the motherboard is powered or, if it is already powered, when the Ethernet cable is plugged in. The computer does not need to be turned on.
It does not look like TSW200 could be affected by other issues or CVEs mentioned in TSW202 firmware changelog. TSW200, while similar to TSW202, is an unmanaged switch. This fits my use case perfectly because TSW200 does not expose HTTP, SSH, or other services reducing the attack surface and relieving me from firmware maintenance and configuration administration. The wiki pages for TSW200 mention no way for the end user to flash firmware.
So, if there is a newer firmware for TSW200 to which the device is necessary to upgrade, I would need tech support. For the reference, considering TSW200 product hardware change notifications, this device was manufactured some time in July — September 2024.