TRENDnet TL2-F7080 Review a Cheap 8-Port 10G Web Managed Switch

We are starting up our 10GbE networking reviews again, and for this review, we are taking a look at the TRENDnet TL2-F7080. This is an 8-port 10GbE switch with eight SFP+ ports and some management features. We saw this one as a $199 or so option, making it under $200. It is also the lower port count version of the TRENDnet TL2-F7120 12-port version we reviewed, but that one costs closer to $320 these days for a higher per-port count. Our thought was that, at under $200, this might be an interesting switch to review.

If you just want to find this one, here is an Amazon Affiliate Link to what we purchased.

For 2026, we have a new treat that we are going to show off. You may have seen our high-end Keysight CyPerf box.

TRENDnet TL2-F7080 Hardware Overview

The front of the switch is interesting because it is 210 x 180 x 35mm or 8.27 x 7.09 x 1.38 in.

There is an option that we did not have, to mount two of these in a 1U space using the ETH-F72 kit, but the standard rack ears are offset to put the switch to one side or the other.

For 10″ rack fans, this is the right size to mount, but you will likely need to fabricate a second rack ear to get it secured in a rack.

One of the big features of the switch is the management, so we get a console port. On a low-cost web-managed switch, most folks will configure via the web GUI instead, since this is not a device meant for Cisco-certified professionals to operate. The vast majority of buyers here are likely to be SMB or home users. In those markets where folks have 1-3 switches, web interfaces are king.

There is a reset button on the front of the chassis.

Then we get eight SFP+ ports. Most will want to use these at full 10Gbps speeds. Still, something to keep in mind is that this is only $199 as we are publishing this. Something like a MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN is often under $140, but it also only has four ports. Perhaps this is the biggest point of this entire switch. You get eight ports.

On the side, there are holes for rack ears, but not much else.

The same goes for the other side.

In the rear, we have a fan outlet.

Then there is a DC input for the external power supply. There is also an On/Off switch, which is not standard in this segment, but it is nice to have.

On the bottom, we get the label and markings for where to put rubber feet.

Inside, just due to how the case was constructed, it was a bit difficult to stand up, but you can see a basic single switch chip setup.

Here are the eight SFP+ ports with their light guides for the status LEDs.

The fan is on the top cover of the chassis, which made this more difficult than it needed to be to get inside. We will get to it in our power and noise section, but chalk this fan up as our least favorite feature.

The power board is really interesting. Instead of going directly to the switch PCB, the power switch and DC jack are on their own PCB.

That is attached to the main switch board by this connector. Perhaps if you broke the DC input, you could replace it this way. Let us just call it something we are not accustomed to seeing.

Here is the other side for those that love seeing these things.

Next to the Nanya DRAM package, we have the main switch chip.

We were able to pop off the heatsink.

Here we found a Realtek RTL9303, which is an 8-port 10Gbps switch. Since we have SFP+ cages, we avoid the extra cost and power consumption of 10Gbase-T links, making the layout very easy to understand.

There are plenty of Realtek RTL8231’s here. These are usually to make lights blink.

So Realtek provides a lot of silicon for the switch.

Just for a bit more, here is the back of the PCB.

Next, let us get to the management.