If you're looking to install a manageable switch with good VLAN support, consider the SMC TigerStack II 6624M. At $29 per port, it's a lot of switch for the money. Stackable up to 16 units, the 6624M enables you to achieve a density of 386 ports, which can be managed from a single IP address. Its nonblocking 9.6-Gbps switch fabric ensures high performance.

The 6624M has 24 fixed auto-MDIX 10/100 ports and two front-panel slots for either 100Base-FX or 1000Base-X (gigabit) modules. The switch supports an entire array of features, including VLANs with GVR, spanning tree protocol, port mirroring, and priority queuing. The comprehensive management manual includes a 50-page description of how to set up VLANs, both static and dynamic.

Switch management is done through a Web browser, telnet, an out-of-band serial connection, or SNMP, or you can use a command line interface.