Today, networks are critical for supporting businesses, communicating, delivering entertainment, and so on. The network switch is a fundamental component of all networks that connect devices to share resources. A network switch connects devices to a local area network (LAN) and enables them to communicate with one another over the network. It is easy to connect computers, printers, and servers to the same network switch. This increases the network's efficiency and potential throughput.
Whether you run a small business or a large corporation, your network must keep multiple users connected and secure around the clock. How do you choose the best network switch for your needs? Let's go over some of the factors you should think about your network requirements.
- User count: Everything begins with the number of users you need to connect. Remember that a user isn't just a person on a computer – users also include other connected devices such as printers, VoIP phones, surveillance cameras, firewalls, and wireless access points. In general, a larger number of users necessitates more ports and faster transfer speeds.
- Power: In many cases, you will be placing your APs in places where traditional power outlets are difficult to reach. Fortunately, many APs can be powered by Power over Ethernet, also known as PoE. This means they can remain connected and receive power while only using an Ethernet cable.
- Speed: Network switches do not generate speed, but the wrong switch can significantly slow down your network. If you're transferring a large amount of data, you'll want to make sure you have ports that can keep up with your demands for speed.
- Managed vs Unmanaged: Configuring a network switch enables you to improve network performance and security by isolating sensitive data and enabling only active ports to reduce your attack surface. A managed switch allows you to configure, monitor, and manage the devices on your network manually. Unmanaged switches can be useful in low-risk network configurations or as a supplement – for example, adding connections in a conference room
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