| The network switch plays an integral role in | | | | cheaper than the fully managed breed. Some basic |
| enterprise and home networking, yet many people | | | | functions often found on a smart switch are turning |
| confuse what the purpose of the equipment is, and | | | | some particular port range on or off, link speed and |
| how it differs from a router. I decided to write this | | | | duplex settings and priority settings for ports |
| blog post to explain the basics of the switch - from | | | | - Enterprise Managed Switches: Enterprise switches |
| different types, to vendors for purchasing them. | | | | are the more configurable and expensive version of |
| A brief overview of network switches | | | | managed switches. They are most often found in |
| A network switch is a type of computer networking | | | | enterprise networks among several other switches. |
| hardware that bridges network segments. It is | | | | They are more efficient for large business where |
| sometimes referred to as a packet switch or simply | | | | accessing a central administration module can save |
| a switch. The switch plays an important component | | | | time and money. Some advanced functions for |
| in most local area networks (LAN), including | | | | enterprise switches are VLAN settings, link |
| mid-to-large enterprise networks which utilize several | | | | aggregation and port mirroring. |
| linked managed switches. | | | | Buying switches |
| A switch is far less sophisticated than a router. | | | | There are several brand name switch manufacturers |
| Although routers and switches look fairly similar in | | | | that provide competing and differentiated products, |
| appearance, routers differ substantially in their internal | | | | including Cisco, 3Com, and Alcatel. While switches can |
| components. | | | | be purchased out of the box from online retailers, |
| | | | one way to save money is to find a used switch |
| Types of network switches | | | | from an online reseller. A business purchaser can |
| Unmanaged Switches: This is typically the least | | | | often save thousands of dollars purchasing used cisco |
| expensive type of switch, most often found in | | | | or other brand name network hardware. |
| homes or small offices. They are very simple, | | | | If you do decide to go the route of an online reseller, |
| employing plug and play technology, lacking any | | | | be sure to check for several qualifying factors to |
| specific configuration options | | | | make sure they are a good fit. One factor is a good |
| Managed Switches: Managed Switches provide | | | | warranty, as it is always a risk to buy used |
| optional configuration options and allow for a great | | | | equipment. Another is significant discounts (at least |
| variety of functionality. There are several ways to | | | | 50%) off of retail pricing. The third factor I |
| operate these switches, from utilizing a remote tool | | | | recommend seeking in an online network hardware |
| like Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), to | | | | vendor is good customer support. The ability to |
| accessing the switch via a command line interface like | | | | speak to a human being for help with your purchase |
| Telnet. | | | | is underrated. |
| - Smart Switches: Smart switches differ from fully | | | | I hope this ‘basic switch support’ post helps |
| managed switches in that they only allow a specific | | | | out those that are confused or looking for a way to |
| set of modifications and functionality. Because users | | | | purchase a switch. |
| can only configure basics settings, they are often | | | | |