What are network switches? In the most basic terms, they are devices that allow you to connect multiple devices together in a network. By doing so, this gives you the ability to share data and resources between those devices. If you’re looking to purchase a network switch for your business or home office, there are a few features you should consider before making your purchase. In this blog post, we will go over eight features you should look for in a network switch.

 

Port density

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a network switch is port density. This is the number of physical ports that are available on the switch for connecting devices. A higher port density means that more devices can be connected to the switch, which is ideal for larger networks. However, it is also important to consider the type of devices that will be connected to the switch. Some switches have a limited number of ports that support certain types of devices, such as Gigabit Ethernet or 10 Gigabit Ethernet.

 

Switch capacity

1. Switch capacity refers to the amount of data that a switch can handle in a given period of time. This is determined by the bandwidth of the switch and the number of ports it has.

 

2. When choosing a switch, it’s important to consider the future needs of your network. If you anticipate adding more devices or increasing traffic, you’ll need a switch with enough capacity to handle the additional load.

 

3. There are two main types of switches: managed and unmanaged. Managed switches offer more control and features, but they’re also more expensive. Unmanaged switches are less expensive and easier to set up, but they offer fewer features.

 

4. Switches can either be fixed-configuration or modular. Fixed-configuration switches come with a predetermined number of ports, while modular switches allow you to add or remove ports as needed.

 

5. Power over Ethernet (PoE) is another feature to look for in a switch. PoE allows you to power devices using the Ethernet cable, which can be helpful if you don’t have access to power outlets near your devices.

 

Energy efficiency

As data center operators look for ways to reduce their energy consumption, they are turning to energy-efficient network switches. These switches can help data centers save money on their energy bills and reduce their environmental impact.

 

When choosing an energy-efficient switch, data center operators should consider the following features:

 

1. Power over Ethernet (PoE) support: PoE allows network switches to power devices such as IP phones and wireless access points. This can reduce the need for additional power cables and outlets, which can save money and reduce clutter in the data center.

 

2. Low power consumption: Some network switches consume less power than others. Data center operators should consider the power requirements of the switch when choosing an energy-efficient model.

 

3. Energy-saving modes: Many network switches have energy-saving modes that can further reduce their power consumption. Data center operators should check to see if a switch has this feature before making a purchase.

 

Port configuration

The first thing you need to do when configuring your network switch is to set up the ports. There are two ways to do this: manually or using a port scanner. If you’re not sure which ports you need to open, then a port scanner can be a helpful tool. Once you know which ports you need to open, you can either use the built-in port management features in your switch or use a third-party tool.

 

If you’re planning on using the switch for heavy traffic, then you’ll need to make sure that the ports are configured properly. This means opening up the correct ports and setting them to the right speed. You can use a port analyzer to help with this. A port analyzer will give you information about what’s going on with the traffic on each port.

 

Another thing to consider when configuring your ports is how they will be used. For example, if you’re only going to be using the switch for web traffic, then you won’t need to open as many ports as if you were using it for file sharing or gaming. Knowing how you’re going to use the switch will help you determine which ports to open and how to configure them.

 

Scalability

As business needs change and grow, it’s important that the network infrastructure can grow with it. A scalable network is one that can be easily expanded as needed, without having to replace the entire system. When considering a new PoE Network Switch, scalability should be one of the key features to look for.

 

The number of ports is one way to measure a switch’s scalability. For example, a 24-port switch can support up to 24 devices. As your business grows and you need to add more devices to your network, you can simply buy a new switch with more ports. Many switches also come with port expansion modules that can be added on as needed, giving you even more flexibility.

 

Another important factor in scalability is the switching capacity, which is the amount of data that can be moved between devices on the network. This is usually measured in gigabits per second (Gbps). A higher switching capacity means that the switch can handle more data traffic and will be able to support a larger number of users or devices.

 

Finally, look for a switch that offers both physical and software upgrade options. This way, as your business’s needs change, you can easily upgrade the switch without having to replace it entirely.

 

Serviceability

The serviceability of a network switch is an important consideration when choosing a switch for your network. A good switch should be easy to install and configure, and should be able to be upgraded without too much difficulty. It should also be able to provide good performance and uptime, and should be able to be monitored and troubleshot easily.

 

Security

One of the most important considerations when choosing network switches is security. There are a number of features that can help to improve the security of your switch and your network as a whole.

 

One feature to look for is support for industry-standard authentication protocols such as RADIUS and TACACS+. This will allow you to use centralised authentication servers to control access to your network.

 

Another useful feature is port security. This can be used to limit access to specific ports on the switch, or to restrict the types of devices that can be connected to each port.

 

If you are concerned about unauthorised access to your network, you may also want to consider a switch with built-in intrusion detection and prevention capabilities. This will help to detect and prevent malicious activity on your network.

 

Quality of Service (QoS)

The quality of service (QoS) of a network switch is an important consideration when choosing a switch for your business. QoS determines how well the switch can handle different types of traffic, such as video or audio. If you have a lot of video traffic on your network, you will want to choose a poe switch with good QoS capabilities.

 

When looking at the QoS of a switch, there are two main factors to consider:

 

1. How many queues does the switch have?
2. What is the size of each queue?

 

The more queues that a switch has, the better it can handle different types of traffic. Each queue is dedicated to a specific type of traffic, so if you have more queues, then more types of traffic can be handled simultaneously. However, if the queues are too small, then they will fill up quickly and cause delays in traffic.

 

To get an idea of how well a switch can handle different types of traffic, look at the QoS ratings that each switch has. These ratings are based on tests that simulate different types of traffic on the network. The higher the rating, the better the switch performs in those tests.