Switches are network devices that have been designed to connect end devices (such as computers, printers, access points or scanners) or parts of a network. Switches actually create networks because they enable the connection of the elements of a network. They coordinate network traffic by sending received data frames exclusively to their recipient, thus utilizing connected devices individually.
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Home and Business Switches
Home Switches
Home switches usually combine a reasonable price tag and ease of use without necessitating a complicated setup, making them the optimal solution for homes and small businesses. Just unpack and plug in the switch. The network switch then takes care of everything and connects the computers with other computers and other devices.
Business Switches
Business or enterprise switches offer much more robust and powerful solutions. In addition to usually containing a larger number of ports, they also perform better. These are typically configurable switches, so their commissioning is not so simple, but they can be fully customised and thus optimise the functionality of the entire network. Reach for business switches if you want a long-lasting solution to handle continuous, heavy traffic.
Types of Switches
Desktop - these switches can be placed on a desktop or hung on the wall.
Rack - a rack is a standardised rack system in which network switches are mounted together with other network elements.
Functions of Switches
- PoE (Power over Ethernet) - PoE makes it possible to simultaneously conduct data and power end devices with a single cable. This is supported, for example, by IP cameras, VoIP phones or APs. The switch plays the role of a power supply.
- QoS (Quality of Service) - QoS is a technology that prevents switch congestion by distributing bandwidth among connected clients fairly. It considers the type of data being transferred and the priorities set.
- Managed or Unmanaged Switches - Managed switches give you complete control over the traffic on your network, but they need to be configured correctly by a skilled administrator.
- Stackable - some network switches can be stacked. The stack then acts as a single switch with several ports that have all the sub-elements together.
- VLAN - or virtual LAN is a logically separated network that can be created on the switch. Several of these can be created on each switch, thus dividing it between several networks.
- L2 - the link layer of the ISO/OSI reference model in which all switches operate.
- L3 - routers work primarily in the network layer of the ISO/OSI model, but special L3 switches with routing functions can also do this.
Speed of Switches
- Switching Capacity - defines the switching capability of the network switch. This is de facto one of the parameters defining the switch's performance, but its relationship to performance also depends on the number of ports.
- LAN port bandwidth - expresses the data throughput of one LAN port. Gigabit Ethernet is a higher standard, but many end devices still only include legacy Fast Ethernet. On the other hand, we can also see much faster 10 Gigabit Ethernet in the corporate sphere.
- Packet Capacity - Packet capacity is the amount of 64B packets that the switch can forward in one second.
Ports in Switches
- RJ-45 - standard network connector, which we know from all standard computers and network elements because it meets the requirements of all Ethernet standards.
- SFP - a transmitter-receiver that connects through an electronic interface but uses optical fibres to transmit data.
- 10/100Base-T - Fast Ethernet. This network cable achieves a transmission speed of 100Mbps.
- 10/100/1000Base-T - also called Gigabit Ethernet, its maximum transfer rate is 1000Mbps.
- Dual Personality - these ports have two connectors, one RJ-45 and one SFP. Both connectors cannot be used simultaneously. You can only use one connector at a time.
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