•2 min read•Samaneh Pardaz Soroush
The switch is the heart of every organization’s local network, and choosing the right one affects both the speed and stability of the network and the cost of expanding it in the years ahead. Before you buy, it pays to answer a few simple questions about what your network needs today and tomorrow.
Managed or unmanaged?
Unmanaged switches simply move traffic and are enough for small networks. An enterprise network usually needs a managed switch, so that you have features such as VLANs, quality of service (QoS), port monitoring and access control.
Layer 2 or Layer 3?
A Layer 2 switch is right for the access layer (connecting users). If you want routing between VLANs to happen in the switch itself and take load off the router, consider a Layer 3 switch for the distribution and core layers.
A few more points
- Number and speed of ports: on top of what you need now, keep about 20 to 30 percent spare capacity for growth, and look for 10 Gigabit uplink ports (SFP+).
- PoE: to power IP cameras, VoIP phones and access points, work out the switch’s PoE power budget.
- Stacking: lets you manage several switches as one device and makes redundancy simpler.
- Authenticity and warranty: genuine equipment with proper support and software updates costs less in the long run.
If you are unsure which model is right for your network, our specialists can recommend suitable options based on your project’s layout and needs.
