The Different Types of Network Switches

A managed switch is exactly what it sounds like—a switch that requires some oversight by a network administrator. This type of switch gives you total control over the traffic accessing your network while allowing you to custom-configure each Ethernet port so you get maximum efficiency over data transfers on the network. Administrators can tweak these devices for optimal data rate as new devices and users are added to the network through commands such as bandwidth rate limiting and port mirroring. Managed switches are also typically the best network switches to support the Gigabit standard of Ethernet rather than traditional Fast Ethernet.

Many administrators use managed switches to create virtual local area networks (VLANs), which allow you to further segment your network and control the traffic burden for each type of connected device. Another benefit of a managed switch setup is that the majority of managed switches are designed with Spanning Tree Protocol (STP). This enables administrators to perform quality of service (QoS) duties and access the switch remotely to make adjustments without having to be in the same physical location as the switch. Managed switches are often higher in cost than their unmanaged counterparts, but the payoff is that you have the freedom to create a network that runs at peak efficiency customized to the specifications of the unique devices on it.