Do I Need A Managed Network Switch For My Business? - By: Serena Heeth

Do I Need A Managed Network Switch For My Business?

While talking about a network we hear a couple of terms quite a lot i.e. Switches and Routers. A network switch is responsible for inter connectivity of the networked devices, while a router is responsible for enabling Internet access for the network users. Both these components are extremely important for setting up and operating a network. However, home based or small scale businesses use unmanaged switches that do not require any sort of configuration and a managed network switch is configurable offering a lot of flexibility and advanced features for operating bigger and extensive networks.

A network cannot be shaped unless it is supported by unmanaged switches as they offer features like reduced noise susceptibility, extended operating temperature, redundant power inputs and several other hardware features that are quite beneficial to a corporate / industrial network or simply saying bigger networks. To cut the long story short, an unmanaged switch is the backbone of network but some networks require real-time, precise, targeted communications that can be provided by managed switches via their built-in additional protocols and software tools. These tools and protocols enhance determinism, and provide a stable and consistent flow of data.

Managed network switches enable complete control of data, bandwidth and traffic control over the Ethernet network therefore; these managed switches are a must implementation for networks that have applications with a requirement of response time within a few milliseconds. Another big advantage of a managed network switch is network back-up plan formally stated as Network redundancy, which means hardly any down time. Managed switches also provide additional protocols like RSTP (Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol) for allowing alternate cabling paths to prevent loop situations, which usually are the reason for network malfunction. There are several tools offered by managed switches as well that can be quite beneficial for network management and maintenance.

Coming back to the actual concern “whether your business needs a managed network switch or not?” As mentioned above the type of data and applications operated in a network determine whether one needs a managed or unmanaged network switches therefore, analyzing the traffic is the best solution for this. There are several protocol analyzers that can be downloaded for free and can be employed for complete monitoring, which eventually helps one understand what tools will suit the concerned applications. Some of the help can also be taken from the devices’ manufacturers’ catalogs or the manufacturers themselves, by confirming what type of traffic will be generated and what protocols will be the best match.

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