Why It Is Recommended To Have High-Performance Switches For A Network
Network switches are devices that connect different parts of a computer network. Switches allow more efficient data transfer and handle larger traffic loads than hubs. For these reasons, it is vital to use high-performance switches in your network. That ensures you get the best experience possible, with faster speeds and reliable connections.
But before looking at the reasons to invest in high-performance switches, understand what they are and why you need one. Identifying the types of switches and their features is the first step in determining which one will be right for your network.
Network Switches and Their Applications
You already understand that switches help to enhance the speed of data transfer and handle large traffic loads on hubs, but they also provide other advantages. With advanced features, you can set up security protocols to protect the data in your network and monitor activities across all connected devices. Here are the types of network switches you must know about to make informed investment decisions.
Managed Switches
Businesses running more complex networks require managed switches with advanced features like Quality of Service, VLANs, and bandwidth control. They also provide advanced security protocols and remote management capabilities to monitor the activity on all connected machines. Network Packet Brokers help in filtration, segmentation, load balancing, and traffic replication.
Unmanaged Switches
These ones are the most basic and come with minimal features. They provide simple plug-and-play support and are best suited for small networks with no complex business requirements. For instance, a home network can do with an unmanaged switch.
Smart Switches
Intelligence is the ability to learn and adapt quickly. As the name suggests, these switches come with automated management capabilities that allow them to make decisions. They are more advanced than unmanaged but simpler than managed switches. Scalability and flexibility are two advantages that come with these switches.
PoE Injectors
These switches enable you to share power over Ethernet cables, which makes them an ideal choice for multiple applications, including IP cameras, wireless access points, and VoIP phones. They eliminate the need for several bulky power cables, saving money and improving your network’s efficiency.
High-performance switches comprise hardware solutions that enhance your experience. The managed switches offer you the best performance, the most robust security protocols, and the highest level of control. As such, you can rely on them to perform better than unmanaged and Smart switches.
Advantages Of High-Performance Switches
Why would you need high-performance (managed) switches for your network? Here are the advantages that you can expect from them.
1. Superior Performance
High-performance switches allow you to control your network’s speed and bandwidth based on the type of traffic. That ensures all transfers take place at optimum speeds and there is no lag. You can achieve this by allowing connectivity to various devices according to priority.
Computers hosting mission-critical applications get priority for faster transfer speeds, whereas those used to access the Internet at leisure can move data at lower bandwidths. There is no need to share the same bandwidth speed with people using their devices to stream movies with business-critical applications.
Also, since you can control the number of active ports, you can be sure nobody can use your network without authorization. That way, you can protect your network from malicious attacks and improve the performance of authorized users.
2. Enhanced Security
High-performance switches come with robust security protocols you can configure to protect business data. These switches provide options, such as MAC filtering, SSIDs, and VLANs, to control access. With these features, you can be sure that no unauthorized devices can gain access to your network.
Monitoring your devices is also easier by having the ability to analyze traffic patterns, detect malicious activities, and take prompt action. For instance, you can spot an infected device and isolate it from the rest of your network to prevent further damage.
3. Improved Network Reliability
Managed switches make it easy to keep your network running by allowing you to monitor and control it remotely. That way, you do not have to be physically present in the server room to troubleshoot any issue. But you must first activate the remote management feature on the switch for the system to allow you to take control.
The switches have various features to adjust the speed and bandwidth, monitor network activities, and control user access. That way, you can ensure the entire system is running optimally at all times. For instance, blocking a port can help prevent a computer from accessing the network. That way, you only allow authorized users to access the network at the best speeds.
4. Cost Savings
Advanced network switches will be costly when setting up your network. However, the cost savings you will experience in the long run make it a worthwhile investment. It is a one-time expense that will save you from recurrent maintenance costs in the future.
These high-performance switches provide higher power efficiency and a longer lifespan than their counterparts. That means you do not have to replace them anytime soon, ensuring your network remains up and running for many years. Also, managed switches are more secure than traditional ones. The protection keeps your business data safe, eliminating the need to pay for extra security measures.
5. Easier Management
Managed switches are the best choice for networks with multiple devices and users. The switches come with a suite of features that make it easy to maintain and troubleshoot the network in case of issues. It allows you to monitor and control the connectivity from a single point, ensuring that all devices are running optimally.
Unlike unmanaged switches that only provide a connectivity interface, managed switches offer a wide range of features. That includes live monitoring, configuring ports and settings, controling traffic flow, tracking user activity, and isolating malfunctioning devices.
In Summary
Networking switches are essential components of any local area network. High-performance switches offer the best speeds, enhanced security measures, improved network reliability, cost savings, and easier management than their traditional counterparts. With these features, you can be sure your business will get the best performance and security.