Network Switches
When it comes to developing a solid understanding of networking, routers and switches are the two most important networking devices that help in the smooth and seamless working of a network system.
Network switches are typically used to attach and interconnect multiple devices within a campus or building on the same network. By using a switch, you can easily connect printers, servers, and PCs together, thereby creating a strong and interconnected network of shared resources. Switches simply function as controllers. They control various devices plugged into them to communicate with each other and share information.
With switches, resource allocation and information sharing are possible. They also help users save money & time and increase productivity significantly. Network switches are also known as bridging hubs, MAC bridge, and switching hub.
Network Switches
we deal with
Unmanaged Switch
Unmanaged switches are generally made as plug-and-play devices and require little to no special installation beyond an Ethernet cable. The setup of this type of switch relies on auto-negotiation between Ethernet devices to enable communication between them. The switch will automatically determine the best data rate to use, switching between full-duplex mode (where data is received or transmitted in two directions at the same time) or half-duplex mode (where data is received or transmitted two ways but only one direction at a time). While some unmanaged switches may be accessed remotely, most will require the admin to physically make broad changes when setting up the switch.
Managed Switch
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.
Smart Switch
Another popular type of switch in networking is the smart switch, also referred to as an intelligent switch. These devices are a type of managed switch with only a select number of options for management. Rather than providing the full management functionality of a managed switch, a smart switch may only provide functionality to configure a handful of settings, like VLANs or duplex modes. If your network will not require a full set of customizations, a smart switch can be a good option. These devices are often more affordable than full managed switches while still offering more customization options compared to unmanaged switches.
PoE Switch/Injector
PoE stands for power over Ethernet. A PoE switch distributes power over the network to different devices. This means any device on the network, from PCs to IP cameras and smart lighting systems, can function without the need to be near an AC access point or router, because the PoE switch sends both data and power to the connected devices. PoE switch creates a PoE network that can support both Ethernet and PoE-enabled devices a PoE injector takes it up a level. The injector takes a device with both PoE and non-PoE switches and uses those to create access points as needed for devices on the network using a Cat 5 or 6 cable to transmit the necessary electricity to function over signal wires.
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