As home networks become increasingly complex, with more wired and wireless devices, a good wired connection can eliminate the potential weaknesses of a wireless one, while also providing higher speeds, reliability, and operational stability. With most mainstream routers usually offering only four - or sometimes fewer - Ethernet ports, the need for more ports is becoming increasingly common. This is where network Switches come in to fill the gap, giving you more ports to connect your wired devices, as well as some additional advantages that we will see below.

What is a Switch?

A switch connects devices in a network (usually a local area network/LAN), creating more Ethernet ports, and forwards data packets to and from these devices. It has the ability to manage data traffic on your network, receiving data from all connected devices and transmitting it simultaneously to the corresponding devices it is intended for. Additionally, it provides enhanced security, has better performance in terms of data size as well as transmission speed, while at the same time, this way it frees up resources from the router so that it can perform its tasks more effectively.

Key Features

Once you have decided on the amount you are willing to spend and have roughly identified what kind of needs the switch will meet or what kind of use it is intended for, you can proceed to examine some key features that will largely determine your final choice. These features are summarized as follows:

• The type
• The speed
• The ports
• The construction specifications (form factor)

More specifically

# Type

• Unmanaged: Creates more Ethernet ports in a local network, so that more and more local devices can access it. Unmanaged switches pass data back and forth based on the devices' MAC addresses. They are easy to install and configure (plug-and-play), and are a suitable choice for beginner users and for small or medium-sized networks that do not require many settings and active monitoring.
• Managed: Performs the same function as an unmanaged switch but for much larger networks, while also offering network administrators the ability to customize and much greater control over the way data traffic is prioritized. In addition, they provide administrators with the ability to create virtual local area networks (VLAN) for further subdividing a local network into smaller parts. They are intended for larger networks and meet more demanding needs, while most of the time they require the assistance of a professional for installation and configuration.

# Speed

Depending on your bandwidth needs (speed), it will be determined whether you need a switch with speeds such as 10Gbps, 2.5Gbps, 1Gbps (Gigabit) or 10/100. The so-called Fast Ethernet Switches or 10/100 are the most economical, but Multi-Gigabit and Gigabit Switches can offer much higher speeds. Therefore, choose a switch with not only your current network setup in mind, but also possible future needs for additional bandwidth.

# Ports

An important criterion for choosing a switch is always the number of available ports, which translates into how many devices it can manage. You can choose from 4 up to 48 or more Ethernet ports, while in some cases the switch may also have USB ports. However, at this point you should consider whether you will need to power some of your network devices over the network. If so, then you should choose a switch with Power over Ethernet (PoE) capability, which allows network devices to be powered through the Ethernet cable while simultaneously sending/receiving data. Finally, if you are aiming for more demanding network installations by connecting multiple switches together, then you should turn to options that have SFP connection ports (also known as Mini-GBIC ports).

# Construction Specifications (Form Factor)

Whether desktop, wall-mounted, or even those that are mounted in a rack, your final choice depends both on your personal preference and on the network installation where you plan to use it. Desktop and wall-mounted switches are ideal when you want to save space, as they are usually more affordable and quieter, since they do not have fans. On the other hand, rack-mounted switches are ideal for use in server rooms or in existing home racks. Finally, the construction material can be an additional factor in your choice, as metal-built switches are more durable and stand the test of time, while those with plastic parts offer a more cost-effective solution.

Not sure?

If you read the guide but not all your questions were answered, then you can certainly ask them in the category questions and a skroutzer will answer you at the first opportunity. If you have already decided that you need a Switch but are still not sure which one is most suitable to meet your needs, then you can take a look at the best Switches for 2023.