Types of Network Switches

Types of Network Switches

Switches enhance network performance by optimizing the flow of data traffic.

✅ Allows multiple devices to communicate simultaneously.
✅ Enhance network security by isolating traffic between devices.
✅Advanced switches offer features like VLANs (Virtual LANs) that further improve network security.
✅Offers scalability and flexibility – can beexpanded by adding more ports or connecting switches together to create larger networks.

Key #features and #functionalities.

1️⃣VLANs, (Virtual LAN) – segregate network traffic and enhance security. By dividing a physical network into multiple virtual networks, VLANs enable efficient data transmission and improve network performance. They also provide enhanced control over network traffic, allowing administrators to manage access and prioritize certain types of data.

2️⃣Quality of Service (QoS) – ensures that critical applications and services receive the necessary bandwidth and priority to function smoothly. By prioritizing network traffic based on predefined rules and policies, QoS helps avoid congestion and bottlenecks, enhancing overall network performance and user experience.

3️⃣Port mirroring is a valuable in providing effective network monitoring. It involves duplicating network traffic from one port to another, allowing administrators to capture and analyze data packets for troubleshooting and security purposes. Enables real-time monitoring of network traffic without disrupting normal operations, making it an indispensable tool for network administrators.

#Types of Switches

There are two main categories of switches:
1️⃣Modular and
2️⃣Fixed configuration.

#Modular switches
✅ let you add expansion modules as needed, and these modules are application-specific – such as firewalls, wireless connectivity, or network analysis.

✅ Fixed-configuration switches – provide a fixed number of ports and are typically not expandable, examples: #unmanaged, #smart, & #managed switches.

#Unmanaged switches – used to provide basic connectivity. Designed to be plug and play; no configuration is needed. Commonly used in home networks or at a desk, in a lab, or in a conference room.

– Offer limited advanced capabilities, however—as the name implies—these switches generally cannot be modified or managed.

#Smart switches – offer some management and segmentation, quality of service, and security capabilities.
– Typically deployed at the edge of a large network (while managed switches are used in the core), as the infrastructure for smaller networks, or for low complexity networks.

#Managed switches – Deliver the most comprehensive set of features to provide the best application experience, the highest levels of security, the most precise control and management of the network, and the greatest scalability.
– usually deployed as aggregation/access switches in very large networks or as core switches in smaller networks.
– Common in organizations with large or growing- networks.

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Source: LinkedIn