For adding a few more ports
The most common kind of switch, at least for homes and small businesses, is called an unmanaged switch. That means the switch itself has no settings or special features, and it exists only to add more Ethernet ports to your network. Your router continues to handle your Internet connection, letting your devices talk to one another and restricting what certain devices can do through parental controls or other settings—the switch is effectively invisible. In contrast, the kinds of things that managed switches do—such as monitoring traffic on individual ports or setting up virtual networks (VLANs) using the same switch—are really important only for large corporate networks.
Because unmanaged switches are so simple, models from different manufacturers all perform about the same. Simply find a Gigabit Ethernet switch with the number of ports you need from a reputable networking company like D-Link, Netgear, TP-Link, or TrendNet, make sure the owner reviews aren’t awful (both of the models we like have 4.5 stars out of five across hundreds of reviews at this writing), and buy that one. A good five-port switch, such as this one from TP-Link—with one port to connect to an Ethernet port on your router, and four to connect to your devices—should cost $20 or less. An eight-port switch should cost no more than $30. These options are well-reviewed and inexpensive, but they certainly aren’t the only good choices.
For adding Ethernet all over your house
A good mesh-networking kit saves you from needing to run Ethernet cabling through your walls no matter how big or complicated your house is, and it's usually cheaper too. But if you want fast, lag-free connections in every room of your house—if you play online games, stream 4K video from a local server, or transfer large files over your network every day—there’s still no substitute for wired Ethernet.
A network switch—not to be confused with a light switch or a Nintendo Switch—is a box that you connect to your home router to gain more Ethernet ports. Think of it as functioning like a USB hub but for networking.
Because home routers usually come with three or four Ethernet ports built in, and because almost everything on a home network—laptops, phones, game consoles, streaming boxes, and smart-home accessories—uses Wi-Fi anyway, most people don’t need a network switch. But a switch is useful if your router doesn’t have enough Ethernet ports (like the Eero mesh router, which has only one port free after you've connected your modem), if you have a lot of wired devices in one place (such as in an entertainment center), if you’re trying to use wires to improve your speeds or cut down on wireless interference, or if you’re installing Ethernet ports in your home’s walls.
What is an unmanaged switch?
An unmanaged network switch is designed so that you can simply plug them in and they work, no configuration required. Unmanaged switches are typically for basic connectivity. You'll often see them used in home networks or wherever a few more ports are needed, such as at your desk, in a lab, or in a conference room.
What is a managed switch?
Managed switches give you greater security and more features and flexibility, because you can configure them to custom-fit your network. With this greater control, you can better protect your network and improve the quality of service for those who access the network.
How does a network switch work as compared to a hub?
In the most basic networks, devices are connected with hubs. But there's a limit to the amount of bandwidth users can share on a hub-based network. The more devices are added to the network, the longer it takes data to reach its destination. A switch avoids these and other limitations of hub networks.
How does a network switch work as compared to a router?
Switches allow different devices on a network to communicate. Routers allow different networks to communicate.
managed switch
A router also connects networked computers to the Internet, so multiple users can share a connection. And a router acts as a dispatcher. It chooses the best route for information to travel, so that it's transmitted as efficiently as possible.
Not sure which networking device you need? Talk to a local Cisco reseller who understands your specific requirements. Your reseller can design, install, and help you maintain your network. You'll get a secure, reliable, affordable network backed by Cisco and customized to meet your needs today, giving you a clear path to tomorrow.
The most common kind of switch, at least for homes and small businesses, is called an unmanaged switch. That means the switch itself has no settings or special features, and it exists only to add more Ethernet ports to your network. Your router continues to handle your Internet connection, letting your devices talk to one another and restricting what certain devices can do through parental controls or other settings—the switch is effectively invisible. In contrast, the kinds of things that managed switches do—such as monitoring traffic on individual ports or setting up virtual networks (VLANs) using the same switch—are really important only for large corporate networks.
Because unmanaged switches are so simple, models from different manufacturers all perform about the same. Simply find a Gigabit Ethernet switch with the number of ports you need from a reputable networking company like D-Link, Netgear, TP-Link, or TrendNet, make sure the owner reviews aren’t awful (both of the models we like have 4.5 stars out of five across hundreds of reviews at this writing), and buy that one. A good five-port switch, such as this one from TP-Link—with one port to connect to an Ethernet port on your router, and four to connect to your devices—should cost $20 or less. An eight-port switch should cost no more than $30. These options are well-reviewed and inexpensive, but they certainly aren’t the only good choices.
For adding Ethernet all over your house
A good mesh-networking kit saves you from needing to run Ethernet cabling through your walls no matter how big or complicated your house is, and it's usually cheaper too. But if you want fast, lag-free connections in every room of your house—if you play online games, stream 4K video from a local server, or transfer large files over your network every day—there’s still no substitute for wired Ethernet.
A network switch—not to be confused with a light switch or a Nintendo Switch—is a box that you connect to your home router to gain more Ethernet ports. Think of it as functioning like a USB hub but for networking.
Because home routers usually come with three or four Ethernet ports built in, and because almost everything on a home network—laptops, phones, game consoles, streaming boxes, and smart-home accessories—uses Wi-Fi anyway, most people don’t need a network switch. But a switch is useful if your router doesn’t have enough Ethernet ports (like the Eero mesh router, which has only one port free after you've connected your modem), if you have a lot of wired devices in one place (such as in an entertainment center), if you’re trying to use wires to improve your speeds or cut down on wireless interference, or if you’re installing Ethernet ports in your home’s walls.
What is an unmanaged switch?
An unmanaged network switch is designed so that you can simply plug them in and they work, no configuration required. Unmanaged switches are typically for basic connectivity. You'll often see them used in home networks or wherever a few more ports are needed, such as at your desk, in a lab, or in a conference room.
What is a managed switch?
Managed switches give you greater security and more features and flexibility, because you can configure them to custom-fit your network. With this greater control, you can better protect your network and improve the quality of service for those who access the network.
How does a network switch work as compared to a hub?
In the most basic networks, devices are connected with hubs. But there's a limit to the amount of bandwidth users can share on a hub-based network. The more devices are added to the network, the longer it takes data to reach its destination. A switch avoids these and other limitations of hub networks.
How does a network switch work as compared to a router?
Switches allow different devices on a network to communicate. Routers allow different networks to communicate.
managed switch
A router also connects networked computers to the Internet, so multiple users can share a connection. And a router acts as a dispatcher. It chooses the best route for information to travel, so that it's transmitted as efficiently as possible.
Not sure which networking device you need? Talk to a local Cisco reseller who understands your specific requirements. Your reseller can design, install, and help you maintain your network. You'll get a secure, reliable, affordable network backed by Cisco and customized to meet your needs today, giving you a clear path to tomorrow.
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