As home networks become increasingly complex, with more wired and wireless devices, a good wired connection can eliminate potential weaknesses of wireless, while providing higher speeds, reliability, and stability of operation. With most mainstream routers typically offering only four - or sometimes fewer - Ethernet ports, the need for more ports is becoming more frequent. At this point, 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, allowing more local devices to access it. Unmanaged switches pass data back and forth based on the MAC addresses of the devices. They are easy to install and set up (plug-and-play), making them a suitable choice for beginner users and for small to medium-sized networks that do not require extensive configurations and active monitoring.
• Managed: Performs the same function as an unmanaged switch but for much larger networks, while also providing network administrators with the ability to customize and much greater control over how data traffic is prioritized. Additionally, they allow administrators to create virtual local area networks (VLAN) for further subdividing a local network into smaller segments. They are aimed at larger networks and meet more demanding needs, often requiring the assistance of a professional for installation and configuration.

# Speed

Depending on your bandwidth (speed) needs, 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 based not only on your current network setup but also considering potential future needs for additional bandwidth.

# Ports

An important criterion for choosing a switch is always the number of ports, which translates to how many devices it can manage. You can choose from 4 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 through the network. If so, then you should choose a switch with Power over Ethernet (PoE) capability, which allows powering network devices with electricity through the Ethernet cable along with simultaneous data transmission/reception. Finally, if you are targeting more demanding network installations by connecting multiple switches together, then you should look for 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 installed in a rack, your final choice depends on both your personal preference and the network setup you intend to use it in. 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 perfect for use in server rooms or existing home racks. Finally, the material of construction can be an additional factor in your choice, as metal 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 have read the guide but still have unanswered questions, you can express them in the category questions and a skroutzer will respond at the earliest opportunity. If you have decided that you need a Switch but are still not sure which one is best suited to meet your needs, then you can take a look at the best Switches for 2023.