Network Switches — Description

A switch is where all the wired connections of a network meet: computers, cameras, access points and servers. In this category you will find several hundred models, from a five-port desktop switch for the home to rack-mounted units with fibre ports. For a home or small office an unmanaged gigabit switch is usually enough: plug it in and it works, for example a TP-Link or Mercusys with 5 to 16 ports. If you need to power IP cameras, Wi-Fi access points or IP phones, choose a PoE model and check the total power budget in watts. For a larger network, managed switches with VLAN support are the better choice, such as Ubiquiti UniFi, MikroTik Cloud Router Switch, Zyxel, D-Link, Planet or Netgear, including models with SFP+ and 10G ports. Before buying, count the ports you need and leave a few spare, check the speed (1G, 2.5G or 10G) and whether the unit is meant for a desk or a 19-inch rack. If you plan to expand the network, a managed model will save time later.