Security is Everyone's Job
A network switch is a device that connects other devices in a computer network and allows them to communicate with each other.
A switch receives data packets from one device and forwards them to the device that they are intended for, based on the destination address in the packet./p>
This way, a switch can reduce network congestion and improve performance.
Unmanaged switch: This is the simplest type of switch that does not require any configuration or management. It just creates more Ethernet ports on a network, so that more devices can access the Internet. An unmanaged switch passes data based on the device MAC address, which is a unique identifier for each device on a network
Managed switch: This is a more advanced type of switch that gives network administrators more control over how data is prioritized and forwarded. A managed switch can be configured to monitor traffic, create VLANs (virtual LANs), implement security policies, and more. A managed switch can operate at either layer 2 (the data link layer) or layer 3 (the network layer) of the OSI model. A layer 2 switch forwards data based on the MAC address, while a layer 3 switch forwards data based on the IP address
Smart switch: This is a type of switch that falls between an unmanaged switch and a managed switch. A smart switch offers some features of a managed switch, such as VLANs, QoS (quality of service), and security, but with less complexity and cost. A smart switch can be configured through a web interface or an app
PoE switch: This is a type of switch that can provide power over Ethernet (PoE) to devices that are connected to it. PoE is a technology that allows data and electricity to be transmitted over the same cable, eliminating the need for separate power sources for devices such as IP cameras, VoIP phones, wireless access points, and more
Switches can be classified into two main categories: store-and-forward and cut-through. Store-and-forward switches receive the entire data packet before forwarding it to the destination, while cut-through switches forward the packet as soon as they read the destination address.
Store-and-forward switches have higher latency but better error detection, while cut-through switches have lower latency but less error correction.
Switches can also support different speeds and standards of Ethernet, such as 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps, or even 100 Gbps.
The speed of a switch is determined by the speed of its ports, which can be either fixed or modular.
Fixed ports are built into the switch and cannot be changed, while modular ports can be replaced or upgraded with different modules.
Switches can also have different form factors, such as desktop, rack-mountable, or chassis. Desktop switches are small and compact and can be placed on a desk or a shelf.
Rack-mountable switches are designed to fit into a standard 19-inch rack and can be secured with screws.
Chassis switches are large and modular and can accommodate multiple switch modules in a single chassis.
Switches can also have different features and functions, such as VLANs, QoS, PoE, SNMP, STP, IGMP, and more. VLANs (virtual LANs) allow you to create logical groups of devices on a network that can communicate with each other regardless of their physical location.
QoS (quality of service) allows you to prioritize certain types of traffic over others to ensure optimal performance.
PoE (power over Ethernet) allows you to power devices such as IP cameras or VoIP phones through the Ethernet cable without needing a separate power source.
SNMP (simple network management protocol) allows you to monitor and manage your network devices remotely. STP (spanning tree protocol) prevents loops and redundancies in your network topology.
IGMP (internet group management protocol) enables multicast communication among devices on a network.