Managed And Unmanaged Switches

A home network consisting of two computers that share an internet connection and possibly a printer is a good example of a simple lan that might employ an unmanaged switch.

Managed and unmanaged switches.

Switches are devices used in connecting a local area network otherwise known as a lan. A managed switch allows you to have more control over the network as well as all traffic that moves through the device. By contrast managed switches allow for more advanced network capabilities a larger number of connected devices and the ability to control traffic flow. An unmanaged switch takes this control away and handles everything.

The managed versus unmanaged switch comparison comes down to a simple tradeoff. Managed switches provide the tools to monitor configure and essentially assist with improving network performance for a consistent stable network. Unmanaged switches are cheaper and will give you basic functionality. The advantage to unmanaged switches when it comes to performance is that you can plug and play immediately with your network.

A managed switch allows lan traffic to be controlled and prioritized through configuration changes whereas an unmanaged switch is manufactured with a standard configuration that cannot be changed. Keep reading to learn more about the difference between managed and unmanaged switches and determine which type is best for you. Managed switches also offer redundancy features that duplicate and recovery data in the event of a device or network failure. The pros and cons.