Switch

Do you want to expand your network or establish a network? Familiarize yourself with the different switches here.

A network switches are the infrastructural backbone of every network. The network switch has the task of connecting the various end devices to each other in terms of infrastructure, or of distributing data from the router to all connected end devices and between the end devices. Network switches can be purchased as a standalone device or can already be integrated into a router.

What differentiates an Ethernet switch from a Gigabit switch? The terms Ethernet Switch and Gigabit Switch stand for the same type of network switches. The term Ethernet switch is an umbrella term for the connection technology, while a gigabit switch is a variant that operates at up to 1000 Mbit/s. Other Ethernet switches only operate with up to 10 Mbit/s or 100 Mbit/s data transfer rate in the network. However, gigabit switches are usually backwards compatible and can also communicate at 10 or 100 Mbit/s. A Gigabit switch is an Ethernet switch and both are network switches.

Whether you choose a single network switch or a router depends primarily on how large and complex your network is. For home and SOHO areas, routers with an integrated Ethernet switch are sufficient for up to four devices. For large, centrally managed networks, however, it is advisable to use individual components for routers and network switches, as the reliability is significantly better here. If one component fails, the other can continue to function. Both variants are expandable because switches can be cascaded.