Course Categories

Managed vs Unmanaged Switch – Which to

Choose?
June 5, 2014 by Arpita Bhattacharjee

Networking and Network Devices

The practice of linking two or more computing devices together for the purpose of sharing data is
called networking. When a house with different family members want to interconnect their
computers to exchange information, an office wants to set up a network to provide internet
access to all its computers or exchange files between its different branch offices, then networking
is the way to go. Certain hardware equipment and wiring (or wireless) is required to interconnect
these devices. Network devices such as routers, switches, hubs and bridges installed in a network
improve connectivity, reduce traffic, and enhance performance.

Switch – A Network Device

A switch is a telecommunication device that joins multiple devices within one Local Area
Network (LAN). Cisco manufactures different networking equipment and Cisco switches are
widely used in networking for their high performance. A switch receives a message from any
device connected to it and then transmits the message only to the device for which the message is
targeted. A switch has a more efficient way of handling and transmitting data between multiple
devices within a LAN. A switch can determine the target port for each frame and is intelligent
and efficient.

There are two types of switch – Managed and Unmanaged. Here we will discuss the differences
between the two types. The key difference between them lies in the fact that a managed switch
can be configured and it can prioritize LAN traffic so that the most important information gets
through. An unmanaged switch on the other hand behaves like a “plug and play” device. It
cannot be configured and simply allows the devices to communicate with one another.

Benefits of Managed Switch over Unmanaged Switch

Managed switches give you better control over your LAN traffic and offer advanced features to
control the traffic. Managed switches have all the features of an unmanaged switch and
additionally have the ability to configure, manage, and monitor your LAN. So this helps you to
monitor and decide who should have access to your network and gives you greater control over
data flow through your network.

But you cannot configure unmanaged switches as they do not support any configuration interface
and options. They are like plug-and-play devices and you need to connect your computer or other
network devices directly to the unmanaged switch. If there are no advanced applications needed,
then unmanaged switches should be the best choice.

Managed switches have several other benefits. They use protocols such as SNMP or Simple
Network Management Protocol for monitoring the devices on the network. SNMP helps in the
exchange of management information between network devices. SNMP queries also determine
the health and status of devices on a network. So an IT administrator can read the SNMP data,
monitor the performance of the network from a remote location, and detect and repair network
problems from a central location without having to physically inspect the switches and devices.
Managed switches also support more advanced functions. They can be used to insert loops in the
network, increase the security level of a network, and support multiple VLAN as per
requirement.

The Quality of Service (QoS) feature of a managed switch also allows you to prioritize your
network traffic by assigning a higher priority to the critical traffic. This helps to improve network
performance and helps in better transmission of delay-sensitive data such as real-time voice. So
by assigning highest priority to voice data you can ensure the voice packets don’t get dropped or
delayed and mangled during transmission and you can hear crystal clear voice during a
conversation.

Switches can be used in VLAN configuration to logically group devices as per the working
departments and managed switches can be used to isolate traffic between these groups. This
segmentation and isolation of network traffic help to reduce unnecessary traffic. For instance,
you can segregate traffic between your finance and marketing groups, so that critical finance
information can flow without delay to the finance users and not get bogged down by marketing
traffic. This allows better network performance and additional level of security.

Another important feature of a managed switch is redundancy. Redundancy means to provide an

alternate data path to network traffic to safeguard a network in case a connection or cable fails.
Managed switches incorporate Spanning Tree Protocol or STP to provide path redundancy in the
network. This provides redundant paths but prevents loops that are created by multiple active
paths between switches. STP allows one active path at a time between two network devices,
prevents loops, and establishes redundant links as backups so that there is lesser downtime. This
makes job for a network administrator easier and also proves more profitable for a business.

The port mirroring feature of a managed switch along with a network analyzer also helps in
diagnosing problems. It copies the switch network traffic and forwards it to a single port on the
same switch for analysis by a network analyzer. You can use the analyzer on a monitor port to
troubleshoot network problems by examining traffic on other ports or segments. This enables
you to troubleshoot problems without taking the network out of service.

Conclusion
Managed switches are costlier than unmanaged switches. But managed switches definitely have
more benefits and ensure improved, consistent network performance. Weighing the pros and
cons of both the types of switches, each business needs to evaluate its network needs. When their
network requirements out grow and they need better control and monitoring over their network
traffic, then they may consider managed switches. Also, if they are planning to deploy advanced
services such as wireless LANs or IP telephony in the near future, then managed switches can
lay the foundation for these technologies. But as long as networking needs are simple as in
homes and small businesses, unmanaged switches are good options to consider. During the
above discussion if you came across networking terms and protocols you are not familiar with,
then browse through the course TCP/IP Training Video A Definitive & Easy To Follow to
recollect information on networking. If you are considering taking the CCNP Switch Exam then
CCNP SWITCH 2014 Video Boot Camp With Chris Bryant is a good resource to refer to.

Filed Under: Students, Technology

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Copyright © 2016 · Udemy, Inc. · Built on the Genesis Framework

Course Categories

Managed vs Unmanaged Switch – Which to

Choose?
June 5, 2014 by Arpita Bhattacharjee

Networking and Network Devices

The practice of linking two or more computing devices together for the purpose of sharing data is
called networking. When a house with different family members want to interconnect their
computers to exchange information, an office wants to set up a network to provide internet
access to all its computers or exchange files between its different branch offices, then networking
is the way to go. Certain hardware equipment and wiring (or wireless) is required to interconnect
these devices. Network devices such as routers, switches, hubs and bridges installed in a network
improve connectivity, reduce traffic, and enhance performance.

Switch – A Network Device

A switch is a telecommunication device that joins multiple devices within one Local Area
Network (LAN). Cisco manufactures different networking equipment and Cisco switches are
widely used in networking for their high performance. A switch receives a message from any
device connected to it and then transmits the message only to the device for which the message is
targeted. A switch has a more efficient way of handling and transmitting data between multiple
devices within a LAN. A switch can determine the target port for each frame and is intelligent
and efficient.

There are two types of switch – Managed and Unmanaged. Here we will discuss the differences
between the two types. The key difference between them lies in the fact that a managed switch
can be configured and it can prioritize LAN traffic so that the most important information gets
through. An unmanaged switch on the other hand behaves like a “plug and play” device. It
cannot be configured and simply allows the devices to communicate with one another.

Benefits of Managed Switch over Unmanaged Switch

Managed switches give you better control over your LAN traffic and offer advanced features to
control the traffic. Managed switches have all the features of an unmanaged switch and
additionally have the ability to configure, manage, and monitor your LAN. So this helps you to
monitor and decide who should have access to your network and gives you greater control over
data flow through your network.

But you cannot configure unmanaged switches as they do not support any configuration interface
and options. They are like plug-and-play devices and you need to connect your computer or other
network devices directly to the unmanaged switch. If there are no advanced applications needed,
then unmanaged switches should be the best choice.

Managed switches have several other benefits. They use protocols such as SNMP or Simple
Network Management Protocol for monitoring the devices on the network. SNMP helps in the
exchange of management information between network devices. SNMP queries also determine
the health and status of devices on a network. So an IT administrator can read the SNMP data,
monitor the performance of the network from a remote location, and detect and repair network
problems from a central location without having to physically inspect the switches and devices.
Managed switches also support more advanced functions. They can be used to insert loops in the
network, increase the security level of a network, and support multiple VLAN as per
requirement.

The Quality of Service (QoS) feature of a managed switch also allows you to prioritize your
network traffic by assigning a higher priority to the critical traffic. This helps to improve network
performance and helps in better transmission of delay-sensitive data such as real-time voice. So
by assigning highest priority to voice data you can ensure the voice packets don’t get dropped or
delayed and mangled during transmission and you can hear crystal clear voice during a
conversation.

Switches can be used in VLAN configuration to logically group devices as per the working
departments and managed switches can be used to isolate traffic between these groups. This
segmentation and isolation of network traffic help to reduce unnecessary traffic. For instance,
you can segregate traffic between your finance and marketing groups, so that critical finance
information can flow without delay to the finance users and not get bogged down by marketing
traffic. This allows better network performance and additional level of security.

Another important feature of a managed switch is redundancy. Redundancy means to provide an

alternate data path to network traffic to safeguard a network in case a connection or cable fails.
Managed switches incorporate Spanning Tree Protocol or STP to provide path redundancy in the
network. This provides redundant paths but prevents loops that are created by multiple active
paths between switches. STP allows one active path at a time between two network devices,
prevents loops, and establishes redundant links as backups so that there is lesser downtime. This
makes job for a network administrator easier and also proves more profitable for a business.

The port mirroring feature of a managed switch along with a network analyzer also helps in
diagnosing problems. It copies the switch network traffic and forwards it to a single port on the
same switch for analysis by a network analyzer. You can use the analyzer on a monitor port to
troubleshoot network problems by examining traffic on other ports or segments. This enables
you to troubleshoot problems without taking the network out of service.

Conclusion
Managed switches are costlier than unmanaged switches. But managed switches definitely have
more benefits and ensure improved, consistent network performance. Weighing the pros and
cons of both the types of switches, each business needs to evaluate its network needs. When their
network requirements out grow and they need better control and monitoring over their network
traffic, then they may consider managed switches. Also, if they are planning to deploy advanced
services such as wireless LANs or IP telephony in the near future, then managed switches can
lay the foundation for these technologies. But as long as networking needs are simple as in
homes and small businesses, unmanaged switches are good options to consider. During the
above discussion if you came across networking terms and protocols you are not familiar with,
then browse through the course TCP/IP Training Video A Definitive & Easy To Follow to
recollect information on networking. If you are considering taking the CCNP Switch Exam then
CCNP SWITCH 2014 Video Boot Camp With Chris Bryant is a good resource to refer to.

Filed Under: Students, Technology

Top Udemy Courses:

 Top Java Courses

 Top Python Courses
 Top Excel Courses
 Learn Excel With This GIF Tutorial
 Become a Web Developer from Scratch! (8100+ students)
 Advanced Excel Training (42,660+ students)
 Coding for Entrepreneurs (4810+ students)
 iOS Development Code Camp (1155+ students)
  Advanced Java Programming (735+ students)

Popular Posts

 How to Build an iPhone App from Scratch for Non-Technical People: Your quick and
dirty guide
 Excel Formulas: 10 Formulas That Helped Me Keep My Job
 Code Wars: Ruby vs Python vs PHP [Infographic]
 Top 10 Programming Languages to Learn in 2014
 How to Add Ringtones To Your iPhone (Updated for iOS 7)
 8 Best PowerPoint Presentations: How To Create Engaging Presentations
 Java Interview Questions: How to crack the TOP 15 questions
 Drupal vs Joomla vs WordPress: CMS Showdown [infographic]
 Making an App: 6 Things You Should Consider Before Getting Started
 10 Fórmulas de Excel para ser Más Productivo

Return to top of page

Copyright © 2016 · Udemy, Inc. · Built on the Genesis Framework