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Bienvenido a nuestra gran prueba de cambio de red 2023. Aquí presentamos en detalle todos los conmutadores de red que hemos probado. Hemos recopilado información de antecedentes detallada y agregado un resumen de las opiniones de los clientes en Internet.
Nos gustaría facilitarle la decisión de compra y ayudarlo a encontrar el mejor conmutador de red para usted.
También encontrará respuestas a preguntas frecuentes en nuestra guía. Si está disponible, también ofrecemos interesantes videos de prueba. Además, también encontrará información importante en esta página a la que definitivamente debe prestar atención si desea comprar un conmutador de red.
Resumen
- Con un conmutador de red, puede configurar una red en su empresa o en casa y asegurarse de que sus dispositivos conectados se comuniquen de forma segura y rápida entre sí.
- Se hace una distinción básica entre un conmutador de red administrado y uno no administrado, por lo que el conmutador no administrado ya está disponible a un precio más bajo.
- Un conmutador no administrado es suficiente para la mayoría de las redes privadas. Un conmutador administrado se utiliza a menudo en las empresas porque ofrece amplias opciones de configuración.
El mejor conmutador de red del Reino Unido: nuestras opciones
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Criterios de compra y evaluación de conmutadores de red
A continuación, le mostraremos qué aspectos puede utilizar para decidir entre los muchos conmutadores de red posibles.
Los criterios con los que puede comparar los conmutadores de red entre sí incluyen:
- Tipo de construccion
- Numero de puertos
- Alimentación a través de Ethernet (PoE)
- Tasa de rendimiento
- Velocidad
En los siguientes párrafos explicaremos qué es importante en los criterios individuales.
Tipo de construccion
El tipo de ranura que se utiliza con más frecuencia es el de factor de forma pequeño conectable (SFP). Este tipo también se conoce como Mini-GBIC, SFF GBIC, GLC, New GBIC o Next Generation GBIC. Se asemeja al pestillo de un niño y generalmente se usa el término Mini-GBIC.
Mini-GBIC are designed up to 5 Gbit/s. If you need higher speed such as 10 Gbit Ethernet, you need the larger XFP or XENPAC modules. XPAK and X2 are successors to the XENPAC modules.
Switches function on the basis of either Layer 2 or 3. Layer 2 switches are simple designs that establish connections between network accounts. Most unmanaged switches fall into this category. VLANs (Virtual LANs) and Quality-of-Service are based on Layer-3.
Number of ports
Before you buy a network switch, you should know how many ports you need. This depends, of course, on how many devices you own or plan to buy in the future. As a rule, you plan for the next five to seven years.
For private home networks, network switches with 5 or 8 ports are usually sufficient. For larger networks you should rather focus on switches with 16 ports or more.
Energy efficiency
If you save electricity, you also save money. Ethernet switches are usually never switched off, which is why you can save a lot of power over the entire operating time with small changes.
One important point is to buy a switch with efficient power supplies. Smaller switches are powered by conventional plug-in power supplies, which consume a lot of energy. It is better to choose a device with energy-saving switching technology.
You can check the efficiency of the power supply of your switch in the data sheet. The efficiency is considered good if it is well above 80%.
The cable length also plays a role in the power supply. The shorter the cable, the less energy is consumed.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
Devices with Power over Ethernet (PoE) can supply themselves with power via the data connection with the network cable. This means that you do not need an additional power supply unit.
One advantage of this technology is that you can set up your network switch more flexibly. You can mount your device in places where there is no power line and it would be too expensive or cumbersome to install one. You can also power other devices via the PoE ports.
Data transfer rate
If you want to buy a network switch, you should pay particular attention to the transmission rate.
The line can be as fast as you want, but if the switch is too slow, you won’t be able to use its full potential. You will always find the data transfer rate in the values that are given with MBit/s or Gbit/s.
Depending on the requirements for number of ports and speed, this value should be higher or lower.
For an 8-port Ethernet switch with a rate of 1 Gbit/s, for example, the speed is divided by all outputs. This results in a data throughput of 125 Mbit/s per port, which is comparable to a standard fibre optic connection.
Decision: What types of network switches are there and which one is right for you?
If you want to buy a network switch, there are two alternatives you can choose between:
| Type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Unmanaged network switch | Rather cheap, easy to use, sufficient for home networks | Hardly any configuration options, not suitable for companies |
| Managed network switch | Configurable, for large networks, many settings | Complicated, more expensive |
Each of the two types of switch has its advantages and disadvantages. The unmanaged switch is often used in home networks and small offices. Networks built with a managed switch, on the other hand, are often found in large companies. In the following sections we would like to make the decision easier for you.
Unmanaged network switch
Unmanaged network switches are mostly used for smaller networks such as small offices or home networks. They can be connected to the network simply and easily via plug and play with the LAN cable.
The disadvantage is that unmanaged Ethernet switches have little or no configuration options. Remote configuration, management or monitoring is also not possible.
As a rule, unmanaged switches are used to set up a small independent network with a few devices. They are also suitable for adding temporary workgroups to larger networks or for connecting surveillance cameras.
But an unmanaged network switch is also perfectly adequate for LAN parties.
Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying a network switch
What is a network switch?
A network switch is an electronic device that connects different network segments (e.g. several computers) in a local network.
It usually has the shape of a flat box and is equipped with several ports (connections).
The devices connected in the network can communicate with each other via the switch and exchange data with each other. It serves as the central distribution unit.
The network switch can distinguish between the individual participants in the network and, if necessary, pass on data specifically to certain devices.
An Ethernet switch is used, for example, to exchange data, as already mentioned, or to use a common Internet access or printer.
A switch is also often used in the area of gaming (LAN party) in order to play together with or against other players in a network.
When do you need a network switch?
A network switch has many advantages if you have several electronic devices.
Most households have a modern DSL router such as a FritzBox. These usually have three or four so-called LAN ports.
This gives you more than enough space for all your secret devices. Such switches are particularly suitable for companies with many devices.
These ports allow your network to send or receive data at up to 1,000 Mbps to connected devices.
So if you only have a desktop PC, a notebook, a tablet and a printer at home, a router is perfectly adequate.
However, if you also have game consoles, a Smart TV, a receiver or other IT devices, you will quickly reach your limits with a standard router.
Theoretically, you can also connect most devices to the router via WLAN. However, the connection via cable offers you faster and interference-free data transmission. This is often a decisive factor, especially in gaming.
Who is a network switch suitable for?
A network switch is basically suitable for people or companies that have several IT devices and want to connect them intelligently with each other.
In today’s working world, home offices are becoming more and more common practice.
In order to ensure fast and efficient work within one’s own four walls, the network switch provides the necessary basis for this.
But a network switch is also suitable for people who only use their home network for private purposes to organise the ever-increasing number of electronic devices and to exchange data securely and quickly.
(Source: chip.de)
What alternatives are there to a network switch?
As an alternative to a network switch, there is a hub or a standard router.
In the following section, we will give you a brief overview of the alternatives to network switches.
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Router | The router is used to connect several independent networks with each other. In most cases, it is used to connect the private network (LAN) to the Internet. It combines all computers in the home network and connects them to the Internet via the same connection. |
| Hub | Like the network switch, the hub ensures that the various devices in a network can communicate (exchange data) with each other. The difference, however, is that it cannot distinguish between the different participants in the network. Data is therefore transmitted to all connected IT devices. The hub can either receive or send data, but not both at the same time. |
How is a network switch connected correctly?
To connect the network switch to the router, you need a 1-to-1 patch cable. Plug one end of the cable into one of the existing ports of the router and the other into the LAN/Ethernet port of the switch.
The easiest way is to use port 1 on both devices. However, this is not absolutely necessary.
By connecting the router and the switch, you have expanded the ports of the router. You can continue to use the ports of the router as normal.
How can I set up a managed network switch?
Managed network switches can usually be set up via the web browser. In some cases, the manufacturer also provides separate software that you must first install on your computer.
DHCP enabled: In the best case, the network switch already has DHCP enabled and is connected to a DHCP server. The server is usually integrated in the router. The IP address is automatically forwarded from the router to the Ethernet switch.
You can read the IP address from the router under connected devices and enter it in the web browser so that the user interface of the switch appears. And you can start configuring your Ethernet switch.
DHCP deactivated: If your switch already has its own IP address and DHCP is not active, you must first read the operating instructions to find out which IP address has been assigned. Then you must disconnect the switch and the computer with which you want to configure your network from the network.
In the next step, assign your PC or notebook with the IP already provided by the manufacturer and connect to the network switch. Then enter the IP address in the web browser as usual to open the user interface.
How can I restart a network switch?
If you have network problems or the network switch no longer works, the easiest solution is often to restart the entire network. You can simply follow the steps below:
- Switch off everything, disconnect router from power and wait approx. 10 seconds
- Connect router to power and switch on
- Switch on the network switch
- Turn on the computer and connect it to the Internet
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 for all other computers
- Turn on printers and other devices
How can I connect several network switches together?
If you want to cascade several network switches, i.e. connect them together or connect them in series, there are two alternatives:
We recommend connecting the different devices in a star configuration. This means that the router acts as the central unit.
You can stack them on top of each other and then connect them via a stack port. This is then called a “stack”.
The first option is to use the ports that are already available in the router. In this case, you connect the second Ethernet switch in the same way as the first one via the ports in the router.
El segundo y más efectivo método si desea operar varios conmutadores en sucesión es simplemente conectar el segundo conmutador de red a un puerto del primero, el tercero al segundo y así sucesivamente.
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Fuente de la imagen: pixabay.com / webandi
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