Managed Switch

Used Managed Switch or Refurbished Managed Switch of Brocade, Cisco, Dell, EMC, HP, AVAYA, Nortel IBM, and Sun Microsystems in UAE.

What is a managed switch?

A managed switch is a type of network switch that provides more advanced features and capabilities than an unmanaged switch. Unlike unmanaged switches, managed switches allow administrators to configure and monitor various aspects of the network.

Some of the features provided by managed switches include VLAN (Virtual LAN) support, QoS (Quality of Service) configuration, port mirroring, link aggregation, and SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) management. With VLAN support, administrators can create virtual networks that allow different groups of devices to communicate with each other while remaining isolated from other groups.

QoS configuration allows administrators to prioritize network traffic based on specific criteria, such as bandwidth requirements or application type. Port mirroring allows network traffic from one port to be mirrored to another port, which can be useful for network monitoring and troubleshooting.

Link aggregation allows multiple physical links to be combined into a single logical link, which can provide increased bandwidth and redundancy. Finally, SNMP management allows administrators to remotely monitor and manage network devices, including managed switches.

How to choose between a managed switch?

Choosing between a managed switch and an unmanaged switch depends on several factors that should be considered based on your network requirements. Here are some factors to consider:

Network size: 

If you have a small network with only a few devices, an unmanaged switch may be sufficient. However, if you have a larger network with multiple devices and users, a managed switch would provide more control and customization options.

Network complexity: 

If your network is relatively simple with basic connectivity needs, an unmanaged switch may be sufficient. However, if you need advanced features such as VLAN support, QoS, or link aggregation, a managed switch would be required.

Security requirements: 

If you need to ensure the security of your network, a managed switch with features such as MAC address filtering, port-based security, and VLAN segmentation would be more appropriate.

Scalability: 

If you anticipate that your network will grow in the future, a managed switch would be a better choice as it allows for easier expansion and customization.

Budget: 

Managed switches tend to be more expensive than unmanaged switches, so if cost is a concern, an unmanaged switch may be the better option.

In summary, if you have a small and simple network with basic connectivity needs and a tight budget, an unmanaged switch may be sufficient. However, if you have a larger network with advanced requirements and need more control and customization options, a managed switch would be the better choice.

Managed Commercial-Grade Switches

Managed Industrial Grade Switches

How Does Managed Switch Work?

A managed switch works by allowing network administrators to monitor and configure various aspects of the network through a management interface. The management interface can be accessed through a web browser or a command-line interface (CLI).

Here are some of the key features and functions of a managed switch:

VLAN support: 

Managed switches allow administrators to create virtual LANs (VLANs) to segment the network into smaller, more manageable subnetworks.

QoS configuration: 

Managed switches enable administrators to prioritize network traffic based on specific criteria, such as bandwidth requirements or application type.

Port mirroring: 

Managed switches allow administrators to mirror network traffic from one port to another for monitoring or troubleshooting purposes.

Link aggregation: 

Managed switches allow administrators to combine multiple physical links into a single logical link, which can provide increased bandwidth and redundancy.

SNMP management: 

Managed switches support the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), which enables administrators to remotely monitor and manage network devices.

To use these features, administrators log in to the management interface of the switch and configure the desired settings. The management interface may include a graphical user interface (GUI) or a command-line interface (CLI) for configuration.

Once the configuration is complete, the managed switch will use its firmware and hardware to implement the desired settings. For example, if a VLAN is configured, the switch will use its hardware to create separate subnetworks for each VLAN.

Features of a Managed Switch:

Managed switches offer a variety of features and capabilities that provide network administrators with greater control and flexibility in managing their networks. Here are some of the key features of a managed switch:

VLAN support: 

Managed switches allow administrators to create and manage virtual LANs, which can help to segregate network traffic and improve network security.

Quality of Service (QoS): 

Managed switches can prioritize network traffic based on specific criteria, such as bandwidth requirements or application type, which can help to ensure that critical traffic gets the necessary bandwidth and priority.

Port mirroring: 

Managed switches can copy network traffic from one port to another, which can help with network monitoring, analysis, and troubleshooting.

Link aggregation: 

Managed switches can combine multiple physical links into a single logical link, which can improve network bandwidth and redundancy.

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP): 

Managed switches support STP, which helps to prevent loops in the network topology and ensure that there is always a valid path for network traffic.

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP): 

Managed switches support SNMP, which enables network administrators to monitor and manage network devices remotely.

Access Control Lists (ACLs): 

Managed switches support ACLs, which allow administrators to control network access by filtering traffic based on specific criteria, such as source IP address or protocol.

Layer 3 switching: 

Some managed switches support Layer 3 switching, which enables them to route network traffic between different subnets or VLANs.