3 best computer networking switches

Computer networking switches are critical components in the infrastructure of local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). These devices play a key role in facilitating communication between various devices within a network. Here are some key points about networking switches:

Switch Functionality:
- A network switch is a hardware device that connects multiple devices within a LAN. It operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model and uses MAC addresses to forward data to the appropriate destination.
Packet Switching:
- Switches use packet switching to forward data. Unlike hubs, which broadcast data to all devices in a network, switches selectively forward data only to the device that needs it. This enhances network efficiency and reduces unnecessary traffic.
Port-Based Connectivity:
- Switches have multiple ports, each representing a connection point for a device. Devices within the network are connected to these ports, and the switch intelligently directs data to the specific port where the destination device is located.
Managed vs. Unmanaged Switches:
- Switches can be either managed or unmanaged.Unmanaged switches operate automatically without user intervention, while managed switches offer greater control and configuration options. Managed switches are often used in larger and more complex networks.
VLAN Support:
- Many switches support Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs), allowing network administrators to logically segment a physical network into multiple virtual networks. This enhances security and network management.
Power over Ethernet (PoE):
- Some switches support Power over Ethernet, which allows the transfer of electrical power along with data over Ethernet cables. This feature is commonly used to power devices like IP cameras and VoIP phones.
Quality of Service (QoS):
- QoS features in switches prioritize certain types of data traffic, ensuring that critical applications receive higher priority for bandwidth. This is crucial for maintaining the performance of real-time applications like voice and video.
Redundancy and High Availability:
- In enterprise networks, switches often support features like link aggregation and redundant power supplies to enhance network reliability and availability.
Stacking:
- Stacking allows multiple switches to be interconnected and managed as a single unit. This simplifies network management and can provide increased bandwidth between switches.
Security Features:
- Switches may include security features such as access control lists (ACLs) and port security to control access and protect against unauthorized access to the network.

When selecting a switch, considerations include the size and requirements of the network, the need for advanced features, and the budget. Understanding the specific needs of the network and the features provided by different switches is crucial for effective network design and management.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best computer networking switches on the market

TP-Link - TL-SG105 5 Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch - Ethernet Splitter | Plug & Play | Fanless | Sturdy Metal w/ Shielded Ports | Traffic Optimization | Unmanaged | Limited Lifetime Protection(TL-SG105) Black

TP-Link

Based on 49 reviews Check latest price

Product description

One Switch Made to Expand Network 5× 10/100/1000Mbps RJ45 Ports supporting Auto Negotiation and Auto MDI/MDIX
Gigabit that Saves Energy Latest innovative energy-efficient technology greatly expands your network capacity with much less power consumption and helps save money
Reliable and Quiet IEEE 802.3X flow control provides reliable data transfer and Fanless design ensures quiet operation
Plug and Play Easy setup with no software installation or configuration needed
Advanced Software Features Prioritize your traffic and guarantee high quality of video or voice data transmission with Port-based 802.1p/DSCP QoS and IGMP Snooping
Study Metal Case Fanless Quiet Design, Desktop or Wall-mounting Design. Operating Temperature: 0 degree Celsius 40 degree Celsius (32 degree Fahrenheit 104 degree Fahrenheit)
Limited Lifetime Warranty Industry leading limited lifetime warranty and free 24/7 technical support

User questions & answers

Question:	What port would you plug the lan cable coming from the router into on the 24 port gigaswitch
Answer:	It should work fine. Keep in mind this is a gigabit switch and cat8 would more typically be used for 10gb networking but its all compatible.
Question:	Is this model wall-mountable? Does it have the little "screw-guides" to hang it on the wall
Answer:	Your configuration should look like this: (Internet) Cable -> ARRIS TG1672G -> Port 1, 2, 3, or 4 -> Netgear 8-Port Switch Your Cable Modem provides 4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports and when you connect the Netgear 8-Port switch you lose 2 ports (one on the cable modem & one on the Netgear and end up with 10 Gigabit Ethernet Ports instead of 4. No configuration is needed. If one of the devices you're adding is a Wi-Fi router, then your configuration will look like this: (Internet) Cable -> ARRIS TG1672G -> Port 1 -> Wi-Fi Router -> Netgear 8-Port Switch. If you want all devices to be able to see each other, then you can have up to 7 of them plugged into the Netgear Router.
Question:	what is the difference between the smart switch and the unmanaged switch
Answer:	No. It's top speed is Gigabit (1000 Mbps), but it will work with 10/100 Mbps devices well. It's not just limited to Internet but any devices that wish to communicate with each other i.e. computer to Network Attached Storage (NAS) device, etc ... and usually those devices have gigabit Ethernet ports so they can communicate with each other at the gigabit speeds.
Question:	Does this have a web GUI or do I have to use the TP-Link software for configuration
Answer:	Make your flow as follows: Modem -> Wi-Fi Router -> Netgear 16-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch. All your devices (up to 15 of them) will get their IP address from the Wi-Fi Router. You may also want to consider labeling your cables. I have two 16-port switches, one Unmanaged (for Internet) and one Managed (for private network), and all the cables are both color-coded and labeled.

Product features

Gigabit Ports for More Reliable Speeds

Increase the reliability of your connected devices with the TL-SG105 5-port Gigabit desktop switch. 5x non-blocking gigabit ports enable instant transferring of large, bandwidth-intensive files without interference.

Multiple User Scenarios

The TL-SG105 Desktop Switch provides an easy way to increase the reliability of your network server connections. Whether needed for your home or office network, TL-SG105 helps you get business done easily.

A Switch Made to Connect

TL-SG105 can easily expand your network in a number of ways. Simply connect it to a WiFi device, such as a router or range extender, and transmit reliable internet to up to four connected devices to experience better performance.

Premium Quality. Longer Life.

TL-SG105 features a durable and sleek high-quality casing, innovative green technology to save energy, and shielded ports to prevent static interference when transferring files.

Plug and Play

The plug and play design makes set up easier than ever before, no IT professional required. Each port features the auto-negotiation feature to sense the link speed of a network device and intelligently adjust to ensure compatibility and the best performance.

NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS305) - Home Network Hub, Office Ethernet Splitter, Plug-and-Play, Fanless Metal Housing, Desktop or Wall Mount

NETGEAR

Based on 20 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The NETGEAR 5 Port Gigabit unmanaged Switch provides an easy, reliable, and affordable way to expand your network connections in homes and small offices. It is plug and play and features a rugged metal case. Features also include Auto MDI/MDI, LED indicator on Each port, energy effi¬cient technology, fan less design, auto negotiation and non blocking switching architecture.

Plug and play: Simple setup with no software to install or configuration needed
Versatile mounting options: Supports desktop or wall mount placement
Silent operation: The Fanless design means zero added noise wherever its located, making it ideal for noise sensitive environments
Peace of mind warranty – Covered by an industry leading 3 year limited hardware warranty
Energy efficient: Designed to optimize power usage, lowering its cost to operate; Most models are compliant with IEEE802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet mode
Built to last: Every Netgear Network switch is rigorously tested for reliability, quality, and performance

User questions & answers

Question:	I am using cat 8 cables. Will this product work? If not what other switch do i need
Answer:	It should work fine. Keep in mind this is a gigabit switch and cat8 would more typically be used for 10gb networking but its all compatible.
Question:	Should this connect to arris tg1672g without any configuration on either side? the arris combines "..a 4-port gigabit router.." not working for me
Answer:	Your configuration should look like this: (Internet) Cable -> ARRIS TG1672G -> Port 1, 2, 3, or 4 -> Netgear 8-Port Switch Your Cable Modem provides 4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports and when you connect the Netgear 8-Port switch you lose 2 ports (one on the cable modem & one on the Netgear and end up with 10 Gigabit Ethernet Ports instead of 4. No configuration is needed. If one of the devices you're adding is a Wi-Fi router, then your configuration will look like this: (Internet) Cable -> ARRIS TG1672G -> Port 1 -> Wi-Fi Router -> Netgear 8-Port Switch. If you want all devices to be able to see each other, then you can have up to 7 of them plugged into the Netgear Router.
Question:	Do i have to have 1gig internet speed to have this or no
Answer:	No. It's top speed is Gigabit (1000 Mbps), but it will work with 10/100 Mbps devices well. It's not just limited to Internet but any devices that wish to communicate with each other i.e. computer to Network Attached Storage (NAS) device, etc ... and usually those devices have gigabit Ethernet ports so they can communicate with each other at the gigabit speeds.
Question:	how to get plug and play to work? 14 ports not putting out IP, have modem and wifi router connected, but cant get other ports to work
Answer:	Make your flow as follows: Modem -> Wi-Fi Router -> Netgear 16-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch. All your devices (up to 15 of them) will get their IP address from the Wi-Fi Router. You may also want to consider labeling your cables. I have two 16-port switches, one Unmanaged (for Internet) and one Managed (for private network), and all the cables are both color-coded and labeled.

Product features

Easy, Plug-and-Play Setup

Simply plug in your devices. No configuration or software required.

Energy Efficient Design

Energy efficient technology provides power savings for your home.

Backed by 3 Year Limited Product Assurance

Plus 90 day technical support 24 hrs/day, 7 days a week.

Trust the Networking leader

NETGEAR is the brand of choice when it comes to home networking solutions.

TP-Link 8 Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch - Ethernet Splitter | Plug & Play | Fanless | Sturdy Metal w/ Shielded Ports | Traffic Optimization | Unmanaged | Limited Lifetime Protection (TL-SG108)

TP-Link

Based on 21 reviews Check latest price

Product description

TP-Link 8 Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch.

【One Switch Made to Expand Network】8× 10/100/1000Mbps RJ45 Ports supporting Auto Negotiation and Auto MDI/MDIX
【Gigabit that Saves Energy】Latest innovative energy-efficient technology greatly expands your network capacity with much less power consumption and helps save money
【Reliable and Quiet】IEEE 802.3X flow control provides reliable data transfer and Fanless design ensures quiet operation
【Plug and Play】Easy setup with no software installation or configuration needed
【Advanced Software Features】Prioritize your traffic and guarantee high quality of video or voice data transmission with Port-based 802.1p/DSCP QoS and IGMP Snooping
【Study Metal Case】Fanless Quiet Design, Desktop or Wall-mounting Design. Operating Temperature: 0 degree Celsius ~40 degree Celsius (32 degree Fahrenheit ~104 degree Fahrenheit)
【Limited Lifetime Warranty】Industry leading limited lifetime warranty and free 24/7 technical support

Product features

Gigabit Ports for More Reliable Speeds

Increase the reliability of your connected devices with the TL-SG108 8-port Gigabit desktop switch. 8x non-blocking gigabit ports enable instant transferring of large, bandwidth-intensive files without interference.

Multiple User Scenarios

The TL-SG108 Desktop Switch provides an easy way to increase the reliability of your network server connections. Whether needed for your home or office network, TL-SG108 helps you get business done easily.

A Switch Made to Connect

TL-SG108 can easily expand your network in a number of ways. Simply connect it to a WiFi device, such as a router or range extender, and transmit reliable internet to up to seven connected devices to experience better performance.

Premium Quality. Longer Life.

TL-SG108 features a durable and sleek high-quality casing, innovative green technology to save energy, and shielded ports to prevent static interference when transferring files.