Understanding Network Switches: A Complete User Guide

A network switch is a wired hub device primarily used to connect multiple users and devices to a single computer network. In home, business, or industrial computer networking and connectivity setups, the primary function of network switches is to create a physical link between online resources and devices through a single multi-port access point. This setup allows users on the same network to share access to various resources and devices.

Typical examples of resources connected via network switches include:

• Incoming internet connections, usually facilitated by a router.
• Various external storage and file-sharing devices, such as high-capacity hard drives or server arrays
• An assortment of key hardware and peripherals, including desktop computers, laptops, gaming consoles, smart TVs, UPS power supplies, and printers.

Network switches are often called ethernet switches or LAN switches (Local Area Network). These terms highlight their reliance on cabled connections to facilitate networking activities within a relatively confined physical area, such as a single office.

To fully understand how an ethernet switch operates, it’s essential to be aware of the different types available. While we’ll explore these in detail later, let’s first address the fundamental question: 'What does a network switch do?'

A network switch serves as a central hub in a computer network, providing wired connections for multiple devices and resources. This allows data, internet connectivity, and other resources to be shared among the network users. Some switches also feature an onboard software interface that lets you manage and control these connections.

At its simplest, a network switch can be considered as a large USB hub, but one specifically made to accept ethernet or RJ45 cables. This enables multiple devices to share a single wired internet or data connection.

A standard internet router will likely include at least one built-in ethernet port, but probably not more than two or three for midrange models. To provide a far more robust connectivity solution that allows you to hook in multiple devices and resources - thus creating a more complex Local Area Network, or LAN – you will need to add a network switch.

Network switches are usually connected directly to a router or server. Their primary function is to offer more ports for plugging in additional ethernet cables, thereby expanding the network. The type and model of LAN switch you choose will largely depend on the size and scope of the network you intend to create.

Accordingly, the number of ethernet ports a given switch provides can range from as few as three, up to 50 and beyond. Where heavy-duty industrial network switches are needed, it’s even possible to find versions offering 100 or more, although these are considerably less common.

Many people often confuse network switches and router due to their closely related functions. However, the key difference between these two pieces of hardware is fairly straightforward once you grasp their distinct roles.

A network switch allows multiple devices within the same network to communicate with each other. It acts as an intermediary, ensuring that data packets are efficiently sent to the correct device within the local network.

On the other hand, a router connects multiple different networks, enabling them to communicate with one another. For example, a typical ISP-supplied Wi-Fi router facilitates communication between the external internet and the local network within your home or office. Unlike a router, a network switch cannot connect to external networks; its purpose is to enhance the internal network's flexibility and performance that the router connects to the internet.

The confusion between routers, switches, and hubs often arises because some devices integrate features from all three types of hardware, typically by including multiple built-in ethernet ports. Despite these overlapping features, it is important to understand that the fundamental functions of a router, hub, and switch remain distinct, even when combined into a single device.

When choosing the ideal ethernet switch for your networking needs, suppliers and manufacturers usually categorize their products by speed. The primary speed categories are:

• Fast Ethernet switches (FS) - 10/100 Mbps (standard IEEE 802.3u)
• Gigabit network switches (GS or JGS) - 10/100/1000 Mbps (standard IEEE 802.3-2008)
• Ten-gigabit network switches (GSS) - 10/100/1000/10000 Mbps (standard IEEE 802.3a)

Additionally, you might come across other ethernet speeds and standards, such as 2.5 Gbps, 5 Gbps, 25 Gbps, 40 Gbps, 50 Gbps, or even 100 Gbps, which are typically designed for specialised applications.

It's important to remember that the most suitable network switch for home use might not be the best choice for small businesses, industrial settings, or enterprise environments.

In fact, each of these applications will have considerably different requirements to consider, largely depending on the scale and speed of connectivity you need to create a stable and strong-performing network. While speed is always an important consideration, another key specification is the number of ports the specific switch offers.

More ports mean greater flexibility across the network, but the amount of traffic able to flow through the network at any one time - in other words, the number of connected devices and users a network can comfortably support - will be limited by various factors, not least the bandwidth of your internet connection.

In trying to decide how many network switch ports a particular setup requires for optimal convenience and performance, it’s wise to consider the following factors:

• How many wired devices you want to connect, bearing in mind potential future device purchases
• How much you are willing to spend on a network switch
• Whether you would prefer to use a managed or unmanaged switch
• Whether you require or can make use of advanced PoE models (either now or in the future)
• What sort of bandwidth your current router and/or internet connection can comfortably support, and whether you may need to upgrade

Popular choices for home networking often include small-to-medium sized hubs, such as 4-port, 5-port or 8-port network switches. Meanwhile, while more complex enterprise or server networks may require far more capable hardware such as a 64-port PoE switch.