Switches are used to extend the wired network so that several computers can use the Internet from one additional router at once. This is especially useful in the system blocks without wi-fi, as well as where stability of the connection is important (trading on the brokerage market, working on video). More powerful switches are used to create internal networks and exchange data between departments of the company. The rating of the best switches collected popular models for private use on computers, smart TVs, in small offices, large companies, telephony and video surveillance.
Content:
Top home switches
If there are several desktop computers in the apartment or house, or when laptops are used, but a stable internet connection is needed (work, video communication, important gameplay), then the best home switches for several LAN connectors in a compact package are used. To connect a PC, you need to purchase wires of the desired length.
Netis ST3105S - the most affordable option for the price
This network device has a very low cost of 300 rubles. Despite this, the device is not whimsical in work and regularly serves even when used for 16-20 hours every day. For ventilation, a perforated grill is installed in its top cover.
Power is supplied through the side of the adapter. The back panel is allocated for connectors, where all the ports are equivalent and branch off the network into 5 computers. It is also suitable for combining several gaming machines in the overall process.
Pros:
- Small body is easy to place behind the monitor or in the table;
- light indication on the front panel informs about the device being turned on, the presence in the communication channel;
- automatic MDI detection;
- The energy-saving technology Green Ethernet is introduced into the device, where there is a saving of electricity consumption up to 70%;
- 802.3x protocol support gives high reliability in information transfer;
- does not require any settings (cable connection allows access to the network);
- there are holes for wall mounting.
Minuses:
- the device is hot;
- the bandwidth does not exceed 100 Mb / s, so the device is not suitable for mass downloading and transfer of multimedia.
TP-LINK TL-SF1005D - credit card size
The best switchboard for arranging the home office in white style. A compact case of white plastic, the size of a credit card, will look harmoniously on a light wall. To attach enough double-sided tape on the back of the router.
When mounted on a wall, the diodes showing the number of connected channels appear on the front panel and are clearly visible. LAN ports are located at the top and convenient to connect.
Pros:
- 5 LAN ports with numbering reflected both on the connectors and on the front panel with a connection indicator;
- reasonable price of 400 rubles;
- polarity is determined automatically;
- All ports support 802.3x data transmission with a high degree of encryption;
- the device regularly tests channels and supports up to 2000 MAC addresses that are updated automatically;
- can work with cable up to 100 m;
- Store-and-Forward architecture, which allows the device to create intermediate data storage with frame checking for errors, and only then give it further.
Minuses:
- gets very hot in work;
- may underestimate network speed;
- When using over 100 m of wire (in a large house), data loss begins.
Top Office Switches
When it is necessary to combine several computer machines into a single network, and even on different floors (when renting offices in a large building), they use switches for 6-8 ports.This allows employees to quickly access shared files, and the manager to see how work on projects proceeds.
TP-LINK TL-SG1008D - with elegant appearance
The best office switch has 8 LAN ports for connectivity and a stylish design with a beveled front panel. At the last glow is displayed the presence of power and communication for each channel.
All communications are displayed on the rear panel, so there are no wires in front and sides. A special feature is the bandwidth of 1000 MB / s, which classifies it as Gigabit.
Pros:
- self-learning MAC addresses with new data recipients in memory;
- network upgrade to a whole order of speed;
- transfer large files without sacrificing performance;
- automatic recognition of polarity;
- 802.3x full duplex with high data protection;
- possibility of placement on the wall using special holes in the housing;
- 80% savings in electricity consumption using Green Ethernet technology;
- 8 ports with non-blocking architecture.
Minuses:
- slides on the surface with horizontal installation;
- there is no possibility of a vertical position on the table;
- when you connect a new cable easily flies from the wall mount, so you have to hold the second hand.
D-Link DGS-1100-08 - only functionality
This switch has a simple form of housing, where functionality comes first. The port connection is located on the front panel, on which the diode indicating the presence of power is placed.
The case is strictly rectangular, which allows one-on-one assembly with an increase in the number of computers.
Pros:
- it is not necessary to turn the device over to insert a cable into the connector;
- 8 LAN ports with 1000 Mbps bandwidth;
- the less traffic, the lower the electricity consumption;
- when using cables shorter than 20 m, even less power is needed, which gives an operating temperature of the equipment no higher than 40 degrees;
- automatic disconnection from the power supply of inactive ports;
- easy integration into a common network using the utility;
- automatic cable diagnostics;
- Disabling dedicated ports from learning MAC addresses to create a permanent IP;
- full duplex;
- 8000 MAC addresses with constant testing.
Minuses:
- with 802.1q mode, RX errors are possible;
- no TELNET interface.
Best managed switches for big business
This category of switches has from 12 to 50 ports, which allows you to combine a server and many computers in a large building.
In addition, the network administrator has the ability to distinguish between groups of users, for example, to separate the network of accountants from the network of managers, and monitor the traffic of each channel to see the work and find faults.
TP-LINK TL-SG1024DE - with port mirroring
The device is endowed with 24 LAN connectors with the ability to mirror each connection, which allows the administrator to monitor traffic, check operation and prevent loops and failures.
The connection panel contains all the ports on one side, and the sides of the case are perforated for ventilation. Traffic priority can be adjusted manually by individual ports or tags.
Pros:
- when unused ports are detected, the power to them is automatically terminated, which reduces the overall power consumption by 40%;
- 24 ports with a capacity from 10 to 1000 Mb / s allow instant exchange of large files;
- the stream is controlled by the 802.3x protocol and protected from interception or loss;
- Jumbo frames are supported up to 10,000 bytes, which gives a high accuracy of saving information during transmission;
- cable diagnostics;
- support for prioritizing voice and video messaging;
- segmentation of a network into parts for various needs is possible;
- the choice of power supply depending on the length of the cable;
- enclosure shape suitable for rack mounting;
- 35.7 MB / s packet sending speed contributes to the constant availability of communication channels.
Minuses:
- high cost 6000 rubles;
- cannot be used to transfer data from cameras to the network.
Linksys LGS552 - for a very large network
This switch is suitable for creating a huge network of 50 computers, where you don’t have to mount several devices in a rack, but one for 50 ports is enough.
The equipment has an elongated rectangular shape with perforations on the side panels. Can be mounted on the wall, so as not to take up much space on the table. The switch is managed, which allows the administrator to see where the traffic goes on each computer.
Pros:
- suitable for multi-level buildings and network distribution among multiple offices;
- 50 ports with automatic speed detection from 10 to 1000 Mb / s;
- 2 separate combo connectors;
- management of each channel to monitor the health and consumption of traffic;
- 3 year warranty;
- support of all protocols 802.3 u / ab / z / D / az / ae / ad / x / q / w / X;
- under each port there is an LED indication of activity;
- support up to 16000 MAC addresses ensures that the end user remembers for fast data transfer when other computers are connected;
- 128 MB of RAM.
Minuses:
- weight 5 kg;
- dimensions 440x350 mm;
- high cost of 35,000 rubles.
The best switches for video surveillance and telephony
Such devices not only integrate individual computers into a common network, but also allow them to be connected with other peripheral devices, such as video cameras and telephones.
To do this, their ports have a PoE function that transmits data and power at the same time. So you can save when arranging video surveillance in the enterprise, connecting to the switch and a couple of computers and cameras, placed in the building.
TP-LINK TL-SG1008PE - for 7 video cameras
The model is equipped with 8 PoE ports, which are capable of transmitting both data between computers and the stream from video cameras. This allows you to create a network of video surveillance in a small enterprise of 7 cameras.
Through the separator on the screen (kvarator) you can see the picture from all sources simultaneously. Old MAC addresses that have not been used for a long time, the device finds and deletes on its own.
Pros:
- transmission of each channel 1 Gb / s;
- support standard PoE +;
- the ability to connect IP cameras and IP phones, where power will be provided through a single port;
- saving 75% of electricity when cutting off inactive ports;
- prioritization to maintain constant communication with important devices;
- tabletop or rack mounting;
- the table of MAC addresses with a margin of 8,000 pieces;
- internal power supply (from the outside only a cable with a plug);
- independently recognizes the polarity of the MDI connection;
- availability of its own buffer of 2 MB;
- when used without video cameras (only for computers) consumes 9.5 watts per channel;
- 802.3х full duplex mode;
- The width of the main channel at 16 Gb / s allows you to save data in full.
Minuses:
- The total power consumption is 124 W, when using one port up to 30 W, causes other channels to turn off at maximum priority (8x30 = 240 W, and a maximum of 124 W can be used);
- high price 6000 rubles.
Ubiquiti EdgeRouter X SFP - in a miniature package
The switch has a compact size due to the removal of the power supply in a separate case. This design makes it convenient for discreet placement on the table and connecting several phones with IP technology. The device has 5 outputs PoE and light indication for each.
Pros:
- The device has its own 256 MB RAM;
- 5 ports with gigabit bandwidth;
- separate SFP port;
- own processor on 2 cores with a frequency of 880 MHz for processing data flow;
- combining several ports into a switch to reduce the load;
- management through the TELNET interface;
- low power consumption of 5 watts per channel.
Minuses:
- only 1 year warranty;
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