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Gigabit Ethernet Switch Selection Guide

In recent times, high-speed networks have become the pursuit for businesses and households across the globe, making daily life more comfortable and facilitating business growth. Gigabit switches play an important role in building high-speed networks and are widely used around the world. This article introduces the different types of 1G network switches, and how to choose the right Gigabit Ethernet switch, as well as FS switch recommendations.

What is a Gigabit Switch?

A gigabit switch is a type of Ethernet network switch that allows devices to be connected to a LAN at speeds of 1 Gbps or higher. Gigabit Ethernet replaced Fast Ethernet as a new network standard for increased speed. A Gigabit Ethernet switch is a higher version of a Fast Ethernet switch, meeting the demands of internet service providers for high speeds. 1G Ethernet switches are available in a variety of configurations, forming various types of switches to provide different services:

Unmanaged switches are designed to be plug-and-play with fixed configuration, providing basic connectivity for a small LAN or single user. These switches are normally used in small businesses where precise network control is not as crucial.

Managed switches are designed with greater control and advanced functionality to support the user experience, security, manageability, and scalability. They allow Ethernet devices to connect with each other, realizing the ability to configure, manage, and monitor local area network (LAN) traffic.

Smart switches feature limited management functions, allowing traffic self-management. They offer less scalability than other switches and can be used as infrastructure for smaller and less complex networks.

PoE switches support data transmission and power supply for several network devices using an existing Ethernet cable. They greatly simplify cabling and increase the flexibility and reach of connected systems.

FS Gigabit Switches: Suitable for Various Networking Requirements

With extensive industry experience and expertise, FS offers an exclusive line of 1G network switches with a wide range of port types and rich functional features, suitable for a variety of different applications. These switches offer versatile designs for better operational performance, helping to ensure a more secure experience and build a sustainable network for the future.

Models	Ports	PoE Supported	Managed Unmanaged	Features Supported
S3900-48T6S-R	48x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ45 \| 6x 10G SFP+	non-PoE	Managed	QoS, IGMP Snooping, Link Aggregation, IPv6, L3 Static Routing RIP, OSPF
S3900-24T4S-R	24x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ45 \| 4x 10G SFP+	non-PoE	Managed
S5810-28FS	28x 1G SFP, 8x 1G RJ45/SFP Combo \| 4x 1G/10G SFP+	non-PoE	Managed
S5810-48FS	48x 1G SFP \| 4x 1G/10G SFP+	non-PoE	Managed
S3150-8T2FP	8x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ45 \| 2x 1G SFP	PoE+	Managed
S3400-24T4FP	24x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ45 \| 4x 1G RJ45/SFP Combo	PoE+	Managed
S3260-16T4FP	16x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ45 \| 2x 1G SFP, 2x 1G RJ45/SFP Combo	PoE+	Managed
IES3100-8TF-P	8x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ45 \| 2x 100/1000/2500BASE-X SFP	PoE+	Managed	VLAN, QoS, LACP, IGMP, ACL, DHCP, Static Routing, MSTP

How to Select the Right Gigabit Switch for Your Network？

Ethernet switches play a significant role in enterprise network architecture and deserve serious selection. The following are the factors to consider when selecting 1G switches, which can provide you with some guidance.

Number of Ports You Need

First of all, determine how many network switch ports you need for your network. You need to not only calculate the number of connected devices in your home or business environment but also anticipate future connectivity needs. If it’s just for a home network that needs to connect three devices and a router, an 8 or 12-port Gigabit Ethernet switch is appropriate, due to the capability of future-proofing and connectivity for other devices provided. If you need a switch for a large network in a fast-growing enterprise, 24-port and 48-port managed switches are good choices, such as FS S3900-24T4S-R and FS S3900-48T6S-R.

Capability to Power Devices

Power over Ethernet (PoE) has become an important factor for users to consider when purchasing a network switch in recent years. This technology enables the capability to use existing Ethernet cables to power connected devices, such as VoIP phones, network surveillance cameras, or wireless access points. If you need this function, select a PoE Gigabit Ethernet switch. Make sure the power per port (in watts) and the total power budget of the PoE ports meet the needs of your network devices.Check FS S3400-24T4FP to see if it meets your needs.

Features

The features of network switches determine the functions and services they can offer. Unmanaged switches and smart switches lack network management and monitoring capabilities. Managed switches provide features, such as traffic management, troubleshooting, access controls, and monitoring. Some common features, including LACP, VLAN, QoS, IGMP Snooping, Link Aggregation, and OSPF, also need to be considered. FS 1G network switches are designed as managed switches with a rich set of features that encompass the above features.Other features, such as noise, may be overlooked. However, for homes or small offices, it is important to consider the noise generated by 1G network switches. FS S3150-8T2FP switch has a low-power and noiseless design, and supports secure desktop connectivity, suitable for deployments in working areas or home scenarios. In conclusion, before choosing a switch, double-check that it provides the features you need.

Applications

Special application scenarios will place additional requirements on Gigabit switches. For example, industrial scenarios pose higher requirements on the switch in terms of operating temperature, enclosure design, management, and durability. You need to check whether the Gigabit Ethernet switch can keep working well in the application scenario you want.If you need a switch for industrial scenarios, the FS IES3100-8TF-P can meet your needs to maintain stable operation in harsh environments, such as low temperatures and high vibration, and to enable easy network management.

The Closing Thought

To build a future-proof and reliable network, the selection of a switch needs to be done carefully, considering multiple aspects. I hope the above points will be helpful to you. Besides, FS offers a wide range of Gigabit network switches, one of which may meet your needs. check FS.com to know more.

Ethernet Switch vs Splitter—How Much Do You Know?

Today, our lives hardly do without Internet communication. We do shopping, letter writing and business all relying on the Ethernet connections both at home and office. And Gigabit Ethernet switch and splitter are the networking devices that are primarily used for connecting different computers or other networking devices. However, they are quite different. Here focus on Ethernet switch vs splitter.

Ethernet Switch vs Splitter: What Are They?

First, let’s figure out the definitions of the two terms.

What Is Ethernet Switch?

An Ethernet switch is a high speed networking device that provides more ports for subnets to connect more computers, printers, cameras and so on in a building or campus. Through the ports, the data switch can receive incoming data packets and redirects the data to their intended destination within a LAN. Usually, an Ethernet switch not only works at the data link layer which is also called layer 2, but also can operate at the network layer (layer 3) or above.

What Is Splitter?

A network splitter acts as the optical power distribution device, like a coaxial cable transmission system. It’s one of the most important passive devices which means it doesn’t need external power except for light. As the name implies that it can split a single Internet connection to create extra connections, as a result the additional or other computers on a network could be connected.

Ethernet Switch vs Splitter: What Are the Differences?

Ethernet switch can be used for networks that include different devices, for example, a computer and a video game console or a printer. In addition, general switch needs a power input so that it can divide an Ethernet signal into various signals, and the signals can operate at the same time. As a result, different devices can be connected by the switch and work simultaneously.

As for Ethernet splitter, there is no need for power input. And splitters need to be used in pairs. It physically splits a single Ethernet connection into two connections. Simply put, if you want to connect two computers in one room and a switch in another room, then you need the splitters. Instead of using two Ethernet cables from one room to another, the splitters can physically split one Ethernet cable into two to connect the computers and the switch. This is the main principle for the issue that how to use Ethernet splitter.

Ethernet Switch vs Splitter: Where to buy?

The following products of Ethernet splitter vs switch are from FS.COM.

S5800-48F4S Switch

This is a 10gb Ethernet switch that has 48×1GbE SFP ports and 4×10GbE SFP+ ports. With a switching capacity of 176Gbps, it supports comprehensive L2 and L3 network management features. The switch offers MLAG, MPLS, IPv4/IPv6, SNMP etc. Designed with the max power draw of 75W and switching capacity of 176Gbps, this switch is ideal for traditional or fully virtualized data center.

Figure 1: S5800-48F4S Switch

Conlusion

As for Ethernet switch vs splitter, we have known how do Ethernet splitters work and how do switch work. Both of them can optimize our network that allow us to work in an efficient and high secure way. Welcome to visit FS.COM to pick your own Ethernet switch and splitter.

What Is Redundant Link between Switches?

We know that if any chain in the network fails, the operation may break down. Facing this problem, we’ve introduced the stackable switches and together with it is the concept of redundant links. When stacking switches, except the shortest link between switch and the main frame computer, we also prepare other links in case of the break down of the major link. The other links are redundant links between switches.

Introduction of Redundant Link

In order to maintain the stability of the network, composed of multiple switches, some backup connections are usually used to improve the robustness and stability of the network. The backup connection here is also called a backup link or a redundant link. Redundant links in a switches are accomplished through the use of multiple switches or multiple links between switches.

In an enterprise network, a link is redundant if its presence or absence does not affect the nature of the mechanism. That is, even if we remove that link, the mechanism will behave in the same manner.

Pros and Cons of Redundant Link

Pros

The redundancy in networks can improve its reliability. Our intention is that if one device fails, another can automatically take over. By adding a little bit of complexity, we try to reduce the probability that a failure in switch will take the whole network down. Spanning Tree Protocol,the redundancy protocols, can be implemented on any topology or mesh. The Cellular Redundancy provides alternative to running a physical line for redundancy. In addition, with Parallel Redundancy Protocol, we can achieve zero packet loss, “0ms” recovery. And it can be added to any existing network.

Cons

But you cannot have both complexity and reliability at the same time. The more complex something is, the harder it is to maintain, the greater the chance of human error, and the greater the chance of a software bug causing a new failure mode.

The switches between the backup links are often connected to each other to form a loop. The loops can be redundant to a certain extent. The redundant backup of the links can bring robustness, stability and reliability to the network. However, the backup link also causes loops in the network. The loop problem is the most serious problem faced by the backup link. The loop between the switches will cause new network problems: broadcast storm, loops and duplicate frames.

Tips

To make fully use of redundant links, we can minimize the complexity. Select two identical switches as the core switches. If you need gigabit Ethernet switch, for example, you can select two 10 gbe switches that run the same software and have the same connections. We can also introduce the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) which was developed as a Layer 2 loop-avoidance mechanism for redundant links in a switched network. With STP, there will be only one logical path between all destinations on the network and redundant links that could cause a loop are intentionally blocked.

Conclusion

Redundant links are useful to a great extent. That’s why so many people now choose stackable switches rather than standalone ones to maintain the efficient network operation. Stackable switches are now our star products and focal point. We would like to introduce our high quality fiber switch to every people in need of reliable network performance.