Switches: Managed, Unmanaged and Layer-3

netzwerk
hardware
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Switches: Managed, Unmanaged and Layer-3

A switch connects devices in a local network and forwards frames based on MAC addresses.

Unmanaged

Plug-and-play, no configuration, no monitoring. Perfectly sufficient for small networks and home use.

Managed

Offers VLANs, port mirroring, SNMP, QoS, link aggregation (LACP), storm control. Indispensable from a few dozen devices or when multiple networks should run separately.

Layer-3 switch

Can also route (inter-VLAN routing) — replaces a router for internal traffic in many cases. Static routing, often also OSPF.

PoE

Power over Ethernet supplies access points, cameras and IP phones over the network cable (802.3af: 15W, 802.3at: 30W, 802.3bt: 60-90W).

Important operational features

VLANs for separation (e.g. IoT, guests, servers).
Port security: MAC limits against unauthorized devices.
Spanning tree (RSTP/MSTP) against loops.
Plan the PoE budget for end devices.