Managed switches are built for business, office and server-room networks that need VLANs, access control and remote management. Our range has over 480 models, from simple L2 switches for a small office to L3 equipment for a network core. You will find Cisco, HPE, TP-Link, Zyxel and other manufacturers.
How to choose a managed switch
Switch layer. An L2 switch forwards traffic by MAC address and is enough when the network is not split into many subnets. If separate VLANs must exchange traffic without a dedicated router, you need an L3 model. Most of our range is L2, but L3 and L2/L3 switches are available too.
Port speed and count. Many of our switches have Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) RJ-45 ports, which is enough for most workstations. Fast Ethernet, 2.5G and 10G Ethernet models are also available. Buy with some spare capacity and check for SFP or SFP+ slots if you need a fibre uplink to another switch or a server.
PoE power. If the switch will power Wi-Fi access points, IP cameras or IP phones, choose a PoE model. Look at the total PoE power budget rather than the port count alone.
Management and security. Managed switches are configured through a web interface, a command line or a cloud platform, and can be monitored over SNMP. Check that the features you need, such as 802.1X, ACLs or stacking, are included in the model itself, as some may depend on a licence.
MAC table and environment. In our range the MAC address table ranges from 2,000 to 32,000 entries: a smaller one is enough for a small office, while a large network with many devices and virtual machines benefits from a bigger one. If the switch will not sit in a server room, check the operating temperature: many models are rated for 0 to 40 or 50 °C, and some tolerate colder surroundings, down to -20 °C.
Managed switch brands we carry
- Cisco: Catalyst switches running IOS XE are a standard in enterprise networks, and many network administrators already know their command line from training.
- HPE (HP Enterprise): the company owns the Aruba networking line, well known in business and campus networks.
- TP-Link: the JetStream and Omada series are aimed at small and medium offices, and Omada lets you manage the equipment from one place.
- Zyxel: known for business networking equipment and its Nebula cloud management.
- Alcatel: Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise makes OmniSwitch switches for business networks.
- D-Link and NETGEAR: both offer managed switches for small businesses, and NETGEAR is also known for its M series for audio and video networks.
- Ubiquiti: UniFi switches are managed through the UniFi Network application together with the same maker's access points.
- Huawei: CloudEngine and S series switches are used from offices to data centres.
- PLANET: a Taiwanese manufacturer known for industrial and PoE switches.
Also in our range: Allied Telesis.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a managed and an unmanaged switch?
A managed switch can be configured, while an unmanaged one works only with its factory settings. A managed switch lets you create VLANs, restrict access, monitor traffic and prioritise certain types of data. An unmanaged switch is enough when you simply need to connect a few devices without any rules.
Does a small office need an L3 switch?
Usually not. An L2 model is enough when a router or firewall handles traffic between VLANs. An L3 switch makes sense when a lot of traffic passes between VLANs and you want the switch itself to route it.
When do I need a PoE switch?
You need PoE when a device should receive power over the same network cable, for example a Wi-Fi access point, an IP camera or an IP phone. The key figure is the total PoE power budget, as it shows how many devices the switch can power at the same time.
Can switches from different manufacturers work on the same network?
Yes, because core standards such as Ethernet and 802.1Q VLANs are shared by all manufacturers. Vendor-specific features, such as stacking or cloud management, generally work only within the same product line.
