Best network switches of 2022: 1, 2, 5 and 10GbE hardware for small business and home office
(Image credit: Chris Ciapala/Pixabay )
Any office with a lot of devices needs to invest in the best network switches available. All those computers, printers, and NAS devices in the office could be putting a lot of pressure on the work network, which is why having a durable and speedy network switch is so crucial.
Regardless of what your budget is or the size of your network, we have network switches that will fit your needs. You’ll find some smaller options meant for just a handful of network-connected devices to larger ones that have a huge amount of ports to accommodate large numbers of network-attached devices. We’ve collected options for just about every need.
Take a look at the top network switches on offer so you can bring your network out of the dark ages and future-proof it for your growing company. You can check out our included price comparison tool to save on the one that you’re considering.
Also take a look at 1Gb vs. 10Gb: which is right for your AV network — as well as our round-up of the best small business routers.
Want your company or services to be added to this buyer’s guide? Please email your request to [email protected] with the URL of the buying guide in the subject line.
(Image credit: Netgear)
1. NETGEAR 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS108)
A tough little 8-port switch for the office
Specifications
Ports: 8
Features: Plug-and-play, internet splitter, sturdy metal case, easy monitoring, gigabit ethernet, lifetime warranty
Colour
Black, Blue, Green
Condition
New
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Solid construction
+
Great performance
Reasons to avoid
—
Can be tricky to track down
This Netgear switch is a sturdy little number that’s capable of handling heavy traffic in a home or office environment.
It has a metal chassis that’s rugged, includes a Kensington lock port and positions eight RJ-45 ports around the back. Netgear advertises 16Gbps switching from the device, which runs its own management software that lets you switch configuration from any device connect to any port. It also comes with a handy utility that helps you find switches on the network.
(Image credit: Netgear)
2. NETGEAR 24-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (JGS524)
Runs efficiently and quietly
Specifications
Ports: 24
Features: Plug-and-play, versatile mounting options, silent operation, prosafe lifetime protection, energy efficient
Condition
New
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Plug-and-play setup
+
Lifetime warranty
Reasons to avoid
—
Pricey compared to some rivals
So quiet you won’t hear a peep out of it, this unmanaged 24-port switch from Netgear can be mounted as a rackmount or desktop switch and is backed by an industry-leading warranty.
It’s plug-and-play, making it suitable for small-to-medium-sized businesses – and it’s power efficient to boot. Additionally, each port is equipped with automatic speed and duplex sensing, in addition to auto uplink to adjust for straight-through or crossover cables to make the right link.
(Image credit: TP-Link)
3. TP-Link 16-Port Fast Ethernet Unmanaged Switch
An affordable and feature-rich switch
Specifications
Ports: 16
Features: Power-saving tech, non-blocking switching architecture, 3.2Gbps switching capacity, 9k Jumbo frame, Supports MCAC address auto-learning and auto-aging, auto-negotiation ports, fanless design, plug-and-play
Colour
Black
Condition
New
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Affordable compared to competition
+
Power-saving tech
Reasons to avoid
—
Efficiency focus means it isn’t the most powerful
If you’re especially concerned about power efficiency, this switch features TP-Link’s energy saving tech that saves power up to 70%.
This 1-port switch has a 3.2Gbps switching capacity and 9k Jumbo frame to improve the performance of large data transfers. It’s one of the quietest switches we’ve tested which is made possible by its fanless design – and because it’s plug-and-play there’s no configuration required. Oh, and it’s as affordable as switches of its kind come. What’s not to like?
(Image credit: Cisco)
4. CISCO SYSTEMS 24-Port Gigabit Switch (SG11224NA)
Can handle bandwidth-intensive scenarios
Specifications
Ports: 24
Features: Plug-and-play, compact and rack-mount versions, energy saving features, bandwidth-saving features
Colour
Black
Condition
New
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Easy to set up
+
No configuration needed
+
Energy-saving functionality
Reasons to avoid
—
Quite large build
Cisco’s monster 24-port Gigabit switch is an unmanaged switch designed for small office spaces.
It’s plug-and-play, requiring zero configuration out of the box, and it’s available in both compact desktop and rack-mount models. As part of the networking giant’s 110 series, it’s designed for bandwidth-intensive video services, and this model can conserve energy by optimising power use without compromising features, which not only helps the environment – it’ll reduce your business’s energy cost too.
(Image credit: Netgear)
5. NETGEAR Nighthawk S8000 8-Port Gigabit Smart Managed Plus Gaming Switch (GS808E)
A unique switch aimed squarely at gamers
Specifications
Ports: 8
Features: Management software, modern design, silent operation, 3year warranty, energy efficient mode, gaming dashboard
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
It’s a gaming switch
+
Silent operation
+
Attractive design
Reasons to avoid
—
Gaming-focused
Who says you can’t do a bit of gaming in a home office? Looking nothing like your conventional switch, this model has been designed with gamers in mind – and it some features that can be found in high-end business models.
In addition to being fanless for whisper-quiet operation, it comes with management software with an easy-to-use GUI that lets you configure, secure and monitor the network it runs on. Its standout feature is a gaming dashboard that lets you view real-time network insights and auto-diagnostics.
(Image credit: Amcrest)
6. Amcrest Gigabit Uplink 9-Port Poe+ Ethernet Switch with Metal Housing
A network switch with power over Ethernet capability
Specifications
Ports: 9
Features: POE + 802.3at, maximum 30w power and 10/10mbp to each POE port, 96w power to all PoE ports, 10/100/1000mbps Gigabit Ethernet Uplink and SFP Optical Fiber uplink, plug and play, LED activity lights
Colour
Black
Screen Type
LED
Condition
New
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
PoE for up to 8 devices
+
Sturdy metal construction
Reasons to avoid
—
Quite bulky and heavy build
Amcrest’s tough metal switch sports PoE (power over ethernet capability, allowing you to power up to 8-PoE devices such as VoIP telephones, IP cameras, computers, TVs, gaming consoles and more over plug-and-play.
Its LED lights indicate which devices are active on the network, and the switch’s light and compact (yet heavy-duty) design means you won’t be concerned when slinging it in a bag to take on the road.
(Image credit: Linksys)
7. Linksys Business 16-Port Network Switch
Can power up to eight devices using power-over-ethernet
Specifications
Ports: 16
Features: Power over ethernet, plug-and-play, QoS traffic prioritisation, Gigabit transfer speeds, supports 802.3at
Condition
New
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
PoE functionality
+
High-speed performance
Reasons to avoid
—
Wide build can take up a lot of space
This unmanaged 16-port switch is housed in a sturdy metal enclosure. The switch is designed to minimise file transfer teams and streams high bandwidth files without interference, making it ideal for streaming high-quality video over the network.
It’s PoE+ capable, meaning that you can power compatible devices using an ethernet connection, with a maximum power consumption of 13.41watts. Moreover, this switch offers huge Gigabit transfer speeds of up to 1,000Mbs, and its QoS (Quality of Service) traffic prioritisation ensure that the most important data always receives top priority.
(Image credit: TRENDnet)
8. TRENDnet 8-Port Gigabit Long Range PoE+ Switch
Sends a long PoE+ signal to power devices far away
Specifications
Ports: 8
Features: PoE+ power, port isolation, low-noise operation, plug and play, TRENDnet Lifetime protection, eight gigabit PoE+ ports
Colour
Black
Condition
New
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Supports PoE+
+
Lifetime warranty
Reasons to avoid
—
Not quite as fast as some other competitors
This switch from TRENDnet has one of the longest PoE+ signals on our list, reaching up to 200m at 10Mbps once its DIP switch is enabled.
It can supply up to 30W of PoE+ power per port with a 65W total budget. Its other features are appealing too – it’s wall mountable, features a fanless design for silent operation and is incredibly easy to install and maintain thanks to its unmanaged nature and plug-and-play design. Oh, and its lifetime warranty will give you peace of mind.
(Image credit: TP-Link)
9. TP-Link 5 Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch
A low-cost network switch that is easy-to-use
Specifications
Ports: 5
Features: plug-and-play, Ethernet splitter, sturdy metal case, IEEE 802.3x flow control, up to 84 percentage power saving
Colour
Black, White
Condition
New
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Simple to set up
+
Traffic optimisation controls
Reasons to avoid
—
Not quite as powerful as enterprise-focused rivals
Designed for use in home office networks, this easy-to-use switch can be set up in just two steps – simply connect it to the power supply, and the connect your various devices.
Its vast feature set includes traffic optimization including IGMP snooping to optimize traffic delivery and ensure a better network experience for applications like IPTV. There’s also QoS (quality of service) functionality which lets admins designate traffic priority to keep voice and video applications clear and free of latency.
(Image credit: D-Link)
10. D-Link 8-Port EasySmart Gigabit Ethernet PoE Switch (DGS-1100-08P)
A switch with a rich feature set designed for offices
Specifications
Ports: 8
Features: 8 x 10/110/1000BASE-T PoE ports, supports 802.1Q VLAN, auto voice VLAN and auto surveillance VLAN, compact desktop enclosure, lifetime warranty
Condition
New
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Supports PoE on all ports
+
Offers plenty of advanced features
+
Lifetime warranty
Reasons to avoid
—
Budget-focused so lacking some key features
With this model, D-Link is targeting businesses who are looking for an affordable switch that doesn’t skimp on advanced features.
It sports L2 switching features including VLAN and QoS, all delivered through a simple interface that will be easy to use for even the most inexperienced of IT managers. The switch also delivers PoE (power-over-ethernet) capability, making it easier for businesses to hook up IP cameras, VoIP phones, wireless access points and other standards-compliant powered devices.
(Image credit: Future)
11. Cisco CBS350-8MGP-2X
A managed switch to solve all your home networking issues
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Fanless
+
Low power consumption
+
Mobile app
+
Dual 10G copper port
Reasons to avoid
—
High priced
—
Few 2.5G and above ports
—
Large case
With the CBS350 series, Cisco has a foothold in the lucrative consumer market which is bound to grow as more people work from home.
The CBS350-8MGP-2X offers the right balance in terms of the number of ports, speed, and features. The fanless design together with great PoE support both in hardware and software makes the unit a treat to deploy and maintain. The web interface and companion mobile application increase the utility of the managed switch by simplifying its configuration.
The CBS350-8MGP-2X is not without flaws as the price is still a bit steep with only four ports 2.5Gbps and over. The case could definitely be smaller if the 10G combo ports were stacked. The CBS350-8MGP-2X remains one of the higher quality switches that we’ve seen and will be a good investment in the long run.
Read our full Cisco CBS350-8MGP-2X review .
(Image credit: Future)
12. TRENDnet TPE-TG380/TEG-S750
Two unmanaged switches that exceed expectations by their simplicity
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Fast
+
Reliable
+
Cheap
+
Easy-to-use
+
Silent
Reasons to avoid
—
Insufficient mounting holes
—
Intricate LED user interface
TRENDnet is bringing high-speed Ethernet to the masses with the introduction of the TEG-S750 and TPE-TG380 which are 10G five ports and 2.
5G eight ports unmanaged switches. The TPE-TG380 adds Power over Ethernet support, allowing for example high-end 4K cameras to be connected and powered over the same wire. The switches are very reliable since they have no moving parts and are extremely simple to use. They are compatible with most modern network infrastructure and are decently priced.
The TEG-S750 has a maximum power consumption of 18W and is heavy given the limited number of ports. It has no mounting hole and is designed to be placed on a desk. Conversely, the TPE-TG380 is bigger but lighter and offers the option of being wall-mounted. Both come with a power adapter as the only accessory and are covered with a lifetime warranty in North America.
Read our full TRENDnet TPE-TG380/TEG-S750 review .
(Image credit: EnGenius)
13. EnGenius ECS2552FP
EnGenius’ new switch is made of pure PoE power
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
740W of PoE power
+
48 GbE ports
+
4 10G SFP
+
Great cloud support and mobile app
Reasons to avoid
—
Loud
—
Flaky firmware update
—
Dual purpose LED for ports
With its 48 Ethernet ports, the new EnGenius ECS2552FP managed switch offers plenty of connectivity even for the most demanding network infrastructure.
The network switch with 32 x 1GbE and 16 x 2.5GbE supports both legacy and modern equipment. If that’s not enough, four additional SFP+ ports allow easy scalability when connected to other ECS2552FP. A 740W PoE power supply available to all copper ports makes running power-hungry devices fuss-free.
What makes the ECS2552FP great is the mobile application and cloud services. They are straightforward to use and make deploying and managing the switch and other EnGenius devices a breeze. On the downside, a loud fan that is always on makes the switch impossible to use on a desk. Furthermore, some parts of the cloud service, such as the firmware upgrade, can be improved. At an MSRP of $1599, the ECS2552FP is priced just about what other similar switches cost.
Read our full EnGenius ECS2552FP review .
Round up of today’s best deals
Reduced Price
Netgear GS108
$54.
99
$33.99
View
See all prices
Netgear JGS524
$297.97
View
See all prices
TP-Link TL-SF1016D
$31.78
View
See all prices
Netgear JGS524NA
$199.99
View
See all prices
Amcrest AGPS8E8P-AT-96
$89.
99
View
See all prices
Linksys LGS116P
$191
View
See all prices
Reduced Price
TRENDnet TPE-LG80
$104.99
$94.99
View
See all prices
Reduced Price
TP-Link TL-SG105
$17.99
$15.99
View
See all prices
D-Link DGS-1100-08P
$127.
97
View
See all prices
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Best Gigabit Ethernet Switches | HighSpeedInternet.com
by
Rebecca Lee Armstrong and Kevin Parrish
Edited by Cara Haynes
Dec 12, 2021 | Share
Equipment Guides, FAQ
Amazon.com prices (as of 11/10/2021 13:31 MST). Read full disclaimer.
Jump to: Compare | Our pick | Best value | Best for gaming | Best for large networks | Best basic switch | What to look for | Our verdict | FAQ
Jump to:
- Compare
- Our pick
- Best value
- Best for gaming
- Best for large networks
- Best basic switch
- What to look for
- Our verdict
- FAQ
Which gigabit Ethernet switch is the best?
The best gigabit Ethernet switch you can get for most use cases is the Linksys SE3008.
It has eight ports, an easy plug-and-play setup, and simple Quality of Service (QoS) features that prioritize audio and video streaming.
However, the best gigabit Ethernet switch for you depends on how many ports and features you actually need for your wired network. But if you want Ethernet switches specifically built for gaming or large networks, we list out top picks for those categories too.
Top Ethernet switches
| Best for | Model | Image | Price* | Number of gigabit ports | Get it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Linksys SE3008 | $39.98 | 8 | View on Amazon | |
| Best value | TP-Link TL-SG108 | $17.99 | 8 | View on Amazon | |
| Best for gaming | NETGEAR Nighthawk GS810EMX | $222.26 | 8 | View on Amazon | |
| Best for large networks | TRENDnet TEG-224DG | $89. 99 |
24 | View on Amazon | |
| Best for power over Ethernet | NETGEAR GS305Pv2 | $49.99 | 5 | View on Amazon |
| Best for | Best overall |
| Model | Linksys SE3008 |
| Image | |
| Price* | $39.98 |
| Number of gigabit ports | 8 |
| Get it | View on Amazon |
| Best for | Best value |
| Model | TP-Link TL-SG108 |
| Image | |
| Price* | $17.99 |
| Number of gigabit ports | 8 |
| Get it | View on Amazon |
| Best for | Best for gaming |
| Model | NETGEAR Nighthawk GS810EMX |
| Image | |
| Price* | $222.26 |
| Number of gigabit ports | 8 |
| Get it | View on Amazon |
| Best for | Best for large networks |
| Model | TRENDnet TEG-224DG |
| Image | |
| Price* | $89. 99 |
| Number of gigabit ports | 24 |
| Get it | View on Amazon |
| Best for | Best for power over Ethernet |
| Model | NETGEAR GS305Pv2 |
| Image | |
| Price* | $49.99 |
| Number of gigabit ports | 5 |
| Get it | View on Amazon |
*Amazon.com prices (as of 11/10/2021 13:31 MST). Read full disclaimer.
Best overall—Linksys SE3008
$39.98*
Specs:
- 8 gigabit Ethernet ports
- Plug and play
- Full duplex
- Auto MDI/MDI-X cable detection
- Energy efficient
View on Amazon
*Amazon.com price as of 11/10/2021 13:31 MST. Read full disclaimer.
According to our research, the Linksys SE3008 is the best Ethernet switch for everyday use in your home network. Using it is as simple as plugging it in, but it offers some QoS functions to streamline your data flow for streaming movies and music.
The switch’s sturdy metal frame can sit on your desk or live in a rack mount, and it features eight front-facing ports with LED status lights so you know when each port is in use.
Pros:
- Sturdy construction
- Simple plug-and-play setup
- Basic QoS for multimedia performance
Cons:
- Higher price than basic switches
- Power jack on opposite side of Ethernet ports
Best value—TP-Link TL-SG108
$17.99*
Specs:
- 8 gigabit Ethernet ports
- Plug and play
- Full duplex
- Auto MDI/MDI-X cable detection
- Energy-efficient design
View on Amazon
*Amazon.com price as of 11/10/2021 13:31 MST. Read full disclaimer.
This eight-port gigabit Ethernet switch is inexpensive but still has all the features you need in an unmanaged network switch. It has a metal frame, basic QoS for traffic optimization, and an automatic power-saving mode.
Plus, its lifetime warranty guarantees that you’re covered if it fails.
Though the TL-SG108 has a metal chassis, it weighs less than 14 ounces. So, the weight of Ethernet connections can move it if it’s not secured correctly, which could be annoying since cord management is messy enough without your switch getting all tangled up.
Pros:
- Low price
- Metal exterior
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Lightweight build
Best for gaming—NETGEAR Nighthawk GS810EMX
$222.26*
Specs:
- 8 gigabit Ethernet ports
- 2 10G/multigig ports
- User-friendly interface
- Energy Efficient Ethernet mode
View on Amazon
*Amazon.com price as of 11/10/2021 13:31 MST. Read full disclaimer.
The NETGEAR Nighthawk GS808E gaming switch is the only managed Ethernet switch on this list. That makes it a little more advanced and a little harder to set up, but it gives you more control over your network connections.
That’s a huge benefit if you want to configure your connections to prioritize gaming data and reduce latency.
This switch also has superfast max switching speeds, thanks to its two multigigabit Ethernet ports. But all the fancy features make it cost more than unmanaged switches. The benefits outweigh the costs, however. And though the managed switch is a little more difficult to set up, you only have to configure it once.
Pros:
- Low latency design
- User-friendly management software
Cons:
- High price
- More difficult setup than unmanaged switches
Best for large networks—TRENDnet TEG-S24DG
$89.99*
Specs:
- 24 gigabit Ethernet ports
- Plug and play
- Full duplex
- Auto MDI/MDI-X cable detection
- Energy efficient design
View on Amazon
*Amazon.com price as of 11/10/2021 13:31 MST.
Read full disclaimer.
If you need more than five or eight Ethernet ports, this TRENDnet TEG-S24DG network switch has plenty. With 16-port and 24-port options, this gigabit switch is an easy way to expand your connections.
Like other unmanaged Ethernet switches, this device doesn’t have many QoS features like port configuration. But it does follow GREENnet energy saving performance standards that adjust power consumption based on the devices plugged into the switch.
The TEG-S24DG can sit on your desk for easy access or be rack-mounted, but you have to buy the rack-mounting hardware separately.
Pros:
- Plenty of ports
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- No included rack-mounting hardware
Best for power over Ethernet—NETGEAR GS305Pv2
$49.99*
Specs:
- 5 gigabit Ethernet ports
- 63 watts total power
- Plug and play setup
- Fanless housing
- Energy efficient design
View on Amazon
*Amazon.
com price as of 11/10/2021 13:31 MST. Read full disclaimer.
Ethernet cables are typically associated with wired networking, but you can use them to deliver power too. For example, you can install security cameras in locations that lack electrical lines and outlets. Connect an Ethernet cable and the cameras can receive both data and power.
NETGEAR’s GS305P (version 2) provides power up to 30 watts per port, but your maximum total output can be only 63 watts. The “plus” version is $20 more and includes software that allows you to manage the device. If you need more ports and power, the GS316PP has 16 ports and a 183-watt power budget, starting at $399.99. Ouch.
Pros:
- Up to 30 watts per port
- Plug-and-play design
Cons:
- 63-watt power budget
What is an Ethernet switch?
Very simply, an Ethernet switch gives you more Ethernet ports. It’s like a power strip but for network connections instead of electrical ones.
Wired internet connections are faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi. So connecting your PC, gaming console, or streaming device to your router via Ethernet cable can give you an extra boost and keep the buffering blues at bay.
Wireless routers often have a built-in network switch to offer multiple ports (well, except for Eero). But if you run out of Ethernet port real estate on your router, an Ethernet switch is the best way to get more.
Pro tip:
Make sure to get a gigabit Ethernet switch. You can read more about the differences between regular Ethernet and gigabit Ethernet a little further down.
What to look for in a gigabit Ethernet switch
Ethernet switches come in many forms and sizes. To make sure you find the best gigabit switch for your network, keep these things in mind.
Number of ports
The most important factor to consider when buying a gigabit Ethernet switch is how many Ethernet ports you actually need.
It would suck to purchase a device and get everything set up just to find out that you’re a port short.
One key thing to remember here is that one of the ports on your network switch will be used to connect your switch to your router. For example, if you have five devices you want to connect to the Ethernet switch, you’ll actually need six ports.
Gigabit Ethernet switches start out with about five ports on the small side and scale up to dozens. The larger switches are often intended for commercial or business use, but if you need 24 gigabit Ethernet ports for personal use, more power to you.
Pro tip:
When purchasing an Ethernet switch, get one with enough ports for all your wired connections. When you set up your switch, only it should be connected to your router. All your other wired connections should be made through the switch so it can help regulate your network traffic.
Switches vs. hubs
Ethernet switches and Ethernet hubs look similar, and they perform a similar function in your home network.
But you want a switch, not a hub.
An Ethernet hub isn’t as smart as an Ethernet switch. A hub doesn’t know where each piece of information is supposed to go, so it sends every piece of information in your network to every connected device. This creates a bunch of problems that result in poor network performance.
Hubs used to be popular, cheap alternatives to Ethernet switches. But switches are now so inexpensive that it makes absolutely zero sense to buy a hub instead of a switch.
Gigabit Ethernet
Make sure that you get a gigabit Ethernet switch. Gigabit Ethernet supports data speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps, and it’s backward compatible with older Ethernet standards.
Fast Ethernet is one generation older than gigabit, and it reaches speeds up to 100 Mbps. Though that’s plenty of bandwidth for most connections, gigabit Ethernet has been available for twenty years. It’s the current standard, and the cost difference between fast Ethernet and gigabit Ethernet equipment is usually negligible.
Just go gigabit.
Managed vs. unmanaged switches
Most of the devices on our list are unmanaged Ethernet switches. This means that they don’t require any configuration and work right out of the box. Any switch advertised as “plug and play” is an unmanaged switch.
The benefits of unmanaged network switches is that they’re inexpensive and very simple to use. But they don’t give you much control over individual connections.
Managed network switches are generally more expensive and require some configuration. But they allow you to manipulate how and where data flows in your network. Most let you monitor and regulate traffic through the switch and implement QoS.
There are some managed switches that are designed to be easier to configure and meant for residential settings, like the NETGEAR Nighthawk S8000. But because of their advanced features, managed switches are usually found in commercial or business networks.
Our verdict
If you’re in need of more Ethernet ports, go for the Linksys SE3008 network switch.
Its simple plug-and-play setup, eight gigabit Ethernet ports, and automatic QoS traffic prioritization make it the easiest way to expand your home network.
View the Linksys SE3008 on Amazon
HighSpeedInternet.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
FAQ about Ethernet switches
Disclaimer
*Amazon.com Prices as of 6/8/20 13:31 MST. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. HighSpeedInternet.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
Author — Rebecca Lee Armstrong
Rebecca Lee Armstrong has more than six years of experience writing about tech and the internet, with a specialty in hands-on testing.
She started writing tech product and service reviews while finishing her BFA in creative writing at the University of Evansville and has found her niche writing about home networking, routers, and internet access at HighSpeedInternet.com. Her work has also been featured on Top Ten Reviews, MacSources, Windows Central, Android Central, Best Company, TechnoFAQ, and iMore.
Editor — Cara Haynes
Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for seven years, and she’s edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet.com for five years. She graduated with a BA in English and a minor in editing from Brigham Young University. When she’s not editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no one should feel lost in internet land and that a good internet connection significantly extends your life span.
Ideal local network / Sudo Null IT News
The standard local network in its current (averaged) form was finally formed many years ago, where its development stopped.
On the one hand, the best is the enemy of the good, on the other hand, stagnation is also not very good. Moreover, upon closer examination, a modern office network that allows you to perform almost all the tasks of a regular office can be built cheaper and faster than it is commonly believed, while its architecture will become simpler and more scalable. Don’t believe? And let’s try to figure it out. And let’s start with what is considered the correct laying of the network.
What is SCS?
Any structured cabling system (SCS) as a final element of the engineering infrastructure is implemented in several stages:
- design;
- actually, installation of cable infrastructure;
- installation of access points;
- installation of switching points;
- commissioning.
Engineering
Any great business, if you want to do it well, begins with preparation.
For SCS, such preparation is design. It is at this stage that it is taken into account how many jobs need to be provided, how many ports need to be placed, what capacity in terms of throughput should be laid. At this stage, it is necessary to be guided by standards (ISO/IEC 11801, EN 50173, ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A). In fact, it is at this stage that the boundary capabilities of the network being created are determined.
Cable infrastructure
At this stage, all cable trunks are laid to ensure data transmission over the local network. Kilometers of symmetrical pair stranded copper cable. Hundreds of kilograms of copper. The need to install cable ducts and trays — without them, the construction of a structured cabling system is impossible.
Access points
To provide jobs with access to the network, access points are laid. Guided by the principle of redundancy (one of the most important in the construction of SCS), such points are laid in an amount exceeding the minimum required number.
By analogy with the electrical network: the more outlets, the more flexible you can use the space on the territory of which such a network is located.
Switching points, NDP
Next, the main and, as an option, intermediate switching points are mounted. Racks / telecom cabinets are placed, cables and ports are marked, connections are made inside the consolidation points and in the cross node. A switching log is compiled, which is further updated throughout the life of the cable system.
When all installation steps are completed, the entire system is tested. Cables are connected to active network equipment, the network is raised. Compliance with the frequency bandwidth declared for this SCS (transfer rate) is checked, the designed access points are called and all other parameters important for the operation of the SCS are checked. All identified deficiencies are eliminated. Only after that, the network is transferred to the customer.
The physical medium for information transmission is ready. What’s next?
What «lives» in the SCS?
Previously, data from various systems, closed to their technologies and protocols, was transmitted over the cable infrastructure of the local network. But the technology zoo has long been multiplied by zero. And now, perhaps, only Ethernet remains in the “local area”. Telephony, video from surveillance cameras, fire alarms, security systems, utility meter data, access control systems and «smart intercom», after all — all this now goes over Ethernet.
Smart intercom, access control and remote control device SNR-ERD-PROject-2
And the question arises: with the continuous development of technology, do we still need all the parts of a traditional SCS?
Hardware and software switching
It’s time to admit the obvious, in general, thing: hardware switching at the level of crosses and patch cords has become obsolete.
Everything has long been done by VLAN ports, and admins sorting through wires in cabinets with any change in the network structure is an atavism. It’s time to take the next step and just give up crosses and patch cords.
And it seems like a trifle, but if you think about it, the benefits of this step will be greater than the transition to the next cable category. Judge for yourself:
- The quality of the physical signal transmission medium will increase.
- Reliability will increase, because we remove two of the three mechanical contacts from the system (!).
- As a result, the signal transmission distance will increase. Not essential, but still.
- Wardrobes suddenly free up space. And by the way, there will be much more order. And that’s saving money.
- The cost of the removed equipment is not high, but if you take into account the whole scope of optimization, you can also get a good amount saved.
- If there will be no switching with a cross breakdown, it is possible to crimp the client lines immediately under the RJ-45.
What happens? We have simplified the network, made it cheaper, and moreover, it has become less buggy and more manageable. Solid pluses!
Maybe, then, something else to throw away? 🙂
Optical fiber instead of copper core
And why do we need kilometers of twisted pair, when the entire amount of information that goes through a thick bundle of copper wires can be easily transmitted over an optical fiber? Let’s put an 8-port switch with an optical uplink and, for example, PoE support in the office. From the cabinet to the office — one fiber optic core. From the switch to the clients — copper wiring. At the same time, IP phones or surveillance cameras can be provided immediately with power.
At the same time, not only the mass of copper cable in beautiful lattice trays is removed, but also the funds that are needed for laying all this, traditional for SCS, splendor are saved.
True, such a scheme somewhat contradicts the idea of \u200b\u200bthe “correct” placement of equipment in one place, and savings on cable and multiport switches with copper ports will go to the purchase of small switches with PoE and optics.
Client side
Client-side cabling dates back to a time when wireless technology looked more like a toy than a real working tool. Modern «wireless» will easily give speeds no less than cable provides now, but will allow you to untie the computer from a fixed connection. Yes, the air is not rubber, and it will not work to fill it with channels endlessly, but, firstly, the distance from the client to the access point can be quite small (office needs allow this), and secondly, there are already new types of technologies that use, for example, optical radiation (for example, the so-called Li-Fi).
With range requirements within 5-10 meters, which is enough to connect 2-5 users, the access point can fully support a gigabit channel, cost quite inexpensively and be absolutely reliable.
This will save the end user from wires.
Optical switch SNR-S2995G-48FX and gigabit wireless router connected by optical patch cord
office workers, speeds, it can really be done based on the 802.11ac standard.
True, in this case, the approach to connecting devices like IP phones or video cameras changes. Firstly, they will have to provide a separate power supply through the PSU. Secondly, these devices must support Wi-Fi. However, no one forbids leaving a certain number of copper ports in the access point for the first time. At least for backward compatibility or unforeseen needs.
As an example, the wireless router SNR-CPE-ME2-SFP, 802.11a/b/g/n, 802.11ac Wave 2, 4xGE RJ45, 1xSFP
The next step is logical, right?
We will not stop there. Let’s connect the access points with a fiber optic cable with a bandwidth of, say, 10 gigabits. And let’s forget about traditional SCS, like a bad dream.
The circuit becomes simple and elegant.
Instead of heaps of cabinets and trays clogged with copper cable, we put a small cabinet in which a switch with optical «tens» for every 4-8 users «lives», and we pull optical fiber to access points. If necessary, for old equipment, some additional “copper” ports can also be placed here — they will not interfere with the main infrastructure in any way.
Big Cloud Fabric ™ — Komsvyazeneredzhi
New generation Common platform for data centers
Review
BIG Cloud Fabric (BCF) is a switching factory traffic for native cloud applications and software-defined data centers. Inspired by hyperscalability and designed for enterprise data centers of all sizes, this is a scalable SDN fabric with native multi-tenancy support. BCF eliminates the operating paradigm of block-by-block service. In this old-style networking paradigm, the governing principle is the tight coupling of the control layer and the data layer in each network block.
BCF uses a centralized SDN controller and open network switches to provide insight, agility, and deployment flexibility while keeping IT costs low.
INTRODUCTION
The challenge facing enterprise data centers today is to support native cloud applications, drive rapid business growth, and manage budgets.
The network layer is often referred to as the least dynamic component of a data center infrastructure, especially when compared to the computing infrastructure. The proliferation of virtualization technologies has changed the landscape of the server market and made it possible to achieve operational efficiency in managing workflows through automation. The growing popularity of native cloud applications is expected to require even more agility from the fundamental infrastructure.
Most data centers are based on the old network architecture with a block-by-block operating paradigm. This slows down the pace of IT operations and makes it difficult to meet the needs of today’s applications and software-defined data centers.
The widespread use of virtualization requires networks to provide visibility into the traffic within and between virtual machines, as well as the ability to easily connect to the network. Block-by-block network configuration and upgrades are detrimental to the agility of a software-defined data center and should be avoided.
Big Cloud Fabric solves these problems.
WHAT IS BIG CLOUD FABRIC?
BCF is a next-generation data center switching fabric that delivers operational responsiveness, network automation, and traffic visibility to native cloud applications and SDDCs while keeping IT costs low.
BCF uses software-defined networking (SDN) to enhance network analysis, agility, and flexibility.
A. The analytics is powered by a software-defined fabric that acts as a “single logical switch” that simplifies operations, provides complete transparency, and enables telemetry.
B. The is agile through three factors: network automation for rapid deployment of applications and services; one-click diagnostics for quick troubleshooting; installing updates without administrator intervention.
Q. The flexibility of the is achieved through the ability of the BCF fabric to scale to accommodate future growth in server-to-server traffic without prohibitive costs. With the ability to run on open network hardware, BCF allows you to freely choose your vendor and reduce costs.
Based on open network switches (white-box or brite-box) and SDN controller technology, the solution is designed to enable high rates of innovation on a small budget.
The BCF solution is built on the principles of SDN. The architecture of the SDN fabric provides for the separation of the data and control layers in the network, with the subsequent centralization of the functionality of the control layer. In practice, this means moving the policy, management, and most of the control layers out of the hardware device using the SDN controller. The functionality of the device itself is limited, which ensures the stability and scalability of the network. The state of the network is centralized, but implemented hierarchically, rather than transmitted to each access and aggregation switch separately on a block-by-block basis.
The controller-based network design not only enables dynamism through centralized programming and automation, but also simplifies factory design options (e.g., Leaf-Spine L2/L3 Clos), which, when using the block-by-block paradigm, are inconvenient to implement and unstable in work.
The BCF architecture consists of a physical switch fabric based on the Leaf-Spine Clos architecture. If necessary, virtual switches running in the hypervisor can be included in the factory architecture. The Leaf and Spine switches running the Switch Light™ operating system form separate nodes of this physical fabric. The Switch Light Virtual operating system running in the hypervisor allows virtual controllers to be included in the fabric. The analytics tools in the factory are placed hierarchically: the main array is in the BCF controller (where configuration, automation and diagnostics are performed), a part is in the Switch Light operating system to ensure stability and scalability.
Assistance of the LEAF-SPINE CLOS architecture, which underlies BCF
BCF architecture can be considered as a program-determined deregation of traditional chassis:
Platter Claster SD
Chassis Backplane —> Spine Switches
Line Card(s) —> Leaf Switches
The BCF logical chassis architecture—or single logical pod switch—enables data center users to build high-performance, resilient, and scalable pay as you scale») factories based on sites.
The SDN Controller (aka Chassis Supervisor) is a key component without which chassis disaggregation is impossible. It eliminates the need for intervention in the work of the factory, provides factory management from a single point and centralized analytics, which significantly speeds up application deployment and reduces operational costs. In addition, through hardware/software disaggregation, BCF supports a wide range of high-performance (10G/25G/40G/100G) high-density switches, thus providing complete vendor choice and huge savings on capital expenditures.
BIG CLOUD FABRIC COMPONENTS
• BCF Controller Cluster — A centralized, hierarchically implemented SDN controller available as a pair of high availability (HA) hardware devices.
• Switch Light Operating System is a lightweight open source network switch operating system designed specifically for SDN.
• Leaf and Spine Open Network Switches — The term “white-box” or “brite-box” network switches means that Ethernet switches do not come with an embedded operating system.
The off-the-shelf network ASICs that are used in these switches are used in the products of most existing network equipment manufacturers and are widely used in hyperscale data center networks. The switches ship without an operating system, but with an Open Network Install Environment (ONIE) for automatically installing third-party network operating systems, regardless of brand. The Big Switch hardware compatibility list includes a wide range of hardware configurations (10G/25G/40G/100G) and vendors.
Optional:
• VMware vCenter Extension/GUI Plugin — Embedded Network Automation and Admin Visibility Tool for vSphere Server Virtualization Tool and NSX Network Virtualization Tool.
• OpenStack plugin — BCF Neutron plugin or ML2 driver engine for integration with various OpenStack distributions.
• Container plugin is a BCF plugin for various container orchestrators to provide network automation and traffic visibility at the container level.
• Switch Light VX is a high-performance user space software agent built for KVM-based Open vSwitch (OVS) for OpenStack and container use cases.
BCF BENEFITS
Centralized controller and network automation increase operational agility
Since configuration, automation, and most diagnostics are performed through the BCF controller, the network administrator can, no matter how many racks the BCF fabric spans, work in one console to perform these tasks like provisioning new physical capacities, deploying new applications, logical segments, and adding/removing tenants. For example, in a 32-rack area with two Leaf switches and four Spine switches, a traditional network design would require 68 management consoles. The BCF structure uses only one — the controller console, which performs the same functions. The result is significant time savings, reduced error rates, and simplified automation scenarios.
The controller console is a multi-functional management tool: it includes a web graphical interface, a traditional network management command line interface, and REST APIs.
Logical framework with native tenant support enables rapid innovation
In BCF, CLI, GUI, or REST API configuration is based on the concept of logical tenants. Each tenant has administrative control over the L2/L3 policy logical structure that binds edge ports controlled by that tenant. The BCF controller has the necessary analytical tools to translate the logical structure into optimized entries for the Spine, Leaf, and Vleaf forwarding tables.
Using open network switches reduces capital expenditure by more than 50%
Adding hardware, software, maintenance and optical cabling costs, the total direct cost over three years clearly illustrates significant savings. Operational savings across various network workflows achieved through network automation are also significant, as shown in the table below.
| Workflow | Plot of 8 OpenStack racks | 14 rack VMware |
| Dell and Big Cloud Fabric avg. with operating networks | Dell and Big Cloud Fabric avg. with operating networks | |
| Application deployment | 16 times faster | 16 times faster |
| Initial setting | 8 times faster | 8 times faster |
| Link Aggregation/Fabrication | 12 times faster | 18 times faster |
| Programming language | 20 times faster | 30 times faster |
| Connectivity troubleshooting | 12 times faster | 12 times faster |
| Plot Extension | 12 times faster | n/a |
Table 1.
BCF provides responsive operations for a variety of network workflows
Built-in orchestration support simplifies data center operations VIO) and OpenStack through a single API.
This is much simpler and more scalable than block-by-block networks because they require exponentially more software interactions with the CMP. Data center administrators get improved analytics tools, it becomes easier for them to deploy applications and conduct diagnostics in physical and virtual environments.
Scalable (Elastic) Factory
BCF’s flexible, scalable fabric allows users to start at a size and scale that suits their current needs, while also facilitating growth in those needs in the future. With a choice of hardware and software solutions for all layers of the network stack and pay-as-you-grow pricing, you can start small and grow your factory incrementally without being tied down by a fully integrated proprietary solution, which is the way to build a modern data center network. As new switches (physical or virtual) become available, the controller adds them to the fabric and extends the existing configuration, thus reducing the potential for errors that might otherwise occur.
The advantage for customers is that the factory only needs to be set up once.
Datacenter class resiliency
The BCF provides datacenter class resiliency, allowing the fabric to continue operating in the event of a link or node failure, and even in the rare event that a controller pair is unavailable (unmanaged mode). The procedure for replacing a switch (in the event of a hardware failure or remapping the switch) is similar to replacing a line card in a modular chassis. After connecting the cables and powering up, the switch boots, downloading the appropriate image, configuration, and forwarding tables. In addition, the BCF controller coordinates and performs the upgrade of the entire fabric with minimal downtime. All this additionally increases the stability of the factory and simplifies the work.
BCF ARCHITECTURE BENEFITS
The benefits listed above stem primarily from the BCF architecture. Key architectural strengths of BCF include:
Native Tenant Support Configuration Model
BCF has a native tenant concept architecture that enables L3 network policies to be applied to logically defined tenants.
This architectural property allows a single BCF fabric to have multiple tenants in different vCenter servers. This allows BCF to provide distributed L3 services such as adding/removing a logical router, logical segment, etc. across the entire physical SDN fabric at the per-tenant level. In this way, BCF makes it easy to extend compute-level tenant application isolation to the entire SDN fabric through configurations and policies that natively support tenants.
Zero Intervention Workflows
BCF is a factory that requires no administrator intervention thanks to network automation capabilities. In older, block-by-block networks, workflows are typically manual (sometimes script-based, but scripts need to be maintained). This results in a loss of dynamism. The BCF architecture has built-in network automation tools. See the list of automated workflows in fig. 4. Updates are up to 20 times faster than legacy networks. This results in less network downtime, increased agility and a significant reduction in operating costs.
|
Zero Intervention Factory (REST APIs, GUI, CLI) |
|
| Function | Big Cloud Fabric |
| Switch OS installation | Automatic |
| Link Aggregation | Automatic |
| Factory formation | Automatic |
| Switch add/remove | Automatic |
| ESX host and fabric connection | Automatic |
| Migrate network policies using vMotion | Automatic |
| Hitless update | Automatic |
Fabric-wide traffic visibility, diagnostics, and analytics
The BCF GUI provides: (a) Controller, Leaf, and Spine switch health statistics; (b) factory topology, connection schedule, and traffic map; (c) a registry of physical and logical resources; (d) information about the most active users; (e) Fabric-wide path tracking and traffic visibility for both logical paths (segment, router, policy) and physical paths (vSwitch/VTEP, Leaf and Spine switches) to facilitate diagnostics; (f) Analytics tools to visualize factory-wide historical events and logs, as well as virtual machine/container information from associated orchestrators such as VMware vCenter and Kubernetes.
BCF provides graphical views and analytics on health statistics, connections, resources, and network events for both logical and physical paths. This greatly simplifies the diagnosis.
BCF vPOD Technology
With Virtual Pod (vPod) technology, BCF can support duplicate IP addresses and VLANs for isolated vPods within the same SDN fabric. BCF orchestration integrations allow multiple isolated instances of vCenter and/or OpenStack to exist at the same time. It is ideal for managed private clouds and engineering (development and test) environments. BCF includes a fully distributed logical router that allows shared services for host elements connected to multiple vCenter instances. The vPod approach can be extended to container environments as well.
High performance and stability
BCF runs on open network switches and allows you to create a network with a bandwidth of up to 100G. The centralized controller architecture based on Leaf-Spine principles helps BCF handle even multiple failures in seconds without sacrificing application performance.
BCF delivers best-in-class high availability at scale.
Flexible resource allocation
The factory can be configured via the BCF GUI, CLI, or REST APIs. CLI configuration allows network administrators to rely on knowledge of traditional network management commands while natively supporting the concept of tenants for policy enforcement, eliminating the need to configure interfaces for each network unit individually. REST APIs, combined with a tenant-native architecture, allow multiple orchestrators to program and use the same BCF factory for multiple tenants while maintaining consistent network workflows. In this way, BCF is fundamentally different from the old-style networks operating on a block-by-block basis, where the lack of centralized control and logical separation of tenants forces network operators to manage each block separately, which significantly increases operating overheads.
TYPICAL USE CASES
With software-defined data centers and native cloud applications emerging as the new driver of innovation at the network layer, a product like BCF can find application in a range of environments.