There are three main types of network switches available on the market; 

• Managed Switches 
• Unmanaged Switches 
• Smart Switches

Which one should you choose? Which one is best among the two? Which switch will work best for you? All these questions and more are answered in this blog post. However, the scope of this post is limited to managed and unmanaged switches only. For sure! We would love to talk about smart switches on another day! 

What are Managed Switches?

A managed network switch allows communication between Ethernet using devices and has a bulk of features for managing, configuring, and traffic monitoring on LAN. It is easy to use, accessible, and provides more control over data flow between different networks.

Along with managed network switches, there are other switches in the market, like smart switches, designed to meet different size demands. However, the management features of smart switches are not as comprehensive as those offered in managed switches. 

The type of switch depends upon the user's demand. If he wants a switch with a limited cost, a smart switch works best for him, especially when he does not need all the managed switch features.

What are Unmanaged Switches?

It is the type of switch which allows communication between Ethernet using devices through a network connection. However, its drawback is that it lacks all manageable features. Unmanaged switches only work when they are plugged in; that is why they are also called plug-and-play devices. 

Here's discussed the differences between managed and unmanaged switches;

Key Differences between Managed and Unmanaged Switches

The market is flooded with all sorts of managed and unmanaged switches, whereas its pros and cons vary from person to person. Here are some significant differences between managed and unmanaged switches;

How to Choose Between Managed and Unmanaged Switch?

The network managers must select the most suitable network switch for the network system to operate well. But the question arises that how shall a switch be chosen for practical network demand? Managed or unmanaged, which one to go for? Before deciding, you must ask yourself the following questions;

Where do you want to deploy the switch?

For the users who buy switches only for domestic purposes and want them at low prices, plug-and-play switches work best for them. However, if the user wants to have more control over the network and is considerate about privacy, he must go for a managed switch, even for domestic use. 

All businesses, despite their size, require better network security, so it is the best advice for entrepreneurs to go for managed switches as it prevents unauthorized access and cyberattacks using robust security protocols. In addition to cyber security, managed switches keep the network working even in high traffic loads, a common 

How many users or devices will share? 

While choosing a network switch, one must consider the number of users. For instance, networks used in homes or smaller businesses with lesser traffic load would deal best with unmanaged switches. It lacks advanced features, unlike managed switch features, such as VLAN_ specifically used to separate network traffic. 

However, if the network has to work with multiple users and is expected to handle more traffic, users must go for a managed switch due to its advanced features. Besides VLAN, it also has the following features; redundancy, ACLs, and STP, which prevent downtime and data loss. Its STP feature allows an alternative path for traffic even if the cable or link fails.

Do you need to control network traffic?

If you answer it in the affirmative, then the managed switch is best for you as it allows you to configure, manage and monitor LAN settings. It also provides:

• User control over LAN traffic.
• Creation of VLANs. 
• Restriction of selected services on selected ports 
• Access control for traffic coming from a specific segment
• Integrated security against external attacks 

For example, consider an office network shared between technicians and managers. Using a managed switch, you can limit the access to information for technicians. 

Do you have professionals?

This question is fundamental, particularly for emerging businesses. At times, the configuration and maintenance of managed switches require professional involvement. If you have networking professionals and experts available in your company, you can consider managed switches. Remember! Troubleshooting a managed switch will require professional-level expertise. 

What will be the application of these switches?

Are you looking to expand your network or willing to have a few additional ports for connecting your devices to edge switches? If you seek a switch for expanding your network, you are good to go with an unmanaged switch. Whereas, if you are looking for an edge switch, you should make a careful choice. Generally, unmanaged and smart switches can work fine when deployed at the edge of the network. However, when it comes to critical and downtime-sensitive applications or when it comes to cyber security concerns, you must go with a managed switch.  

Conclusion

After analyzing the questions discussed above, the user would easily choose between managed and unmanaged switches. A managed switch is best for businesses where the network is shared between various user segments. 

In contrast, unmanaged switches work fine for domestic users and small enterprises with simple network requirements. However, it is always better to prefer unmanaged network switches over hubs. Smart switches are another excellent option available for consumers looking for greater functionality on a limited budget.