Unmanaged Switch vs Managed Switch | Which one to Choose?

In this post, we will talk about the trending question of how unmanaged switch vs managed switch matches. Although both have their pros and cons, this post focuses on how they are important in the current network tech. 

Switches are a huge part of every network. Whether you're setting up your home office or adding more equipment to your business, there's a good chance you'll be investing in a new switch at some point. The two most common types available today are managed and unmanaged switches. In this post, we'll look at the differences between the two so that you can make an informed purchasing decision when it comes time for you to invest in more hardware for your network.

Managed Switches:

A managed switch is a network device that is controlled by the network itself. They are more expensive than unmanaged switches because they require additional features like layer 2 management and security features such as port security and storm control (which prevents broadcast storms). These extra features make them ideal for large networks where you want more control over how traffic flows through your network infrastructure, as well as what users can access from different locations in your office building or campus environment. 

Managed switches can be configured to perform a variety of network automation tasks, including traffic prioritization and intrusion detection. Most managed switches come with built-in security features that allow you to protect your data from hackers, viruses, and other threats. We recommend checking out the RG-N18000-X Switches which have everything one needs to get max security and top-tier features.  

Unmanaged Switches:

They are perfect for small businesses and home networks. They’re easy to set up and don’t require any knowledge of network administration. However, unmanaged switches do have some limitations, such as their fixed size and configuration options. They are fixed in size and configuration. They are designed to be used by network administrators who want to get the job done but do not want or need the flexibility of a managed switch. Unmanaged switches do not have any built-in intelligence and therefore cannot be configured at all; you can only configure them at a basic level.

Unmanaged switches provide a good price point and are easy to use. You can find them in any computer store or online, and they're usually priced at about $20-$50 for one port or less. They're also very easy to set up: just plug them into power outlets, connect them via Ethernet cables with your computers and other devices (like printers), then you're good to go.

Unmanaged switches are faster than managed switches because they don't have any software installed on them which would slow down their performance. This means users can expect their data transfer speeds to be much higher than what they'd get from a managed switch--upwards of 100 Mbps per port versus 50 Mbps per port for most unmanaged models; however, it's worth noting that there are exceptions depending on how well made these products are made by individual manufacturers so it may vary depending on which brand/model type we're talking about here. We recommend using the RG-SF2920U-8GT1MS from Ruijie Networks which is a great choice at starting point. 

Unmanaged Switch vs Managed Switch

1. Unmanaged switches are switches that require no configuration. They're often less expensive than managed switches, and they're typically used in small networks. In large networks with thousands of devices that need to be configured, managed switches are more appropriate because they allow you to control all the settings from a central location. This is the biggest deal breaker point in the comparison of unmanaged switches vs managed switches.

2. Unmanaged switches are often less expensive than managed switches. They don't require any configuration, so they're easy to install and use. However, if you want to make changes to the network, such as traffic prioritization or intrusion detection, you'll need a managed switch with those features built in.

3. Managed switches are more expensive than unmanaged switches, but they can be cost-effective in the long run. Managed switches require more work to configure than unmanaged switches because you need to set up VLANs and port priorities on your network. However, once these configurations have been made, they will continue working as expected until you decide to change them again--no need for constant monitoring or maintenance by IT staff members.

Conclusion

This concludes our take on the topic "unmanaged switch vs managed switch". As you can see, there are many differences between unmanaged and managed switches. If you have a small network with few users, an unmanaged switch may be the best option for you. However, if you have more complex needs or want to save money on maintenance costs in the long term then a managed switch might be worth considering.