2022 Best Network Switches for Small Businesses
Network switches are important devices for small businesses because they help keep networks running smoothly. In this article, we'll recommend the best network switches for small businesses in 2022.
Small businesses need routers that can handle a lot of traffic and switches that can distribute that traffic to the correct machines. You don't want one switch taking all the traffic for your company's website and another switch handling all your employee's email.
A network switch is networking hardware that connects devices on a computer network by using packet switching to receive and forward data to the destination device. Physical switches provide wired and wireless network connections and manage incoming and outgoing traffic across linked devices. Some of the best network switches in 2022 are replete with advanced features that facilitate bandwidth efficiency. High-performance hardware switches like the NETGEAR Smart Managed Pro Switch and the Ubiquiti Unifi Dream Machine Pro optimise connectivity, are easy to manage and create a great overall experience for users.
If you want better control over your network resources and accommodate simultaneous connections while not affecting other devices, then it's about time to install a network switch. Not sure what switch to purchase? We have a few recommendations. Take a look at the specs of these switch models from NETGEAR and Ubiquiti, two of the best network switches available in the market this year:
NETGEAR GS510TPP ProSAFE 8-Port Gigabit PoE+ Smart Managed Switch
NETGEAR Smart Managed Pro Switches are versatile, powerful and efficient. With great Power over Ethernet (PoE) functionality and L2 and L2+/Layer 3 Lite features, this switch is built for high-performance. The Pro switch works best with converged networks, which use a single network platform for data, VoIP and video. This type of connection is common among businesses that communicate and access cloud programs using one network provider. NETGEAR switches provide holistic solutions for organisations of any size, delivering maximum network efficiency, reduced operational costs, and easy management.
One of the few switches that offer a good combination of performance, functionality, and value, the NETGEAR Smart Managed Pro brings more features to the table:
- Comprehensive PoE and PoE+ support for a wide variety of configurations
- Automatic Voice VLAN for fast and stable VoIP connections and IP-based surveillance systems
- Static routes facilitates efficient networking by routing internal traffic
- Advanced multicast filtering (multiple simultaneous transmissions of data and multimedia) via IGMP and MLD snooping
- Comprehensive IPv6 management and smooth migration to IPv6-based networks
- Solid network architecture which includes 32 static routes, 100 shared ACL entries, 256 VLANs and 512 multicast groups
- Energy Efficient Ethernet (IEEE 802.3az) conserves energy and complies with international standards
- Small-Form Factor Pluggable (SFP) ports lets you establish a connection with fibre and Ethernet cables of varying speeds, as well as provide fibre uplinks
- Advanced QoS with IPv4/IPv6 ingress traffic filtering and prioritisation makes complex bandwidth configurations easier to troubleshoot for administrators
- Dynamic VLAN assignment that verifies users and regulates network access
- Windows-based Smart Control Centre (SCC) allows users to perform various tasks including managing firmware upgrades, discovering smart switches, assigning IP addresses or mass configurations
- Automatic voice virtual LAN
- Automatic video for IP camera surveillance
Other Features
You can manage this Netgear switch online through a web-based SCC, allowing you to deploy multiple switches. It has a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi frequency band, a built-in fan and 8 PoE ports. The total PoE power budget is 190 watts with a maximum consumption of 225 watts. Acoustic noise level does not exceed 32 dB, which means it's a fairly quiet switch.
Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro
Designed for small-medium business, the Ubiquiti Dream Machine Pro is an enterprise-grade switch that offers comprehensive home and office network solutions. Scale up your connections with this device and enjoy using multiple applications simultaneously. This Ubiquiti switch is also replete with several features that enhance your network experience.
Important specs to take note of:
- Dual WAN Ports: an 10G SFP+ and a Gigabit RJ45
- Advanced built-in security gateway
- LAN port
- UniFi Network Embedded Enterprise Software
- 8 PoE ports
- Powerful, high-speed 1.7 GHz quad-core processor
- Protect-ready network video recorder
- 3.5 inch HDD Bay network video storage
- Creates an uninterruptible network when connected to a SmartPower Redundant Power System
- Easy deployment scaling when multiple UniFi devices are connected
- Wi-Fi with AI functionality
- Enterprise-class online threat management
- Deep packet inspection (DPI) that examines and manages network traffic
- Rack-mountable console approximately 1.75 inches in size
- Compatible with almost every UniFi OS application and pre-installed UniFi Network
- Excellent security surveillance system
- Supported voltage range: 100 to 240 VAC
- 1 year warranty
Where to Buy the Best Network Switches this 2022
Are you starting a business anytime soon? Thinking of setting up a solid network infrastructure at home or in the office? There's no better time to purchase a switch. At Wireless 1's website and online tech store, you can find some of the best network switches currently available in the market. We also offer related products like high-performance routers, wireless access points and good quality Ethernet cables.
Get in touch with our dedicated staff for further assistance. You can also email us at [email protected] for general enquiries. We offer regular discounts, free shipping and other perks or freebies.
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