Managed & Unmanaged Switches & Spec Me A Suitable Switch

Abz Hussain · 6 Jul 2011 at 15:33

Whats the difference?

Which one is recommended for my home network? (Mostly used for media streaming and normal web browsing/email).

Please spec me a suitable switch.

Thank you

Biffa · 6 Jul 2011 at 15:40

You only really need a managed switch if you are going to do advanced stuff like VLAN's

How many computers do you have, for a home network I would think the TP-Link 5 port gigabit would be ok, or any Netgear gigabit 5 or 8 port switch

Skidilliplop · 6 Jul 2011 at 15:44

It depends on budget.
Unmanaged switches are dumb and don't really do anything to improve performance beyond the base technology, E.G gigabit ethernet.
Manage switches support VLANs, QoS, monitoring, port security, even traffic shaping and IP routing at the high end.

I usually would spec a smart switch for avid media streamers (this is from LAN to LAN not iPlayer etc from the internet) because QoS is nice to have to guarantee priority to the stream for silky smooth playback. Smart switches are half way between un managed and full managed, usually configured by a simple web GUI.
But most other stuff isn't sensitive to latency or minor packet loss so would be fine with unmanaged switches.
The biggest difference for use in the home is smart switches will cost about 4 times more than unmanaged. So 8port gigabit unmanaged = 20-30quid, a comparable smart switch more like 100-120.
A full managed switch 8 port you'd be looking at 250-300.

Abz Hussain · 6 Jul 2011 at 15:46

Biffa said:
You only really need a managed switch if you are going to do advanced stuff like VLAN's

How many computers do you have, for a home network I would think the TP-Link 5 port gigabit would be ok, or any Netgear gigabit 5 or 8 port switch

I wont be doing anything like VLANs. Just trying to get all my 2 computers, ps3, TV & Apple tv 2 on wired gigabit.
I will take a look at your two recommendations - thank you for that

Abz Hussain · 6 Jul 2011 at 15:49

Skidilliplop said:
It depends on budget.
Unmanaged switches are dumb and don't really do anything to improve performance beyond the base technology, E.G gigabit ethernet.
Manage switches support VLANs, QoS, monitoring, port security, even traffic shaping and IP routing at the high end.

I usually would spec a smart switch for avid media streamers (this is from LAN to LAN not iPlayer etc from the internet) because QoS is nice to have to guarantee priority to the stream for silky smooth playback. Smart switches are half way between un managed and full managed, usually configured by a simple web GUI.
But most other stuff isn't sensitive to latency or minor packet loss so would be fine with unmanaged switches.
The biggest difference for use in the home is smart switches will cost about 4 times more than unmanaged. So 8port gigabit unmanaged = 20-30quid, a comparable smart switch more like 100-120.
A full managed switch 8 port you'd be looking at 250-300.

Wow, thats some difference in the prices there. I only will be using a simple home network like i say for streaming media from a NAS to a TV & then just general home usage. so any recommendations on those lines will be warmly appreciated.

Skidilliplop · 6 Jul 2011 at 15:52

A lot of people on here recommend the TP-Link 8port un-managed switch available here on OcUK. - Which would probably do fine.
Or if you want a smart switch, have a look on ebay. I managed to pick up an 8 port netgear with a very tidy feature set for ~£50 new and boxed. Never overlook the power of a bargain

Abz Hussain · 6 Jul 2011 at 16:00

Skidilliplop said:
A lot of people on here recommend the TP-Link 8port un-managed switch available here on OcUK. - Which would probably do fine.
Or if you want a smart switch, have a look on ebay. I managed to pick up an 8 port netgear with a very tidy feature set for ~£50 new and boxed. Never overlook the power of a bargain

So, if i buy a smart switch, what will i need to manage for the purposes of my network usage?
I have already been on ebay but to be honest i was not sure if i needed managed v unmanaged?

Skidilliplop · 6 Jul 2011 at 16:07

If you got a smart switch you'd want to turn on QoS examination and jumbo frames. Which would give you traffic prioritization and a boost in transfer rates.

But unless you can get a cheap one it's probably not for you. Either would suit you fine.

Abz Hussain · 6 Jul 2011 at 16:10

Skidilliplop said:
If you got a smart switch you'd want to turn on QoS examination and jumbo frames. Which would give you traffic prioritization and a boost in transfer rates.

But unless you can get a cheap one it's probably not for you. Either would suit you fine.

Thank you, i will see if there is a smart one available for a few £ more than a not so smart one and see what i can come up with. Appreciate your help

Abz Hussain · 6 Jul 2011 at 18:57

Biffa said:
You only really need a managed switch if you are going to do advanced stuff like VLAN's

How many computers do you have, for a home network I would think the TP-Link 5 port gigabit would be ok, or any Netgear gigabit 5 or 8 port switch

Just been looking at the above mentioned TP-Link switch and have one question. Please let me know if i have this right -It has five ports, three i will use for connecting my devices, one will be spare, and the remaining port will be used to plug in the cable from my router/switch

[ TV] [PS3 ] [APPLE TV] [UNUSED PORT] [CABLE from ROUTER/SWITCH] < uplink?

Skidilliplop · 6 Jul 2011 at 23:03

yes, one port will be used to uplink to your router the other ports are for devices. These days withs o much stuff being networkable I'd plump for an 8port rather than 5.

Abz Hussain · 6 Jul 2011 at 23:20

Skidilliplop said:
yes, one port will be used to uplink to your router the other ports are for devices. These days withs o much stuff being networkable I'd plump for an 8port rather than 5.

Yes I agree, more and more devices becoming 'connectable' so having the extra ports is good.

My current set up is as follows: Upstairs: I have my modem connected to my router. i have a nas connected to the router and my laptop.

Downstairs: All wireless at the moment i have - TV, Apple TV, PS3 & Laptop.

My router only has 4 ports, 2 of which are occupied plus one for the WAN. The remaining free port on the router will be used to run a cable downstairs to which i will attach a switch and then from that switch i will connect up the downstairs devices.

Will it matter that upstairs, my laptop and nas will NOT be connected to the switch but to the router only?

hellarda · 6 Jul 2011 at 23:59

Abz Hussain said:
Will it matter that upstairs, my laptop and nas will NOT be connected to the switch but to the router only?

nope thatll be fine

Danny091 · 7 Jul 2011 at 00:07

The only problem i can see is if the upstairs router ports run at 100mb and the downstairs switch at 1gb. It means that the connection to your server would only be 100mb even from downstairs as it still has to go through the 100mb router if that makes sence. But if they are both 1gb switches then you will have no problem.

To bypass a problem like that would be.. Modem>Router>gigabit switch>all devices This means trafic would only go through the routers slower network speed to get to the internet and wouldnt slow down filesharing on your network.

(I hope i made sence).

Abz Hussain · 7 Jul 2011 at 00:56

hellarda said:
nope thatll be fine

Danny091 said:
The only problem i can see is if the upstairs router ports run at 100mb and the downstairs switch at 1gb. It means that the connection to your server would only be 100mb even from downstairs as it still has to go through the 100mb router if that makes sence. But if they are both 1gb switches then you will have no problem.

To bypass a problem like that would be.. Modem>Router>gigabit switch>all devices This means trafic would only go through the routers slower network speed to get to the internet and wouldnt slow down filesharing on your network.

(I hope i made sence).

The Upstairs router is a Gigabit router so once connected up i should have a gigabit network.
I would do it as you have stated above *Modem>Router>gigabit switch>all devices* but the problem i have is running the cabling to and from the router/switch. To do this i would have to run three cables from upstairs switch to downstairs devices.
Not that its a problem doing that but i just cant find a nice clean route to run the cables without it looking messy and the other half is not keen on having cables ruining the look.

Danny091 · 7 Jul 2011 at 01:04

If they are both gigabit switches i wouldnt worry about it.

Abz Hussain · 7 Jul 2011 at 01:16

Danny091 said:
If they are both gigabit switches i wouldnt worry about it.

Yeh the upstairs router is an apple airport extreme, currently providing wireless G & N to the devices downstairs, but it has 3 gigabit ports. So i should be ok just buying another 5 or 8 port gigabit switch and bob should be my uncle