Introduction
The development in technology is making the types of components essential. They are so for progressive networking is also changing day by day. One such component that is subject to completing any network run evenly is the network switch. It has two types – a regular network switch and a Power over Ethernet (PoE) switch.
Based on their various characteristics, both of the switches are different. To make a better choice concerning the demands of your device, you need to be aware of the features of both switches.
Regular Network Switch
A regular network switch also referred to as a switching hub, is known to be networking hardware that works as a bridge between devices and networks. It collects and passes on data to the target device with the help of packet switching.
A regular network switch takes notice of the identity of each connected device. Then it makes sure to pass on data to the port attached to the device that it is directed to.
Power over Ethernet (PoE) Switch
Generally, for connecting a device to a network, a power cord and a network cable are the two necessary inputs needed. PoE provides an Ethernet cable with the ability to convey electrical power. The power-acquiring equipment can give strength and impart data to network devices in a PoE network. All of this, however, is done by a single PoE cable.
In addition to this, you can convert a regular network switch into a PoE switch. It is done by connecting an injector or splitter to a standard switch as an additional device.
How to Choose a Better PoE Switch?
There are a few particular different types of PoE switches. Hence, there are certain things that you need to consider when choosing your PoE switch since different kinds of PoE switches have other characteristics and limited efficiencies.
Some of the things that you should take under consideration while choosing your PoE switch are listed below:
- The number of ports you need in the switch.
- The type of redundancy you will need for your network.
- You will need the level of technical support if and when your PoE switch faces damage and requires troubleshooting.
- The amount of speed your chosen PoE switch will provide.
How much speed will your PoE switch provide?
Different purposes require different levels of speed in the devices. If you use a PoE switch for a device that you need for surfing the internet or sending and receiving simple data only, a switch with less speed range would be enough. But if you use it to do more streaming, use an IP camera connected with many other devices, large displays, remote terminal computers, door access systems, and other such devices, then a switch with a higher speed range would be required.
For instance, in the case of IP cameras (Internet Protocol cameras) that support PoE switches, for them, the speed range of 10/100Mbps interface is sufficient. The 10/100Mbps switches are known to manage a maximum data conveyance speed of 100Mbps.
But in case the band to be managed surpasses 100Mbps, then you must have to use the switches with a 10/100/1000Mbps speed range. These 10/100/1000Mbps switches are known as the Gigabit switches also. Like, you must use a Gigabit switch to link other switches, each of them to a certain number of cameras.
Some specific switches have 10/100Mbps ports for the cameras and 10/100/1000Mbps uplink ports to interface quicker with upstream devices.
Hence, the speed that your PoE switch provides depends on the kind of work you are doing. Because you need to have access to the type of switch that you are sure will suffice with the job you want to get done by your device.
Nowadays, almost all network devices and computers are forged with Gigabit interfaces. Therefore, it is no surprise turning into a standard. The reason for that is because companies are growing day by day, and so are the networks. All networks, therefore, require faster links. A Gigabit interface helps optimize the work of the network in all devices that require faster speed due to the number of tasks in a limited time.
As far as a speed based on types of PoE switches is considered, the ranges are different. Specifically, if you use a managed PoE switch, you will get higher speed optimization than with other types of PoE switches.
Conclusion:
Conclusively, although a fast Ethernet switch has a 10/100Mbps interface that can work at 100 megabits per second, even then, a gigabit interface PoE switch provides you with the amount of speed that assists you to carry on multiple tasks without allowing the device or any streaming session to slow down. It supplies you with speed to handle faster connections among devices on the networks.
