Switches
When looking for or buying switches, first consider the number of users, (computers, printers and access ports needed). The number of ports is one of the biggest factors in the cost of a switch.
Next, you should think about your basic network infrastructure. Switches can support from 8, 12, and 24 ports all the way up to 48 ports, on one single switch or switch blade for a chassis.
The next area is speed. Do your users need a fast network with low lateral, or is speed to transfer large data files required within the network? Or is the purpose to access the internet and network resources.
If you are planning on building a large network, you may have switches that support different roles like a core, access, compact, or data center or server switch.
There are many factors that you may want or need on some or all your switches which needs to be factored in, such as managed or unmanaged, does it support layer 2, 3, or 4 and configuration access.
The condensed steps are below:
- Think about the number of users and/or connections.
- Consider your network infrastructure.
- Determine the network needs of the users.
- What is the role of each switch in each of the networks?
- What are the desired features needed on each switch?
- Pick a vendor and a company to buy from.
- Think about a price range.
- Are new or used switches an option?
HPE Switches
Aruba’s next-gen CX switching portfolio is purpose-built for today’s digital world, satisfying the most demanding use cases, from the access layer to the core and to the data center. Built on cloud-native principles, our portfolio gives IT the flexibility to deploy a single platform from edge access to the data center that includes intuitive management tools and distributed analytics that transform the IT network operator experience.
Cisco Switches
The Cisco® Catalyst® 3750-X and 3560-X Series Switches are an enterprise-class line of stackable and standalone switches, respectively. These switches provide high availability, scalability, security, energy efficiency, and ease of operation with innovative features such as Cisco StackPower (available only on the Catalyst 3750‑X), IEEE 802.3at Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) configurations, optional network modules, redundant power supplies, and Media Access Control Security (MACsec) features. The Cisco Catalyst 3750-X Series with StackWise® Plus technology provides scalability, ease of management, and investment protection for the evolving business needs. The Cisco Catalyst 3750-X and 3560-X enhance productivity by enabling applications such as IP telephony, wireless, and video for borderless network experience.
Juniper Switches
EX3400 Ethernet Switches are a cost-effective solution for today’s most demanding converged data, voice, and video enterprise access networks. The compact, fixed configuration 1U devices offer levels of performance and management previously available only with a high-end access switch.
The EX3400 is cloud-ready and ZTP-enabled, so you can onboard, configure, and manage it with Juniper Mist™ Wired Assurance for improved connected-device experiences. In addition, the Juniper Mist Cloud streamlines deploying and managing your campus fabric, while Mist AI simplifies operations and improves visibility into the performance of connected devices. EX3400 switches support Juniper’s Virtual Chassis technology for interconnecting up to 10 switches that can be managed as a single logical device.