When I compared local area network (LAN) switching tools and solutions, I found Cisco Catalyst Switches and Netgear Ethernet Switches to be the most effective ones currently available on the market.
One of the things that I initially noticed about Cisco Catalyst Switches was how it gave me the ability to perform a number of different functions with a single switch. The solution allows administrators to accomplish CRM tasks, such as constructing marketing campaigns, while also keeping systems safe from external threats. The switches employ Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), which allow me to easily create programmable pipelines that facilitate the performance of critical business functions. At the same time, Cisco Catalyst Switches use powerful security features to combat all manner of threats. One such feature is their Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA) capability. This feature places powerful machine learning into the hands of system administrators. The machine learning software gives users the ability to filter their system traffic to identify and then move to resolve anomalies and other issues. Administrators can filter their data traffic in a uniform and consistent way. A single switch allows us to complete various vital activities at the same time.
A major advantage that Cisco Catalyst Switches offer us is their ability to run various protocols consistently across the entirety of our network. Cisco Catalyst Switches make it possible for users to roll out things like updates in a consistent way across their networks. This is possible because they employ a Precision Time Protocol (PTP), which synchronizes systems with sub-microsecond accuracy, meaning that users can set an update to happen and the whole system will employ it at virtually the same time. Vast networks can be kept uniform when it comes to the implementation of important policies and protocols. This enables us to maximize our levels of security as well as productivity.
Two aspects of Netgear Ethernet Switches that I really appreciate are its powerful security features and the way that it lets us centralize both our network management and our tracking capabilities. Netgear Ethernet Switches use powerful security features to combat all manner of threats. One such feature is their Access Control Lists (ACLs) protocol. This protocol creates a list that acts as a gatekeeper. It only allows users whose credentials match the credentials that are on the list to access the network. The ACLs prevent unauthorized users from penetrating our network and harming us. Netgear Ethernet Switches also employ filters that monitor the traffic that pass through our network. When they detect threats, they either block the threats or, if they cannot, they notify us so that we can address the issue. All of the built-in features enable us to maximize our network’s protection while also minimizing our resource expenditure.
Netgear Ethernet Switches enable us to control and track our network from a “single pane of glass” dashboard. We can track all of our network data in real time. From a single location, we can take control of every aspect of our network. The solution gives us the ability to scale our network in a way that allows us to control the entire network from a single switch. It virtually stacks IP addresses and aggregates them. This prevents our ability to perform network management from becoming unnecessarily complex when we scale the network up.
Ultimately, either of these two solutions will empower you to take complete control of your network’s creation, management, and security.
As always... depends. Most important, focus on one brand. Interoperability is easier.
Find out what you NEED, and what you WANT. Sometimes Cisco gives you more configuration options than HP/Aruba (Procurve), BUT, do you need these extra options? Maybe.
I'm personally still very fond of HP Procurve (now one of the HP/Aruba lines of switches. I hardly ever missed a feature, and my environments were never that big, that I needed centralized management. This is possible, but never had the time to investigate.
Partner / Owner at Bimel Elektronik Mamuller Paz. Ltd.
Real User
May 16, 2022
All brands claim that their switches are;
a) Wirespeed
b) Non-blocking
Therefore, I don't anticipate any performance difference between brands.
If you are only concerned about performance, you can buy just any brand/model.
If you are "really" concerned about performance, you should think about purchasing switches with 10 Gbps or 25 Gbps or 40 Gbps or 100 Gbps Ethernet interfaces (then your PCs should also support such rates, and your cabling should be able to handle such rates).
In short, you should be more concerned about the following things:
a) Price.
b) Delivery time (because of chip shortage).
c) Failure rates.
d) Service and support.
e) Extra features (if you need them).
Your need for extra features (including Layer-3 capabilities, QoS capabilities and security capabilities) will mainly depend on the size of your network and your specific work requirements.
Senior Director Information Technology at a hospitality company with 201-500 employees
User
May 18, 2022
You need to provide more information about your operation, size, single building multiple building, campus, etc.
Just asking what LAN solution you recommend will not provide you with the right type of solution for your requirements, as you have not provided enough information.
Is it for home, is it for work, small business, medium business, large business, are you a public company, etc?
If you have diverse network products to connect to this switch (Huawei, Ubiquiti, Citrix media), discard Ruckus/Brocade (many incompatibilities with not common products).
LAN Switching enhances network performance by segmenting traffic and reducing congestion. It utilizes switches to create multiple collision domains, improving bandwidth availability. This technology is crucial for efficient data handling in enterprise environments.LAN Switching is essential for optimizing network efficiency, providing intelligent forwarding decisions to ensure that data packets are sent to the correct location without flooding unnecessary parts of the network. This capability...
When I compared local area network (LAN) switching tools and solutions, I found Cisco Catalyst Switches and Netgear Ethernet Switches to be the most effective ones currently available on the market.
One of the things that I initially noticed about Cisco Catalyst Switches was how it gave me the ability to perform a number of different functions with a single switch. The solution allows administrators to accomplish CRM tasks, such as constructing marketing campaigns, while also keeping systems safe from external threats. The switches employ Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), which allow me to easily create programmable pipelines that facilitate the performance of critical business functions. At the same time, Cisco Catalyst Switches use powerful security features to combat all manner of threats. One such feature is their Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA) capability. This feature places powerful machine learning into the hands of system administrators. The machine learning software gives users the ability to filter their system traffic to identify and then move to resolve anomalies and other issues. Administrators can filter their data traffic in a uniform and consistent way. A single switch allows us to complete various vital activities at the same time.
A major advantage that Cisco Catalyst Switches offer us is their ability to run various protocols consistently across the entirety of our network. Cisco Catalyst Switches make it possible for users to roll out things like updates in a consistent way across their networks. This is possible because they employ a Precision Time Protocol (PTP), which synchronizes systems with sub-microsecond accuracy, meaning that users can set an update to happen and the whole system will employ it at virtually the same time. Vast networks can be kept uniform when it comes to the implementation of important policies and protocols. This enables us to maximize our levels of security as well as productivity.
Two aspects of Netgear Ethernet Switches that I really appreciate are its powerful security features and the way that it lets us centralize both our network management and our tracking capabilities. Netgear Ethernet Switches use powerful security features to combat all manner of threats. One such feature is their Access Control Lists (ACLs) protocol. This protocol creates a list that acts as a gatekeeper. It only allows users whose credentials match the credentials that are on the list to access the network. The ACLs prevent unauthorized users from penetrating our network and harming us. Netgear Ethernet Switches also employ filters that monitor the traffic that pass through our network. When they detect threats, they either block the threats or, if they cannot, they notify us so that we can address the issue. All of the built-in features enable us to maximize our network’s protection while also minimizing our resource expenditure.
Netgear Ethernet Switches enable us to control and track our network from a “single pane of glass” dashboard. We can track all of our network data in real time. From a single location, we can take control of every aspect of our network. The solution gives us the ability to scale our network in a way that allows us to control the entire network from a single switch. It virtually stacks IP addresses and aggregates them. This prevents our ability to perform network management from becoming unnecessarily complex when we scale the network up.
Ultimately, either of these two solutions will empower you to take complete control of your network’s creation, management, and security.
As always... depends. Most important, focus on one brand. Interoperability is easier.
Find out what you NEED, and what you WANT. Sometimes Cisco gives you more configuration options than HP/Aruba (Procurve), BUT, do you need these extra options? Maybe.
I'm personally still very fond of HP Procurve (now one of the HP/Aruba lines of switches. I hardly ever missed a feature, and my environments were never that big, that I needed centralized management. This is possible, but never had the time to investigate.
All brands claim that their switches are;
a) Wirespeed
b) Non-blocking
Therefore, I don't anticipate any performance difference between brands.
If you are only concerned about performance, you can buy just any brand/model.
If you are "really" concerned about performance, you should think about purchasing switches with 10 Gbps or 25 Gbps or 40 Gbps or 100 Gbps Ethernet interfaces (then your PCs should also support such rates, and your cabling should be able to handle such rates).
In short, you should be more concerned about the following things:
a) Price.
b) Delivery time (because of chip shortage).
c) Failure rates.
d) Service and support.
e) Extra features (if you need them).
Your need for extra features (including Layer-3 capabilities, QoS capabilities and security capabilities) will mainly depend on the size of your network and your specific work requirements.
You need to provide more information about your operation, size, single building multiple building, campus, etc.
Just asking what LAN solution you recommend will not provide you with the right type of solution for your requirements, as you have not provided enough information.
Is it for home, is it for work, small business, medium business, large business, are you a public company, etc?
Depends on the size of your network, redundancy requirement, etc.
I would steer away from legacy networks where things like spanning tree is always a nightmare.
Look at Extreme Networks Campus Fabric solution, no spanning-tree enabled on any uplinks and all uplinks are active.
If you have diverse network products to connect to this switch (Huawei, Ubiquiti, Citrix media), discard Ruckus/Brocade (many incompatibilities with not common products).