what is the difference between a managed and unmanaged switch?

[p0ntif]

well?
what is the diff between a managed and unmanaged switch?
I'd like to know!

 

[RagManX]

Most home switches are unmanaged - you plug stuff in, and it works. You can't configure anything about the ports. With a managed switch, you can log in to a console for the switch and do things like lock a switch at a certain speed, set the switch to only allow a specific MAC address on a specific port, disable and enable each port, view switch statistics, and other control features.

RagManX

 

[FFC]

Traditionally managed switches run an SNMP stack which can be used by network management software to provide statistics from the box or can be used to configure the box again with appropriate software.

 

[kylef]

And, needless to say, managed switches are usually MUCH more expensive. They're basically impractical and unnecessary for home environments, unless you just REALLY like ultimate control over EVERY facet of your network...

 

[mboy]

I am going to be upgrading my old network at work. Right now it is about 50 computers on a 10mbps unswitched network. All of our data is stored on servers on our LAN. Inetrnet is now provided by frame relay t1 and the ISP is giving us 128kbps for $750/per month. (all they do is pop our email and give us internet access, they are screwing my company, will be changing it to business DSL shortly but thats another story).
I just started there and want to upgrade the network to a 100mbps switched network. Can I get away with unmanaged 2 layer switches (figure I will need 3-24 port) and my existing cisco 1005 router or should I go for the managed switches (money is a concern).
Thanx and thanx for the question on switches, good timing

 

[spidey07]

lookinto a cisco 3548 for 48 ports of managed goodness. Lots of web based features if you don't like command line.

An unmanaged will do but for this many ports the management really comes in handy. Plus if there are any problems you can just dial in.

 

[p0ntif]

these managed switches are quite inexpensive . .

 

[FUBAR]

<< (money is a concern) >>



Go for the business DSL first or at the same time. You should save WELL over 500 a month. At that rate you can probably buy a really awesome managed switch and have the cost payed for with the savings in a few months (i would guess, care to illuminate spidy?)

 

[Kadarin]

With a "managed" switch, you can also do other fun stuff like port, protocol, and subnet-based vlans (to limit broadcast traffic). You can also do trunking (or ether-channel, for you Cisco weenies) for redundancy and extra capacity. Some will even allow you to run basic Layer 3 code and do limited routing (static routes, RIP). You can also force port speed/duplex (helps with some recalcitrant Taiwanese NICs), and, of course, do the filter or SNMP thing. Don't forget SSH support. My advice, forget the web interface (useless) and learn the CLI.

Did I mention rate-limiting?

-j

 

[FFC]

Trunking and Etherchannel are two different things in cisco parlance. What you described as a "managed" switch is a switch with lots of features. The "Managed" bit is the SNMP stack that the box carries to allow management applications to collect stats and configure the box via SNMP.

I'm not sure you need to spend the money on managed switches unless you also spend cash on network management applications. Have a think about the features you want, find products which carry those features and compare prices. Switches are pretty much commodity items now. To save money I'd buy four 24 port switches and keep one as a warm spare, that'll be cheaper than a maintenance contract and waiting 4 hours for an engineer to turn up and do the same thing.

 

[mboy]

Any recommends on a good, inexpensive 24 port switch that I should look into? Dont really have many port managing issues. Network is 40 or so computers. We have linux machines running software that manages our manufacturing machines. Right now on frame relay, but I dont think we need it as they only pop our mail and give us internet access. We use FTP to tap into our linux stuuf to grab reports and that about it.
Thanx.
Also, will I have to upgrade my Cisco 1005 router?
Thanx again.

 

[skeletal29]

unmanaged switches give you alot of options and you can edit alot of thing and customize.

 

[FFC]

The router is fine. I can't recommend a switch from experience we tend to sell big stuff only. Of the kit we sell cisco, Extreme and Riverstone all work well. I have no practical experience of the cheaper brands. As I said earlier, list your requirements, find switches which fit those, try to get a recommendation from someone and buy one too many for maintenance purposes.

For requirements think

What port speeds do you need 10/100/1000
UTP or Fibre
Do you need VLANS, if yes port based, protocol based or address based?
Do you want your switches to communicate VLAN info to each other?
Are the Stackable via a proprietary high speed interface or will 100Mb interconnects be fine?

Plus whatever you can think of.

 

[IgorTs]

check here