Managed IT Services: Managed vs Unmanaged Network Switch

2022-11-08 18:29:02

Did you know that there are nearly 500,000 new businesses across South Africa and that many of these companies fail within the first few years? One of the most important steps you can take to ensure the longevity of your business is leveraging a managed IT service.

However, not everybody understands the difference between a managed and unmanaged network switch. We've put together a quick guide that details everything you need to know about how managed IT services can help improve your business performance. Let's take a look.

What Is a Managed Network Switch?

A managed network switch is an Ethernet switch that allows you to control, monitor, and configure your network.

This ability allows you to optimise your network performance and ensure that it meets your business needs. Managed switches also have built-in security features that help protect your data from malware and hackers.

What Benefits Does It Provide?

Perhaps the most important is that it gives you complete control over your network, allowing you to easily add or remove devices, change configurations, and monitor traffic. Additionally, managed switches typically include advanced features such as Quality of Service (QoS) and virtual LANs (VLANs), which can further improve your network's performance.

 

Another key benefit of using a managed switch is that diagnosing and resolving network issues becomes much more straightforward because you can seamlessly monitor your network traffic and identify where the problems originate.

With an unmanaged switch, you would have to manually check each device on your network to identify the source of the issue, which can be time-consuming and frustrating.

Are There Any Drawbacks?

One of the main drawbacks of using a managed switch is that it can be more expensive than an unmanaged switch. Additionally, it requires a higher level of technical knowledge to set up and configure, which may not be ideal for everyone.

Be sure that you consider this before moving forward. For example, small businesses often do not have large budgets with which to work, so they could spend more money than expected if they are unaware of the extra costs.

What Is an Unmanaged Network Switch?

In contrast, an unmanaged network switch is an Ethernet switch that does not allow you to control, monitor, or configure your network. This absence of control means that you will be unable to optimise your network performance or ensure that it meets your specific business needs. Unmanaged switches also lack built-in security features, leaving your data vulnerable to malware and hackers.

What Are the Benefits?

The main benefit of using an unmanaged switch is that it is much cheaper than a managed switch. Additionally, it is much easier to set up and configure, which may be ideal for those who do not have a lot of technical knowledge.

This option goes a long way when you need to start as soon as possible.

What Are the Drawbacks?

One of the critical drawbacks of using an unmanaged switch is that you have no control over your network and cannot add or remove devices, change configurations, or monitor traffic on your own.

 

Additionally, unmanaged switches typically lack the advanced features of managed switches, which can further impact your network performance. Another drawback is that diagnosing and resolving network issues can be more difficult because you cannot quickly determine the origin of the problems.

With a managed switch, however, you could quickly check the switch's interface to discover where the issue originated.

So, What's the Best Option for You?

The answer to this question depends on your specific business needs.

If you require complete control over your network and want to be able to monitor and configure it, then a managed switch would be the best option. However, if you do not need these features and are looking for a cheaper and easier option, then an unmanaged switch would be better.

What Should I Look for in a Provider?

When choosing a provider for your managed IT services, looking for one that offers a high level of customer service and support is essential. Additionally, you'll want to ensure that the provider has experience in managing and configuring your network type.

 

As you might guess, choosing a provider with a competitive price and an excellent past reputation is also crucial.

Be sure to reference legitimate reviews to get the best results possible.

Finally, choose a provider who has worked with businesses like yours and has varied experience in this field.

Finally, you should feel comfortable communicating with your provider of choice, and they should provide you with ample information and support when you need it.

Choosing the Correct Managed IT Services Is Crucial

As long as you keep the above information in mind, you'll be able to ensure that you choose the correct managed IT services and provider. From here, you can significantly boost your efficiency and reach target metrics like never before.

Want to learn more about what we can do? Be sure to reach out to us today and see how we can help you.