Network Switches

Network switches are essential building blocks for any network – whether at home or at work. 

They ensure that your network is connected properly, and that information can be shared easily among your family or team. 

But not every networking switch is created equal. Poor-quality network switches can bottleneck your network, making connections unreliable or outright breaking them. So, when you’re creating a network for computer sharing, you need high-quality hardware to support it. 

That’s where network switches come in. Even simple desktop switches can help maintain connectivity across a much broader range of devices, as well as enabling larger networks. They’ll also connect to a router, giving the network as a whole wider internet access. 

Tools like the Omada SDN can also enableModern home and office computing needs are often pretty complex. There are a huge variety of devices involved – not to mention all the monitors, keyboards, USB peripherals and other accoutrements!  

In the old days, network hubs were the solution. Throw together a few ethernet ports and some fibre optic cables and you’re good to go, right? 

Well, not so much. Network hubs have limits on how big those networks can get before the whole thing starts to lag. Great for a game of Quake in the 90s – not ideal for the modern computing environment. 

Here at 4Cabling, we stock a huge range of network switches to suit all different types of networks. 

Whether you need an ethernet switch, a gigabit desktop switch, a fibre switch, a PoE switch, a KVM switch, a TP-Link Ethernet switch – or something else entirely – you’ll be able to find it right here on our site. 

Our range includes a huge selection of network and ethernet switches, from leading manufacturers like TP-Link and Ubiquiti. We also stock 4Cabling branded products, all of which are produced to the highest industry standards. 

Additionally, we stock a huge range of other network hardware, including fibre media converters, ethernet cables, USB hubs and other essential connectivity tools. 

To find out more or if you have any questions, make sure you get in touch with us today. We’re here to help with all of your networking questions.

A network switch is essentially designed to connect a group of devices and computers together and provide them with easy access to data transfer across an internal network. It will also usually connect to a router and provide them with external internet access too. 

However, not all switches are the same. For example, a fibre switch is compatible with fibre optic cables, which means that data transfer can occur significantly faster than via an ethernet switch. 

If you’re unsure which type of switch is best for your needs, make sure you speak to the team here at 4Cabling. 

There are five main types of network switches.

• KVM switches – A KVM switch allows you to hook up a single keyboard, monitor and mouse to multiple computers, allowing for easy remote access. Popular with IT professionals and great at eliminating excess cable mess.
• Unmanaged switches – A straightforward, plug-and-play network switch solution. Hook them up to an ethernet cable and you’re good to go. They’re easy to set up but you tend to have less control over their functionality. Can be a simple solution for home networks.
• Managed switches – These require more setup and monitoring than unmanaged switches, but they can also be tweaked in a more granular fashion. You can have more control over data transfer speed, network security and other features.
• Smart switches – Striking a middle ground between their unmanaged and managed counterparts, a smart switch allows you to customise specific elements of your network without requiring the technical know-how of a managed switch.
• PoE switches – AKA “Power over Ethernet”, a PoE switch can distribute power across the network to appropriately-equipped devices, while also functioning as a “regular” switch too. 

KVM is short for “Keyboard, Video and Mouse” – so essentially, a KVM switch allows you to hook up a keyboard, monitor and mouse to work across multiple computers. 

A KVM USB switch is a handy tool for just about anyone who oversees networks – particularly if they work remotely – and at a practical level it cuts down on the amount of cabling you need to have around the office. 

A PoE switch functions in the same way as a normal switch i.e., networking computers and devices together. However, it can also provide power to compatible devices too, which can allow you to cut down on cabling and run a more energy-efficient networking space. 

An ethernet switch is able to offer more connections than a splitter, while also being able to send data more efficiently – which in turn, reduces the workload on the individual devices involved. They also offer more network security.