A network switch is a piece of network hardware that allows computers to talk to each other
. There are several different types of switches available. The main types of switches are unmanaged, managed, and smart. You can also find switches within these categories that have additional features built in.
Switches are faster than hubs. Several years ago hubs used to be the norm because they were cheaper than switches. Another reason hubs were used was because files sent over the networks weren't as big or demanding.
Hubs work similar to radio repeaters. A hub will receive a signal and then project it to everyone on the network. Switches on the other hand will receive the signal and then route it only to the computer that it is intended to reach. This cuts down drastically on network usage, especially for large networks.
The most common type of switches are unmanaged switches. These are also known as plug 'n play switches because you do not need to configure them to use them in a network. They are the least costly and are most popular in households and small businesses.
A managed switch is more complicated than an unmanaged switch. Its ability to be modified allows it to have many functions. These include setting the port speeds, creating virtual LANs (VLAN's), and a host of other options. A web browser or a command line interface such as telnet or Secure Shell can access the switch commands.
A smart managed switch is a mix between an unmanaged switch and a managed switch. You do not have as many features as a managed switch but you can control some elements such as port speeds and VLANs.
Two of the more popular features of switches are Jumbo Frames and Quality of Service. With Jumbo Frames a packet of data is allowed to be larger than the standard size. To use this feature both the switch and the Ethernet adapter need to support Jumbo Frames. The Quality of Service (QoS) feature prioritizes network traffic to allow data to be categorized so that the most important data is given priority.
For larger networks you can purchase rack mount switches, which make it easier to organize equipment. You can further add stackable switches if you need to increase the number of users on your network. Setting up a small home network with a switch is much simpler and can cost as little as $10.