10 quick questions about switches
10 quick questions about switches
I’m improving my home network and plan to upgrade to 10G speeds. I already have PCI adapters with SPF ports, so I’m looking for a switch. I’m unsure whether managed or unmanaged switches are different. Can a managed switch work without one? I’ve noticed some models with two power plugs on the back—do they really require more power, or is that just extra for old server parts? Right now I have an 8-port switch for about $15 that works fine. I’m assuming it’s unmanaged. Since it only supports 1Gbps, I’ll probably upgrade to a better option. I’m considering buying one from eBay or Reddit because new switches cost a lot and I’m only willing to spend around $200. I’ve seen many options but don’t know what to choose between brands. I need roughly 12 ports total, but only about four should be 10Gbps; the rest are for ASICs used in mining, which don’t need high speeds. If I find a good switch with 50 ports at a low price, I’ll go for that. I’m not worried about space, just trying to figure out what works best for a gaming PC and a few NAS devices.
You can adjust configurations using a web interface or console. Most devices operate in an unmanaged state (all traffic on one VLAN) by default or with a specific setup. Likely I'll use the MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN and then switch to a gig switch for the rest.