Simple setup for the switch
Simple setup for the switch
Hello, sound levels are acceptable. We have approximately 20 PCs and a server along with APs inside the building.
Unless you have a large setup with several servers and computers, a managed switch isn't necessary. It's quite useful for organizing other networks. A basic switch is fine, in fact I have one at home on my local network. I'm using a 24-port switch which is more than enough since I don't require many connections. I also have an SMB share configuration, and all my devices are connected to my NAS without any issues.
I'm a networking specialist and you're right. By default, a switch behaves just like a switch—regardless of the model. For instance, a Cisco switch will assign all ports to auto settings, including speed and mode. When you power it on and connect devices, they can communicate directly without any filtering. The main distinction lies in the managed switch's STP functionality, which can introduce delays. An unmanaged switch activates immediately after connection. There are only a few exceptions: 1) Meraki and similar cloud-based switches need a license to function. Without it, they won't work. 2) Certain layer 3 switches disable interfaces by default; you'd need to enable them and possibly switch their role. I suspect the focus isn't on layer 3 devices right now.
It’s disappointing that their switches will also face issues, which is frustrating. I recall at my earlier job that the main switch for the APs failed because the license expired.