Managed vs unmanaged network switches: which is best for your business?
Network switches sit at the heart of most wired business networks, connecting everything from PCs and printers to wireless access points, phones and CCTV cameras.
Choosing the right switch is not simply a question of port count or speed. The type of switch you specify affects how much control you have over the network, how easily it can be monitored and how well it can adapt as requirements change.
Two of the main options are managed and unmanaged switches. Both have their place, but they suit very different environments.
What is a network switch?
A network switch connects devices on the same wired network and directs data to the device it needs to reach.
It has a different role from a router, which connects different networks and usually provides access to the internet. Wireless access points also serve a separate purpose, providing Wi-Fi connectivity while relying on the wider wired network behind them.
In a business environment, switches might connect desktops, servers, access points, IP phones, cameras, printers and other networked equipment.
View the range of network switches available with Sol.
What is an unmanaged network switch?
An unmanaged network switch is designed to be plug-and-play. Connect the devices, power up the switch and it begins forwarding network traffic without needing to be configured.
This makes unmanaged switches a practical and cost-effective option where requirements are straightforward. They work well for small networks, temporary installations or situations where a few additional Ethernet ports are needed.
The trade-off is limited control. An unmanaged switch does not allow an administrator to configure features such as VLANs, traffic prioritisation or port-level access controls. It also provides little or no visibility into what is happening at individual ports.
For simple networks, that may not be a problem. As the number of users, devices and applications increases, those limitations become more significant.
What is a managed network switch?
A managed network switch gives an IT team much greater control over how traffic moves around the network.
One of the most useful features is support for VLANs. These allow different types of traffic to be separated logically even when devices use the same physical switching infrastructure. Staff devices, guest Wi-Fi, phones and CCTV systems can therefore be kept on separate network segments.
Quality of Service, or QoS, can also be used to prioritise traffic that is sensitive to delays, including voice and video.
Depending on the switch, management features may also include traffic and port monitoring, SNMP, remote configuration, firmware management, port security and 802.1X authentication.
For MSPs and IT teams managing several locations, remote visibility can be particularly useful. Instead of relying solely on someone at the site to investigate an issue, administrators can check port status, traffic levels and configuration remotely.
There is also a middle ground. Smart or web-managed switches provide features such as VLANs, QoS and basic monitoring without the full complexity of an enterprise managed switch. This can make them a good fit for smaller networks that need more control than an unmanaged switch provides.
Managed vs unmanaged switches: a quick comparison
| Unmanaged switch | Managed switch | |
| Configuration | Plug-and-play | Configurable |
| VLAN support | No local VLAN configuration | Yes |
| Traffic prioritisation | Limited or unavailable | QoS support |
| Monitoring | Minimal | Port and traffic visibility |
| Security controls | Limited | VLANs, port controls and authentication options |
| Remote management | No | Typically available |
| Scalability | Best for simple networks | Better suited to growing and complex networks |
| Cost | Lower upfront cost | Higher upfront cost |
| Typical use | Small or basic deployments | Business, enterprise and multi-site networks |
It is worth noting that raw network speed is not necessarily the difference. A Gigabit unmanaged switch can forward traffic at Gigabit speeds just as a managed model can. The advantage of managed switching is the additional control over how that network is used.
When should you choose an unmanaged switch?
An unmanaged switch may be all that is required when the network is small, stable and unlikely to need much administration.
Examples include a small office with a handful of wired devices, a temporary site or adding extra ports to an existing network where the wider infrastructure is already managed.
Cost is another advantage. Where advanced monitoring, segmentation and security controls are unnecessary, there may be little reason to pay for functionality that will not be used.
When should you choose a managed switch?
Managed switching becomes more valuable as a network grows or starts carrying several different types of traffic.
Schools, healthcare organisations, retailers and larger offices may need to separate staff, guest, payment, voice, wireless or building systems. Enterprise Wi-Fi deployments also commonly use VLANs to separate different SSIDs and user groups.
[Internal link: access point content]
VoIP is another common use case. Voice traffic is sensitive to congestion and delays, so managed switches can place phones on a dedicated voice VLAN and use QoS to prioritise call traffic.
CCTV networks can benefit for similar reasons. Cameras generate continuous traffic and are often powered by the switch itself. Separating CCTV traffic from the wider business network can make the network easier to manage and secure.
For MSPs supporting customer sites remotely, managed or cloud-managed switches can also provide valuable visibility when troubleshooting.
Understanding PoE switches
Power over Ethernet, or PoE, allows a switch to provide both power and network connectivity through the same Ethernet cable.
This is widely used for devices such as wireless access points, IP phones and security cameras, particularly where installing a separate power supply would be inconvenient.
Different PoE standards support different power levels. At the switch, standard PoE can provide up to 15.4W per port, PoE+ up to 30W and newer PoE++ standards up to 60W or 90W depending on the type.
The overall PoE budget matters too. A 24-port PoE+ switch does not automatically mean every port can provide its maximum output at the same time. The total expected power draw should therefore be checked when specifying a switch.
Managed PoE switches can add another useful layer of control by showing power consumption by port and allowing individual devices to be power-cycled remotely.
[Internal link: PoE networking products]
Layer 2 vs Layer 3 switches
Most switches connecting end devices operate primarily at Layer 2, forwarding traffic within the same network or VLAN.
When devices on different VLANs need to communicate, that traffic has to be routed. In smaller networks, this is often handled by a firewall or router.
A Layer 3 switch adds routing functionality to the switch itself. This can be useful in larger networks with multiple VLANs and significant traffic moving between them.
Larger enterprise and campus networks may therefore use Layer 2 switching at the access layer alongside Layer 3 switching deeper within the network.
Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, for example, offers switching platforms designed for campus and enterprise environments where security, scalability and long-term network operation are key requirements.
[Internal link: Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise vendor page]
How to choose the right network switch
Start with the number of devices that need to be connected, then allow some spare capacity. Installing a switch with no room for expansion can mean replacing hardware earlier than necessary.
Bandwidth requirements also matter. Gigabit Ethernet remains suitable for many desktop devices, but newer wireless access points and other high-performance equipment may require multi-gigabit connectivity.
For PoE deployments, check both the requirements of each connected device and the switch’s total available power budget.
It is also worth considering how the network may change over the next few years. Additional users, Wi-Fi upgrades, cameras, phones or new locations can quickly turn a small network into something more complex.
The physical environment matters too. Factories, outdoor cabinets, transport environments and remote sites may require industrial network switches designed to handle factors such as wider temperature ranges, vibration or different mounting and power requirements.
Common mistakes when specifying network switches
One of the easiest mistakes to make is choosing purely on current requirements.
Too few ports can limit future expansion, while an inadequate PoE budget may prevent additional devices from being connected later. Equally, choosing unmanaged switching because the network is simple today can create limitations if VLANs, monitoring or remote management are needed in future.
It is also important not to overlook bandwidth. As Wi-Fi, cloud applications, CCTV and other network demands grow, uplink and port speeds need to keep pace.
A good specification should account for where the network is heading, not only what is connected to it now.
Talk to Sol about network switching
There is no single switch type that suits every network.
Unmanaged switches remain a sensible choice for straightforward connectivity, while managed switches provide the visibility, segmentation and control needed for more demanding environments.
Sol Distribution works with MSPs, VARs, resellers and integrators delivering networking projects across the UK. Its vendor portfolio includes NETGEAR and Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, with solutions spanning SMB, enterprise and specialist networking requirements.
If you are specifying a new network or upgrading existing infrastructure, the Sol team can help with product selection, port and PoE requirements, availability and the wider network design.
Frequently asked questions
What is a managed network switch?
A managed network switch allows an administrator to configure, monitor and control the switch. Features can include VLANs, QoS, remote management, traffic monitoring and additional network security controls.
What is an unmanaged network switch?
An unmanaged switch provides basic Ethernet connectivity without requiring configuration. It is designed for plug-and-play use and is generally best suited to smaller or simpler networks.
Which is better for a small business?
For a very small network with basic requirements, an unmanaged switch may be enough. If the network supports VoIP, CCTV, guest Wi-Fi or remote IT management, a managed or smart switch will usually provide more flexibility.
Do I need a managed switch for VoIP?
VoIP can operate on an unmanaged network, but managed switches provide useful features such as voice VLANs and QoS, which can help protect call quality when the network is busy.
What is a PoE switch?
A PoE switch sends power and network data over the same Ethernet cable. It is commonly used to connect and power wireless access points, IP phones and CCTV cameras.
Can a managed switch improve network security?
A managed switch can support network security by separating traffic into VLANs, controlling port access and supporting authentication features. It works alongside other security infrastructure such as firewalls rather than replacing it.
Are managed switches difficult to configure?
That depends on the model. Fully managed enterprise switches require networking knowledge, while many smart and cloud-managed products provide simpler web-based management for less complex deployments.
