Offering faster and more reliable wired connections compared to Wi-Fi, the best network switches can significantly improve network functionality. This goes for printers, computers, and the many other essential devices layered throughout the corporate world.
With a compact design, you get the benefit of numerous ethernet ports, allowing multi-device connectivity to the router and office devices. If you’re looking to improve network reliability and minimize the risk of downtime, this is a great way to go.
As you might expect, there are quite a few network switches on the market. This includes varying features, capabilities, and price points tailored to businesses of all sizes. In this article, you’ll get a look at a handful of recommended network switches that won’t disappoint.
Best Network Switches for the Office
It’s no secret that wired networking is much faster and more consistent than the likes of Wi-Fi. This helps businesses eliminate potential issues with signal degradation and interference. You also have varying options when it comes to port availability. On the other hand, freeing up the router like this can lead to a better overall wireless connection as well.
When looking for the best ethernet switch, it’s important to consider more than just features like port availability. Other notable aspects of network switches include power over ethernet (PoE) and different network speeds.
They’re also great for those who need a scalable solution where they can add or take away connections at will. Overall, your search for the best network switch should start with well-known manufacturers.
1. SonicWall
With a surprising variety available, SonicWall’s switches cover more than just the basics. Feature-rich to say the least, the brand offers non-PoE, PoE, and Full PoE solutions. Management of their best network switches is pretty easy, considering any adjustments can be made in a single glass pane interface.
Other aspects of SonicWall switches that are important to note include:
- Granular control over users, traffic, and segments
- PCI and HIPAA-compliant
- Support for features such as QoS, VLANs, and Layer 2 switching
- Easily integrates with other switches for cohesive connections and added range
Of course, price points are bound to vary and tend to increase with the number of ports you choose. Nevertheless, the long-term reliability outlasts the upfront costs by far.
2. Sophos
Part of what makes Sophos stand out is their stance on cloud-managed network switches. They offer just as many port options, spanning from 8 to 48. As one would hope, they’re more than efficient with LAN edge connectivity and VLAN segmentation.
You won’t have to worry about port security, and everything can be managed through several portals. Whether you use Sophos Central, a web interface, or CLI, you can be flexible in how you manage network control.
Here are a few other key details you should know about:
- Primarily designed for small to medium-sized businesses
- High-speed uplink models such as SFP (1G) or SFP+ (10G)
- Use Sophos Synchronized Security to easily integrate switches and keep security risk low
If you’re looking for as many ports as possible the Sophos CS110-48 is a recommended network switch. As far as cost goes, Sophos switches can range from $400 to $2,000+ for the most part.
3. Aruba
Featuring easy access and management through the Instant On mobile app, Aruba makes it easy to set up and manage networking. You can also manage it through a cloud-based web portal, which comes with all of the setup guidance you need.
A few details about Aruba switches that make them a reliable choice include:
- High-performance switching capacity such as 176 Gbps
- Layer 3 static routing, VLANs, and ACLs to protect and segment the network
- Great for bandwidth-heavy applications like video conferencing and VoIP
Aruba switches have no issue prioritizing critical traffic and guaranteeing uninterrupted power to PoE devices. Depending on the scale of your needs, Aruba has many different models available. Once you find what you’re looking for, you have network switch capabilities that can scale with your business needs over time.
4. Fortinet FortiSwitches
A name that stands tall among others in this article, Fortinet network switches come with some unique benefits that help them stand out. Focusing on a combination of security, performance, and manageability, FortiSwitches is an excellent choice for many reasons.
Notable features and specifications of FortiSwitches include:
- Easy full integration into Fortinet Security Fabric via FortiLink
- Supports both standalone and FortiLink modes
- High performance 10/40 GE capable
- Managed through a single interface with FortiGate
With more than enough adaptability for companies of all sizes, Fortinet is a seamless option that’s very simple to integrate. For data centers, servers, and firewall aggregation, FortiSwitches are an excellent option.
Final Thoughts
Although the best network switch manufacturers mentioned in this article are widely popular, they aren’t the only options on the table. Others, such as Cisco Meraki and Ruckus Wireless are viable options as well.
From another standpoint, where you source their products matters as well. You can find answers to all of your questions by browsing the many network switch solutions available with us at Firewalls.com.
Need assistance choosing a Network Switch? Our certified security experts can help you find the right switch for your business! Give us a call at 866-645-2140.