{"id":32506,"date":"2026-09-22T07:00:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T12:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.firewalls.com\/blog\/?p=32506"},"modified":"2026-09-14T13:14:41","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T18:14:41","slug":"recommended-network-switch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.firewalls.com\/blog\/recommended-network-switch\/","title":{"rendered":"Recommended Network Switch Features: 6 Specs IT Teams Should Prioritize"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"32506\" class=\"elementor elementor-32506\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aef291d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"aef291d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c99b1ef elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c99b1ef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a similar fashion to firewall hardware, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.firewalls.com\/brands\/fortinet\/fortiswitches.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">recommended network switch<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> features you should look for can vary quite a bit. You\u2019ll want to look further than port count alone, as this isn\u2019t the only compatibility metric for choosing the right solution for your network.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other factors such as port speed, uplink options, and switching capacity all play a role in your final decision here. That\u2019s why I\u2019ve put together a list of six specific features IT teams should make a priority when reviewing network switches for business operations.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2955cd3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2955cd3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Key Takeaways:\n<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dea218b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dea218b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Port speed and uplinks determine available network bandwidth<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Switching capacity supports reliable traffic handling<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PoE simplifies connectivity for powered network devices<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Management and monitoring improve network visibility<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VLANs, security, and QoS help control network traffic<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55a82d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"55a82d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">6 Recommended Network Switch Features\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-82e73cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"82e73cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Network switch capabilities determine how effective that specific device will perform within a real-world IT environment. Moreover, you\u2019ll come across various hardware options that include different deployment options, focusing on different needs for different types of network demands.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From port and uplink specs to switching performance, overall management, and even power delivery are important considerations. While this exact list may not apply to every business out there, it acts as a great starting point when searching for a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.firewalls.com\/brands\/cisco-meraki\/network-switches.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">high performance network switch<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that\u2019s right for you.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-99bf9fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"99bf9fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.firewalls.com\/category\/network-switches.html\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firewalls.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/generic-firewalls-banner.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-29323\" alt=\"Generic Firewalls Banner\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firewalls.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/generic-firewalls-banner.png 1280w, https:\/\/www.firewalls.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/generic-firewalls-banner-300x47.png 300w, https:\/\/www.firewalls.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/generic-firewalls-banner-1024x160.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.firewalls.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/generic-firewalls-banner-768x120.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0dd0cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"e0dd0cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-058c1d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"058c1d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1. Port Speed and Multi Gigabit Switch Connectivity\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e633b0a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e633b0a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For starters, always keep in mind that port speed determines how much data can move between the switch and connected devices. In addition to that, options like 1 GbE, 2.5 GbE, and 10 GbE will give you different levels of bandwidth for varying network loads.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You also want to consider SFP and SFP+ interfaces here, which are in place to provide <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.firewalls.com\/blog\/choose-a-cisco-meraki-ms-switch\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flexible options<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for fiber and higher-speed network uplinks. Choosing the right port and uplink capabilities will not only accommodate current bandwidth, but give you room to grow as well.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3eeac49 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3eeac49\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. Switching Capacity and Performance\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-844f729 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"844f729\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to switching capacity, this measures the max amount of data a switch can process. More importantly, you should evaluate capacity alongside the switch\u2019s total port count, as well as the individual port speeds.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don\u2019t already know, your network switch needs enough capacity to handle the combined traffic its interfaces can generate. Adding another layer to this, packet buffer capacity is what indicates how much traffic can be temporarily held when your network is experiencing a bit of congestion.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f138fcc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f138fcc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. Power Over Ethernet (PoE) Support\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4038942 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4038942\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What I love about PoE is that you get both electrical power and network connectivity through a single Ethernet cable. Making use of PoE can do wonders for simplifying device deployment. To add on to this, it does so by reducing the need for separate electrical connections.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This tends to be a common feature among <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.firewalls.com\/brands\/sonicwall\/network-switches.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">enterprise network switch<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> options, but it isn\u2019t exclusive to this tier by any means. Moreover, IT teams should always account for not only current, but future device expectations down the road. This can also include support for things like access points, VoIP phones, IoT equipment, and more.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b920e5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6b920e5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4. Management and Monitoring Capabilities\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3afdf24 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3afdf24\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Searching for specific features is fine, but that doesn\u2019t mean looking at the full scope of management isn\u2019t equally crucial. Managed switching is supposed to give you seamless support, but that isn\u2019t universal from one model to the next.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A managed gigabit Ethernet switch can be handled in more ways than one. Whether you\u2019re managing in-house or with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.firewalls.com\/professional-services.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">external support<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, this allows you to monitor port activity and device status, including network behavior.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d974303 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d974303\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">5. VLAN, Security, and Network Segmentation Features\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf59c6f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cf59c6f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A helpful component to your network security strategy, VLANs divide your network into logical segments focused on angles like devices, apps, and traffic types. In addition to that, having separate corporate, guest, and even voice VLANs can ensure you effectively control communication between network groups.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Network segmentation is a part of this conversation too, as it supports access control, traffic isolation, and even compliance requirements. Overall, IT teams should lean into these features, based on the needs of their network structure and organizational requirements.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b9b8d40 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b9b8d40\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">6. Quality of Service and Traffic Control\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67e5ba7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"67e5ba7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It isn\u2019t entirely out of the scope of reality to run into bandwidth issues. You also have to think about traffic prioritization here, as it helps reduce the impact of congestion across the board.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having Quality of Service (QoS) on your side helps to prioritize network traffic when you\u2019re experiencing limited bandwidth. On top of that, IT teams can utilize traffic policies to give time-sensitive apps the network resources they need.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b897f5d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b897f5d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Recommended Network Switch Features Overview\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-84f97de elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"84f97de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To help you <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.firewalls.com\/blog\/managed-versus-unmanaged-network-switch\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">navigate all of this<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in a practical way, it helps to streamline your understanding of what exactly to look for in the hardware. Check out the table below as an easy reference point for important switch features and why they matter.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51fa50b elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"51fa50b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">\n<table id=\"tablepress-223\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-223\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">Feature<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">Spec Examples<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">Why It Matters<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Port Speed &amp; Connectivity<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">1 GbE, 2.5 GbE, 10 GbE, SFP\/SFP+<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Determines available bandwidth and uplink capacity<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Switching Capacity &amp; Performance<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Switching capacity, packet buffer, MAC table<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Indicates how effectively the switch can handle network traffic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">PoE Support<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">PoE standard, per-port power, total PoE budget<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Determines which powered devices the switch can support<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Management &amp; Monitoring<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Centralized management, SNMP, Syslog, CLI\/web interface<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Provides configuration, visibility, and troubleshooting capabilities<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Security &amp; Segmentation<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">VLANs, 802.1X, ACLs, DHCP snooping, MAB<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Helps control access and isolate network traffic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">QoS &amp; Traffic Control<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">802.1p, DSCP, bandwidth control, storm control, link aggregation<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Helps prioritize traffic and maintain consistent performance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-223 from cache --><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60843a2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"60843a2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-339cfa8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"339cfa8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While this isn\u2019t the end-all, be-all of your network security strategy, switches are still a vital component. This is especially true considering the evolving nature of cyber threats, and how legacy hardware struggles to keep up on its own.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c58c0c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0c58c0c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.firewalls.com\/professional-services.html\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"200\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.firewalls.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Managed-Services-1.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-28915 lazyload\" alt=\"Managed Security Services\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firewalls.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Managed-Services-1.png 1280w, https:\/\/www.firewalls.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Managed-Services-1-300x47.png 300w, https:\/\/www.firewalls.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Managed-Services-1-1024x160.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.firewalls.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Managed-Services-1-768x120.png 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1280px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1280\/200;\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-437207b elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"437207b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc03831 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cc03831\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Final Word\n<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51562cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"51562cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More than ever, business network security strategy demands a multi-layered approach. These recommended network switch features are just one of many examples of this truth. I always like to note that your network switch requirements are bound to vary over time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choosing the right hardware requires an understanding of current and future network demands. Of course, this isn\u2019t something you have to juggle on your own. From the hardware to overall security strategy and management support, consider having a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.firewalls.com\/contact\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">chat with us<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at Firewalls.com for the sake of your business network.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ce2349 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"4ce2349\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"tel:3172254117\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Call Now<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37f2b78 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"37f2b78\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9f5d10a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9f5d10a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Frequently Asked Questions\n<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a4da854 elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"a4da854\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1720\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1720\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> What are the Most Important Recommended Network Switch Features to Consider? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1720\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac1db27 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ac1db27\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1a74b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b1a74b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The key features include angles like port speed, switching capacity, PoE support, management capabilities, security and segmentation, as well as QoS and traffic control.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1721\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1721\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Why is Switching Capacity Important in a Network Switch? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1721\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-efca4e0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"efca4e0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f21dd05 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f21dd05\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Switching capacity indicates how much data a switch can process, and should be evaluated alongside port count and port speeds to ensure reliable performance.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1722\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"3\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1722\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> When Should a Business Choose a Multi Gigabit Switch? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1722\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-09444fa e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"09444fa\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0adef71 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0adef71\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A multi gigabit network switch can be very useful when connected devices end up requiring more bandwidth.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1723\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"4\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1723\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> What Should IT Teams Look for in PoE Support? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1723\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8bb1894 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8bb1894\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42f84c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"42f84c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IT teams should evaluate the PoE standard, per-port power output, and total PoE budget. This is to make sure the switch you\u2019re looking at can support current and future demands for powered devices.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1724\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"5\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1724\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> How do VLANs and Security Features Improve Network Switching? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1724\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a3f01bf e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a3f01bf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a20c45 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8a20c45\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VLANs, 802.1X, ACLs, DHCP snooping, and MAC-based authentication can help segment traffic, control access, and support compliance requirements.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What are the Most Important Recommended Network Switch Features to Consider?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The key features include angles like port speed, switching capacity, PoE support, management capabilities, security and segmentation, as well as QoS and traffic control.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Why is Switching Capacity Important in a Network Switch?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Switching capacity indicates how much data a switch can process, and should be evaluated alongside port count and port speeds to ensure reliable performance.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"When Should a Business Choose a Multi Gigabit Switch?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"A multi gigabit network switch can be very useful when connected devices end up requiring more bandwidth.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What Should IT Teams Look for in PoE Support?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"IT teams should evaluate the PoE standard, per-port power output, and total PoE budget. 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