What a network switch does

Switch and router

• The router connects your office to the internet and decides what goes in and out. In businesses, it is often part of the firewall.
• The switch connects devices inside the office to each other: computers, printers, servers, phones and Wi-Fi access points. It sends each piece of traffic only to the device it is meant for.

Every cable from a wall socket usually ends at a switch.

What a business switch adds

• Power over the cable. Many switches can power phones, Wi-Fi access points and cameras through the network cable, known as PoE. One cable does both jobs.
• Separate networks on the same cables. A managed switch can keep phones, guests, cameras and staff computers apart, even though they share wiring.
• Priority for phone calls, so voice traffic goes first when the network is busy.
• Monitoring, so failing ports or overloaded links can be spotted.

Signs your switch needs attention

• Phones or access points that drop out together.
• Some desks with slow connections while others are fine.
• An old unmanaged switch that nobody can log in to.
• No spare ports, so extra small switches have been added under desks.