What is access switch? This article will tell you about it and guide you through choosing the right one. It helps you make informed decisions for your network setup.
What is Access Switch?
You've probably heard of switches, but what's the deal with access switches? Simply put, access switches are the ones that connect your devices (like PCs, printers, phones, etc.) to the main network. They let you and your coworkers use the network services you need. The main job of the access switches is to send packets of data from one device to another. They do this by looking at the target address in each packet and checking their MAC address table, which tells them which port each device is connected to. Then they forward the packet to the right port.
What’s more, the access switches can also create VLANs, which are like separate networks within the same physical network. You can put different devices in different VLANs to make the network more secure and easier to manage.
Access switches are usually found in places where there are a lot of devices, like offices or meeting rooms. They link the devices to the main network and carry the user data from the devices to the main network. The quality and reliability of access switches are very important for the whole network to work well.
How to Choose the Right Access Switch
After understanding the question “what is access switch”, let’s dive into the task of selecting the ideal access switch. Here are several factors come into play:
1. Hardware
Port Density:
The port rate of the access switch is the main concern of end users. Generally speaking, for small businesses, access switches provide multiple ports with 10M/100M/1000M adaptive capability, but if the port rate requirements are higher, such as data centers, etc., you need to consider a higher port rate access switch, such as 10G switches.
2. Performance
Packet Forwarding Ratio:
As mentioned above, the port rate is one of the selection considerations, so is the packet forwarding ratio. Because port rate does not represent line speed, some switches may not be able to achieve full throughput. So, what is the packet forwarding rate? The packet forwarding rate is the number of packets forwarded per second, which defines the processing power of a switch by calibrating the number of packets it can handle per second. The higher the packet forwarding rate the better the performance of the access switch.
Frame Buffer:
When there is congestion in packets going to a server or other areas of the network, the packets can be stored in a buffer until they are processed by a slower device. Is a larger frame buffer better? Actually not, too large a buffer will affect the forwarding speed of packets in a normal communication state, but too small and easy to cause congestion, so when choosing an access switch, the appropriate buffer size coupled with an advanced buffer scheduling algorithm is the most important.
3. Function
Management:
Access switches are divided into managed and unmanaged types. Generally speaking, managed access switches can be managed based on console port, Telnet, CLI, Web interface, etc. Meanwhile, configuration can also be realized through Network Management Protocol (SNMP), etc. The unmanaged access switches are foolproof switches, which simply support communication. If the end devices are complex, it is recommended to use a managed access switch.
Security and Reliability:
Since the access switch is located at the network boundary, its security is crucial. If it is hacked at will, the whole network will be paralyzed. Therefore, access switches need to support IEEE 802.1X-like access control and authentication protocols to ensure network security. Of course, the access switch can also ensure network security by virtue of VLAN isolation technology, RADIUS / TACACS+ authentication, DHCP listening, IP source protection and dynamic ARP detection, and DoS attack defense.
In addition, if there is a variety of network traffic such as voice, video, and data in the network, then the access switch needs to support QoS in order to maintain and manage the priority of the traffic, to avoid network delays, blocking and other problems, and to ensure that the designated traffic is prioritized for transmission as well as normal operation of the network.
Scalability:
Scalability generally refers to the access capacity, processing capacity, bandwidth, and smooth expansion, in which the stacking function and LACP function of the access switch can realize higher access capacity and bandwidth.
4. Cost
The cost of the access switch is also one of the key factors to consider. The cost of an access switch depends on the number and rate of interfaces, supported features, and brand, among others. The performance requirements of an access switch are not as high as those of an aggregation/core switch, so it is sufficient to purchase one at a relatively low price.
By understanding these nuances, I’m sure you can understand “what is access switch” is and confidently navigate the process of choosing the right access switch for your specific network requirements. The access switch, though often overlooked, serves as the linchpin for effective and efficient communication within your local network.
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