Network Switch

Ethernet Switches

Check out Tom's Blog Post:  Super fast 10GB/second 10GbE Ethernet Switches

While one end of an Ethernet cable plugs into your computer, printer, laptop, or other network device, the other end likely plugs into a Ethernet switch. Switches vary in speed and in the number of ports or devices that can plug into them. You can also get managed and unmanaged switches.

It is hard to believe that the device that works the hardest and has the most blinking lights is also the least appreciated, at least until it fails. Your Ethernet switch is critical to your network. Wired Ethernet devices simply won't work without it. A little consideration in buying the right switch can go a long way.

A few things to consider when buying a switch:

  • Plan for growth: Buy a switch that has two times the number of ports you actually need now.
  • Have a spare on hand: If a switch fails it can bring your business to a grinding halt until it is replaced. Having a backup switch in the rack and ready to go can make you a hero. You can't simply go to a store and buy a switch. Generally they have to be ordered.
  • Have your switches and routers on UPS power supplies. Switches and routers depend on good clean power so that your data will not be corrupted. Since they do not use much power, you can have several sharing a UPS.
  • Get the fastest switch you can afford. If you get 10GbE, you will grow into it.
  • Managed switches are OK, but not worth the extra money. Network management happens on a good router these days.

 

We offer and install the following Ethernet Switches:

Your computer network is the most used, most relied upon, most critical asset for running your business..... but it is probably the least appreciated.

There are two types of computer networks in business today. Those that were designed and installed well by competent professionals, and those that were not.  Most likely your network falls into the second category because you are looking for help and reading this!  Most networks that we encounter are a product of evolution.  When you first set up a network, it was a simple matter of running some wire around from computer to computer until the lights started blinking.  You either installed your first network yourself, or gave a deserving kid an opportunity to earn some money and gain experience while on summer vacation.  Maybe it was your own kid or relative and nobody wants to criticize their work.  It all seemed simple enough, but then you started adding more computers and eventually a server to share files.  You added Internet and maybe some multi-user software, printers, and other devices.  At some point, you added a wireless router so that your employees could use their laptops, smartphones, and tablets.  Somehow it all magically worked,,,, until it didn't!  This was all great until things started slowing down.  Strange error messages started appearing on your screens, and some computers could not get reliably connected.  Data got corrupted and you started having some real problems.  You can see from the variety of types and colors of network cable lying around that different people have come through and expanded or repaired your network, spendng no more than what it takes to get by.   You lost track of what goes where and what is actually being used. Employees come and go and nobody today really knows exactly what you have or understands how it all works, nor do they care. Eventually something breaks and you find out that the company, or individual who installed your network is out of business, or grew up and moved on.  Now you have a mess and you want someone to come in and straighten it all out.  Yes, we have seen it all before.  It is time for a new network, this time professionally installed!

We have many years of experience successfully installing networks for small and medium sized business all over Central Indiana.

Typically a network install is the beginning of a long relationship with our customers.  We take the care and time to plan and do the job right.  We do not compromise quality on something that will wind up being so critical to the running of your business.  We stick to well established wiring and installation standards and follow best practices, which will make your network reliable and easy to expand and maintain in the future.  The last thing we want is for a poorly installed network to come back and haunt us.