If your office network is a single switch someone bought years ago, buried under a desk, you’re not alone. Switches are easy to ignore until something goes wrong: video calls stutter, a new camera won’t power on, or someone asks why the guest Wi-Fi can see the office file server. A suitable switch can help, but cabling, internet performance, Wi-Fi, and firewall configuration also matter. Here’s how the three main types compare, in plain language.
What a switch does
Your router connects your office to the internet. A switch connects your devices to each other and to the router: PCs, printers, phones, access points, cameras, and NAS drives. Every wired device in your office plugs into a switch somewhere.
Unmanaged switches: plug and play
An unmanaged switch has no settings. You plug it in and it works. Every port is equal, and every device can talk to every other device.
- Good for: home offices, small offices with a few PCs and a printer, adding ports to a desk or conference room.
- Limits: no way to separate traffic, prioritize calls, or see what’s happening on the network.
Business-grade unmanaged switches such as the Cisco CBS110 16-port Gigabit switch are still worth choosing over consumer models. They’re built for always-on use, and this model adds Power over Ethernet (PoE) on part of its ports.
Smart switches: the small-business sweet spot
A smart switch (sometimes called “web-managed” or “lightly managed”) adds a browser dashboard with the features small businesses use most:
- VLANs: split one physical network into separate virtual networks, for example staff, guest Wi-Fi, VoIP phones and security cameras. A compromised guest device or camera can’t reach your accounting PC.
- QoS (Quality of Service): prioritize voice and video so calls stay clear when someone starts a large download.
- Port monitoring: see which ports are active and spot cabling problems.
- Link aggregation: combine ports for more bandwidth to a server or NAS.
The Cisco CBS220 24-port smart switch is a good example. It has 24 Gigabit ports for devices plus four SFP slots for fiber uplinks to another closet or building.
Fully managed switches: for larger networks
Managed switches add command-line configuration, advanced routing, detailed monitoring (SNMP), stronger security features, and stacking. They’re the right choice for multi-floor offices, larger campuses, or businesses with dedicated IT staff. Most offices with fewer than about 50 people don’t need one, and the extra complexity can cause misconfiguration if no one maintains it.
Do you need PoE?
Power over Ethernet sends power and data through one network cable. It’s what lets a ceiling-mounted Wi-Fi access point, a security camera or a Teams desk phone run without its own power adapter. If you use any of these, choose a PoE switch and check two numbers:
- PoE ports: how many ports supply power. “Partial PoE” means only some of them do.
- PoE budget: the total watts the switch can supply. Add up your devices’ requirements and leave some room to spare.
Quick decision guide
| Your situation | Recommended type |
|---|---|
| Fewer than 10 devices, no guest Wi-Fi or cameras | Unmanaged |
| Phones, access points or cameras to power | Unmanaged PoE or smart PoE |
| Guest Wi-Fi, cameras, or VoIP to keep separate | Smart switch with VLANs |
| Multiple closets, 50+ users, or compliance requirements | Fully managed |
Don’t forget the rest of the network
- Cabling: Cat6 or Cat6a patch cables are inexpensive and support Gigabit and faster speeds.
- Power: put your switch and router on a UPS so a power flicker doesn’t take the office offline.
- Security: a switch doesn’t replace a firewall. Pair it with a business firewall and keep firmware up to date.
- Labeling: label both ends of every cable. Future you will be grateful.
Planning a network refresh? Tell us how many devices you have and what you need to power, and we’ll put together a parts list, whether or not you buy it from us.