So you’re looking at buying an Ethernet switch like the TP-LINK. Examining the different port counts, you may be wondering, how many ports do I need for my Ethernet switch – the best answer we can give is that it varies.

 

Browsing the different Ethernet switches available, you’ll come across a variety of port counts with some more appropriate for commercial or industrial environments and some better for at-home use. How many ports you need is going to come down to the amount of wired devices you wish to connect. Also, it may come down to price. As you might expect, Ethernet switches with less ports typically are more affordable than switches with more.

For anyone who doesn’t know what we’re talking about when we say ‘Ethernet switches’, another name for them is network switches. These are essentially Internet boxes with allow a user to connect multiple devices to the same Local Area Network (LAN). Pack switching is used to transfer data from one device to the next. Ethernet switches like these are perfect for an office, residentially, or in situations where multiple PCs need to be in connection.

 

Now, there are managed Ethernet switches and unmanaged switches. Managed switches are administered through a supported method such as a command line interface. They can also prioritize traffic, meaning let’s say one of your ports is connected to streaming 4K Netflix, priority can be assigned to this port ensuring there aren’t any problems when it comes to bandwidth speed or video quality. Evidently, this could affect other parts of the network negatively.

 

Comparatively, unmanaged Ethernet switches require no self-management. Simply connect through an Ethernet cable and the switch itself will take care of everything else. Unmanaged switches are recommended for home and small office setups that are not looking for a lot of hassle with their Ethernet connections. For networking beginners, these work wonders and keep things super easy and simple enough for anyone to handle.

 

Back to the question about ports now, Ethernet switches can vary from as few as five ports to as many as 48 or more. Always select one more port than you actually need. Why this is the case is because one port will be required to run to your router.

 

Connect your devices through a simple Ethernet connection via a TP-LINK switch. Make it easy connecting a desktop PC with a laptop, gaming console, printer, and more. Shop your favourite Ethernet switches and even better, you can also pick up some Ethernet cables in bulk which’ll save you even more money in the long run. So weigh the possibilities and see how many ports required for your home or place of business.