Dell Networking switches play an integral role in setting up network infrastructure for businesses of all sizes. In general, there are two types of switches available, namely, unmanaged Dell networking switches and Dell networking managed switches. Based on the requirements and applications, their type is chosen and implemented accordingly.
As the name suggests, unmanaged switches come with little to no configuration options, and all the ports will “see” each other. All you need is to plug them in and they will start working without any programming.
On the other hand, managed switches are configurable. You can program them according to your specific needs and preferences, set them up for trucking or link aggregation, set up VLANs, configure spanning trees, set up switch matrices, check port status, send manual WOL commands, and do a lot more.
If you don’t need advanced functions and you just want to connect all your computers to the same subnet or workgroup, then the Dell unmanaged switch is best for you. In businesses, Dell-managed switches are more desirable due to specific and detailed requirements.
Thus, in this blog, we will keep our focus on managed switches to help you learn more about them in detail.
What are Dell networking Managed Switches?
Managed switches are programmable switches that you need to actively manage for optimum performance. They are built to deliver the Quality of Service. In other words, if you know what to do, you can fine-tune the settings of a managed switch to deliver the highest quality of service.
So, it is a must to know what you are doing and why you are doing it. Though it is easy to do a quick Internet search to learn the terms such as port speed, port mirroring, VLANs, redundancy, and traffic prioritization, knowing what and why you are doing will allow you to navigate your way through the practical implications of all these concepts.
For instance, in most cases, you might want to prioritize VoIP phones over printers. However, video streaming might pose a greater challenge. While you may think about reducing bandwidth for browsing the Internet during breaks, you don’t want to do the same for video presentations and video-based learning.
Thus, having all your concepts clear allows you to optimize the overall performance of your network and the right use of resources within budget.
Managed switches are more complex than unmanaged switches and are also more expensive to buy. Using a managed switch will allow you to use VoIP phones instead of traditional phones, give you access to advanced call-handling features that are typically available to large enterprises, streamline business processes, improve efficiency, and reduce overall costs.
Are Dell Managed Switches good and reliable?
Dell offers high-quality unmanaged and managed switches for users with different needs. So, yes, you can rely on Dell-managed switches.
Dell Power Connect Switches have excellent network connection speeds, deliver great performance, and are considered extremely reliable. They provide stable connectivity across the organization, ensure less downtime, and are also affordable. These switches are used by mid-sized companies with more than 50 to 1,000 employees and the IT Service industry.
Their great Power Over Ethernet enhanced PoE capabilities allow users to power numerous devices, including video surveillance cameras, building automation lighting systems, telephone systems, and more. Our switches also offer robust connectivity through Open Technologies. Additionally, they feature increased downlink bandwidth, boosted uplink bandwidth, and higher stacking bandwidth.
Dell Managed Switches boost employee productivity by improving connectivity and managing modern workloads in upgraded campus networks. They support workforce transformation by enabling the smooth use of immersive, bandwidth-intensive applications. Additionally, newer models in the N series offer enhanced PoE capabilities, allowing you to take advantage of IoT and automation.
Some of the Dell EMC Power Switch N series switches such as N2224PX-ON are ideal for medium to large enterprise campus networks and retail deployments that require a wide range of PoE devices.
If you are wondering how to set up a Dell-managed switch, continue reading to learn more.
How to Set Up a Dell Managed Switch
The following steps are for Dell Power Connect 2800 series switches. As per experts, the following steps will work for any switches that can be moved from unmanaged to managed mode.
We hope these steps will help you set up Dell-managed switches.
Do you need to upgrade to the latest Dell Managed Switches? For any queries.