October 29, 2023 • 38 mins
What if you had the power to control and optimize your network traffic? Picture this: a network under your command that guarantees low latency and the necessary bandwidth for your critical applications. Welcome to our latest podcast episode that breaks down the complex world of managed switches in computer networking. We start off by unraveling the primary purpose of a switch, guiding you through its intelligent routing of data using unique MAC addresses. We then highlight how managed switches empower network administrators with a user-friendly web-based interface or a traditional command line interface. The episode also sheds light on the creation of Virtual LANs (VLANs) that can enhance your network organization, security, and traffic management.
Ever wondered how you can maximize your network security and traffic monitoring? Tune in as we delve into the remarkable security features of a managed switch. Understand the intricacies of 802.1x port-based authentication, dynamic ARP inspection, IP source guard, and more. We also cover the important facets of traffic monitoring and analysis supported by managed switches. Spoiler alert: It's not only about port statistics and traffic prioritization! Finally, we unveil the pros and cons of owning a managed switch, taking into account its complexity, the necessary security measures, cost considerations, and a lot more. So, buckle up for an enlightening journey through the world of managed switches!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
I, and welcome to the technology tap.
(00:32):
I'm professor Jay Rod.
On this episode we are going totalk about managed switches.
Let's get into it Now, right,as always, let's do a little bit
(01:03):
of housekeeping before we start.
First of all, welcome.
I'm professor Jay Rod.
Professor J R O D, you canreach me at professor Jay rod at
gmailcom.
Second, I Know the last episodemight have sound a little bit
different than today.
I was trying new equipment Inthe last episode, I don't know,
(01:24):
I ended up having to go back tothe old one, so I spent a lot of
time, almost the whole day,trying to fix it.
I couldn't do it.
So Sometimes, just because it'snew, guys as a mean is better,
right, I learned that a longtime ago.
And the third thing is I Almostin the process of getting some
(01:48):
merch shirts and if you guys areinterested in that With the
logo, you know I'll give it awayfor free.
I might end up giving it awayto some of my students as Maybe
contests.
That I do.
But if you're interested in ashirt, just let me know,
professor Jay Rod, professor J RO D, edgmailcom, and I try to
(02:09):
see if I could send you one.
I had cups before, but thenthey got ruined, doing a flood
that I had here in In New Jerseyone time.
But yeah, let's see how theshirts work, so we'll see.
All right, let's get to it.
Managed switches and the remotecomputer networking.
(02:30):
A switch is a fundamental andcritical network device that
operates primary at data linklayer, which is the layer 2 of
the OSI model.
The primary function of aswitch is to facilitate
Efficient and intelligenttransfer of data within a land.
Like older network devices,like a hub, which simply
(02:50):
broadcast data packets to allconnected devices, switches are
intelligent Devices that makedecisions about where to send
data packets.
They achieve this by examiningthe unique MAC address or media
access control.
So, say, the one device isconnected to the network.
Each device had on a networkhas a distinct MAC address.
(03:13):
Right by the else, everybodyhas their own unique MAC address
, akin to a digital fingerprintwhen data sent.
A switch utilizes these MACaddress to determine which
specific port To send the datapacket, to ensuring that it
reaches into the recipient andisn't broadcast unnecessary to
all devices.
Managed switches are anadvanced network device that
(03:35):
provide network administratorswith a high degree of Control
and configurability.
They offer the followingfeatures user interface managed
switches come with a web-basedinterface or a command line
access that allows networkadministrators To configure and
monitor the switch.
This interface provides detailcontrol over various aspects,
(03:56):
and let's take a look at some ofthem.
Web-based interface managedswitches are equipped with a
built-in web-based GUI orgraphic user interface.
This web interface isaccessible through a web browser
, making it user friendly andaccessible to network
administrators.
It allows you to configure andmanage various aspects of the
(04:16):
switch's operation.
To access the web interface,you typically need to know the
IP address of the switch verydifferent from unmanaged right
and the login credentialsprovided by the manufacturers
Within the log.
Within the web interface, youcan do the following Configure
ports.
Enable or disable specific ports.
Set port speed and duplexsettings and configure port
(04:40):
security features.
Create VLANs.
Segment your network intodifferent virtual lands and
configure the settings.
Setup quality of service.
Prioritize network trafficensuring that critical
applications Get the necessarybandwidth and low latency.
Monitor traffic.
View real-time and historicaldata on a network traffic,
(05:02):
including port statistics andair logs.
Security configurationConfigure access control list
Mac address filtering and othersecurity settings.
Firmware updates check forfirmware updates and apply them
to keep the switch up to date.
Can't really do that withunmanaged switch Command line
interface.
For network administrators whoprefer a more traditional and
(05:25):
text-based interface, a managedswitch often provides a command
line interface.
This allows you to configureand manage the switch by
entering commands, much likeusing a text-based terminal.
Access to the CLI may require adirect serial connection or,
more commonly, connecting viatelnet or secure share over the
network.
(05:45):
Within the CLI, you can performtasks like configure VLANs,
create and manage virtual linesfor network segmentation, set
port configurations, configureport settings such as speed,
duplex and port security,implement QoS policies, define
quality of service policies toprioritize traffic, monitor
(06:05):
traffic and diagnose issues.
Run command to check portstatistics, view error logs and
troubleshoot network problems.
Security settings, configureaccess control, mac address
filtering and other securitymeasures.
The choice between theweb-based interface and the CLI
or command line often depends onthe administrator's familiarity
(06:27):
and preferences.
Some network administratorsprefer the convenience of a
graphic web interface, whileothers opt for the command line
interface for more precisecontrol and automation
capabilities.
Managed switches typicallyprovide both options to cater to
the various user preference andrequirements.
(06:50):
Vlans managed switches enablethe creation of virtual LANs.
Vlans allows you to segmentyour network into multiple
virtual networks, enhancingnetwork security and traffic
management.
Let's take a little bit furtherbut deep dive into this.
Network segmentation.
Vlans enable the creation ofisolated logical networks within
(07:11):
a physical networks.
The segmentation enhancesnetwork organization, security
and traffic management.
For example, in a businessnetwork you can have separate
VLANs for different departmentslike HR, finance and IT,
isolating their traffic fromeach other.
Enhanced security by segmentinga network into VLANs you can
(07:34):
improve security.
Devices within the same VLANcan communicate with each other,
but they are prevented fromdirectly communicating with
devices in other VLANs, unlessrouting is configured to allow
it.
This isolation adds a layer ofsecurity and helps prevent
unauthorized access.
Traffic isolation VLAN preventsbroadcast traffic from flooding
the entire network.
(07:54):
Broadcasts are limited to theVLAN in which they originate,
reducing network congestions andimproving performance.
Optimized network traffic VLANsallow network administrators to
prioritize traffic within eachVLAN.
Quality of service settings canbe applied to ensure that
critical applications within aVLAN received a necessary
(08:15):
bandwidth and low latency, evenwhen the network is congested.
Ease of management networkmanagement is simplified when
network segments are based onVLANs.
For instance, changes innetwork configurations and
security policies can be appliedat the VLAN level rather than
affecting the entire network.
Configuring VLANs in a managedswitch involves assigning
(08:38):
specific ports to a particularVLAN.
A managed switch offers theflexibility to configure VLANs
using either a web-based graphicuser interface or a command
line interface.
Here is a basic overview ofconfiguring VLANs on a managed
switch Using a web-basedinterface.
You access the switch web-basedinterface through a web browser
(08:59):
by entering the switch IP andlogging credentials.
You navigate to the VLANconfiguration settings.
They may be level as VLANs orVLAN management or something
similar.
Create VLANs and assignspecific ports to each VLAN.
You can define the VLANs IDnames and other settings.
Apply your changes and theswitch will reconfigure its port
(09:19):
assignments based on your VLANconfigurations Using a command
line interface.
Connect to the switch's commandline using a terminal emulation
program or SSH, slash telnet.
Access the VLAN configurationmode within the command line.
Define VLANs and assign portsto VLANs using command lines.
These commands will specify theVLANs ID names and port
(09:45):
membership.
Save your configurations andthe switch will implement the
changes.
In summary, vlan support inmanaged switches is a crucial
feature for creating segmented,secure and efficiently managed
network.
It allows networkadministrations to tailor
network configurations to thespecific needs of the
(10:05):
organization, improving networkorganizations performance and
security.
Next, let's talk about qualityof service.
Managed switches supportquality of service settings
allowing you to prioritizenetwork traffic.
This is critical for ensuringthat critical applications
receive the necessary bandwidthand low latency, even during
(10:26):
network congestions.
Here are key components andaspects of quality of service.
Traffic prioritization QoSallows network administrations
to assign different levels ofpriority to different types of
network traffic.
This is typically done byclassifying packets into
different traffic classes basedon the characteristics, such as
(10:49):
the type of applicationgenerating traffic.
Traffic classification Networkdevices include managed switches
that can classify networktraffic based on various
criteria, such as source anddestination, ip address, source,
destination, port numbers andapplication signatures.
This classification helps indetermining how packets should
(11:10):
be treated.
Q management Once packets areclassified, they are placed into
specific Qs based on thepriority or service class.
Qs are managed by the switch toensure that higher priority
traffic gets serviced beforelower priority traffic.
Bandwidth allocation Quality ofservice allows for allocation
(11:31):
of specific amounts of bandwidthto prevent traffic classes or
queues.
This ensures that criticaltraffic receives its required
share of available bandwidth.
Traffic shaping Some QoSimplementations include traffic
shaping, which is a mechanismfor controlling the rate at
which traffic is transmitted.
Traffic shaping can preventnetwork congestion and ensure
(11:55):
that traffic adheres to thepredetermined profile.
Congestion controls.
In times of network congestions, qos can help manage and
control traffic to preventnetwork saturation.
This may involve dropping ordelaying lower priority traffic
to ensure that higher priorityapplications continue to
function smoothly.
(12:17):
Video and voice quality QoS iscrucial for real-time
applications like VoIP and videoconferencing.
It ensures that voice and videopackets are prioritized to
minimize latency and jitter,improving the quality of
communication.
Application optimization QoScan be used to optimize the
(12:38):
performance of specificapplications, such as ensuring
low latency for online gamblingor fast response time for
critical business applications.
Security Quality of service canbe employed to improve network
security by controlling the flowof traffic and preventing
certain type of traffic fromconsuming ex-if network
(12:59):
resources.
Qos settings are typicallyconfigured in managed switch.
Through their web-basedgraphical user interface or
command line interface, networkadministration administrators
define policies and rules tomanage traffic based on the
requirements of the network andthe applications running it.
The implementation of QoS cansignificantly enhance the user
(13:20):
experience, particularly innetwork with diverse traffic
profiles.
It ensures that criticalapplications, the services and
networks with diverse trafficprofiles and ensure that
critical applications andservices are not negatively
impacted by non-essential orless sensitive traffic,
contributing to improved networkperformance and user
(13:40):
satisfaction.
The next feature we're going totalk about is security features.
Managed switch offers advancedsecurity features, such as port
level access control, macaddress filtering and the
ability to configure securitypolicies.
These features enhance networksecurity.
Let's start off with portsecurity.
(14:01):
Port security allows you tocontrol which devices can
connect to the specific switchports based on their MAC address
.
You can configure the switch toallow specific MAC address to a
port or preventing or authorizedevices from connecting.
Access control list Accesscontrol list is a list that is
(14:22):
formed by that you could createa used-to-control network
traffic by defining rules thatpermit or deny specific packets
based on the source anddestination, ip address, port
numbers and other criteria.
Acls are powerful tools forsecuring a network by filtering
traffic at the switch level.
Again, mac address filteringmanages, which is support.
(14:44):
Mac address filtering, whichenables you to specify which MAC
address are allowed or denyaccess to the network.
These cells prevent orauthorize access.
802.1 port based authentication.
This feature requires device toauthenticate themselves before
gaining access to the network.
(15:04):
It is commonly used inenterprise where security is a
top priority, such as enterprisenetworks.
Device must provide validcredentials, such as username
and password, before thatgranted access.
Radius authentication remoteauthentication darling user
service is often used inconjunction with 802.1x
(15:25):
authentication to providecentralized authentication,
authorization and accountingservices.
It allows for a higher level ofsecurity by validating user
credentials through a centralserver.
Dynamic ARP inspection helpsprevent ARP DAI or a dynamic ARP
(15:47):
inspection helps prevent ARPaddress resolution protocols
spoofing attack.
It verifies that ARP packetscontain valid IP to MAC address
bindings, reducing the risk fora man of middle attack.
Ip source guard limits IPtraffic on untrusted ports to
(16:08):
only traffic with valid sourceIP address.
This feature helps prevent IPaddress spoofing attacks.
Spatic tree protocol or STPsecurity manage switches often
offer security features relatedto STP, such as root guard and
BPDU or bridge protocol dataunit, which protect against
(16:31):
unauthorized changes in thenetwork topology.
Dhcp snooping is a securityfeature that ensures that only
authorized DHCP servers canassign IP address to the device
on the network.
It helps prevent rogue DHCPservers from distributing
incorrect or malicious IPconfigurations.
Secure management interfacemanage switches allows you to
(16:56):
secure access to the managementinterface, such as web-based GUI
or CLI or command line, withfeatures like SSL and TLS
encryption, secure shell accessand role-based access control.
Vlag segmentation creatingVLANs can also be considered a
security feature, as it isolatesnetwork segments and limits the
(17:16):
communication between devicesin different VLANs.
Event logging and alerts.
Manage switches often offer theability to log security related
events and send alerts toadministrators when suspicious
activities are detected.
They include logging failedauthentication attempts or
unusual traffic patterns.
(17:37):
These security featurescollectively help protect
network infrastructure, data andthe devices connected to the
network.
They are particularly importantfor organizations with
stringent security requirements,such as business, government
agencies and educationalinstitutions, where network
integrity and confidentialityare paramount.
Security features in a managedswitch provide a robust defense
(18:04):
against various network securitythreats and vulnerability.
Next, we have traffic monitoring.
Managed switch provides toolsfor network traffic monitoring
and analysis.
You can track networkperformance, identify
bottlenecks and troubleshootissues effectively.
How do you do that?
By port statistics.
Managed switches providedetailed statistics for each
(18:26):
port, including the number ofpackets transmitted and received
, error counts, bandwidth usageand link status.
Port statistics are valuablefor identifying issues like
network congestions orunderutilized ports.
Traffic analysis trafficanalysis tools within managed
switches can capture and analyzenetwork traffic, providing
(18:48):
insights in the type of packetsand protocols being used.
Disinformation is essential fordiagnosing network issues,
identifying potential securitythreats and optimizing network
performance.
Jumbo frames Some managedswitches support the use of
jumbo frames, which are largerEthernet frames that the
standard size Jumbo frames canreduce the overhead associated
(19:10):
with smaller frames, leading toimproved network efficiency.
Traffic monitoring can helptrack the performance and impact
of jumbo frame usage.
Flow monitoring, often based onprotocols like NetFlow or SFlow
, it tracks the flow of databetween devices and provides
detailed information on datasources, destinations and
(19:30):
communication patterns.
Flow data is available foridentifying network congestion,
unusual behavior and bandwidthintensive applications.
Traffic prioritization managedswitches with quality of service
capabilities can monitortraffic and prioritize packets
according to configured QoSrules.
(19:51):
This ensures that criticalapplications receive necessary
bandwidth and low latency.
Security analysis Trafficmonitoring can be used to detect
suspicious on or authorizednetwork activities.
By analyzing traffic patterns,network administrators can
identify anomalies and potentialsecurity threats, such as
unusual data transfer orunauthorized access attempts.
(20:13):
Historical data Managedswitches often maintain
historical data and logs ofnetwork activity.
This historical data isessential for tracking trends,
identifying recurring issues andtroubleshooting intermittent
problems.
Real-time alerts Some managedswitches support real-time
alerts and notifications basedon specific events or thresholds
(20:35):
.
Network administrators canconfigure alerts to inform them
of critical network conditionssuch as link failures and
traffic spikes.
Bad utilization Trafficmonitoring helps administrators
track how network bandwidth isbeing used.
Disinformation is available foroptimizing network resources
and planning for capacityupgrades.
(20:57):
Troubleshooting when networkissues arrive.
Traffic monitoring tools assistin diagnostic problems and
identifying their root cause.
By examining traffic patterns,administrator can pinpoint
bottlenecks, misconfigurationsof performance-related issues.
Managed switches often arrangetools and capabilities for
(21:18):
traffic monitoring and thespecific features available may
vary depending on the switchmodel and the manufacturer.
Network administrators can usethese features to proactively
manage and optimize networkperformance, maintain network
security and ensure that thenetwork meets the requirements
of all different applicationsand services.
(21:42):
Now let's take a look at thepros and cons of having a
managed switch.
The pros control right.
Managed switch offers extensivecontrol over network settings.
Network administrators canconfigure VLANs, qos and
security measures.
You also have port control,quality of service control,
security control, trafficmonitoring analysis, your
(22:03):
spanning tree control, accesscontrol, virtualization and
segmentation.
Administrator have control ofcreating, configuring and
managing virtualized networkenvironments through VLAN.
The firmware and softwarecontrol manage switches often
allow administrators to controlthe firmware or the software
running on the switch.
This includes checking forupdates, which is a good thing
(22:26):
that you need to do.
Right, that's our very firstepisode.
Right Updating on devices.
Also, traffic shaping andbandwidth control and logging
and events and alerts I'm sorry,the level control provided by
Managed Switch gives the networkadministrator the flexibility
to tailor network needs.
(22:47):
This controls particularlybeneficial in complex network
environments.
Next, scalability is another proRight.
These switches are highlyscalable and can adapt to
growing network needs.
You can expand your network byadding more Managed Switches and
configuring them to worktogether.
You have port scalability,stacking.
(23:07):
Managed Switches supportstacking, which is a practice of
physically interconnectingmultiple switches to create a
single logical switch entity.
This enhances scalability byallowing you to manage multiple
switch as a unified system.
Stacking simplifies networkexpansion because you can add
more switches to stack,increasing port count and
(23:29):
capability.
Again, vlan scalability, trafficparallelization, secure
scalability, advanced featuresmanaged switches often price
advanced features such as levelthree routing capabilities Right
, so you turn your switch to alevel three switch.
These features are scalable inenabling the switch to perform
(23:52):
routing between multiple VLANsor support more complex network
configurations as the networkexpands.
Then power over Ethernetscalability PoE capable managed
switches can power networkconnected devices such as IP
phones, wireless access pointsand security cameras.
Scalability is the contextmeans.
(24:13):
In this context means you canadd more PoE devices to the
network by expanding the numberof PoE ports on the switch.
Scalability is essential forensuring that your network can
accommodate the growth ofdevices, applications and
services over time and withoutundergoing a disruptive network
overhaul.
Managed switches are designedwith capability in mind,
(24:35):
providing the flexibility andfeatures necessary to expand
your network infrastructure.
This scalability is especiallyvaluable for business and
enterprise experience growth orplanning for future expansion.
Network optimization with QoSand traffic monitoring
capabilities managed switch helpoptimize network performance.
(24:55):
They ensure that the criticalapplications run smoothly and
effective.
Managed network traffic Again,right quality of service.
Traffic management.
You have low balancing.
In network with high trafficloads, low balancing distributes
network traffic across multiplepaths or links, improving
(25:16):
network efficiency andpreventing congestions.
Managed switch can beconfigured to support low
balancing to optimizeperformance.
You also have jumble framesagain, monitoring analysis,
redundancy and failover.
Network optimization ofteninvolves implementing redundancy
and failover mechanism.
Managed switch support featureslike rapid spanning tree and
(25:39):
link aggregation to ensurenetwork continuity and, in case
of link or switch failures.
Energy efficiency some managedswitch are designed with energy
efficiency features, such asability to put unused ports or
devices into low power states.
Optimizing energy usage reducesthe operational costs and
(25:59):
minimize the environmentfootprint of the network.
And security optimization byimplementing security features
on managed switch, you protectthe network from vulnerabilities
and threats, ultimatelycontributing to optimized
network performance.
You have latency reduction.
Managing and optimizing thenetwork infrastructure,
(26:21):
including reducing the number ofnetwork cops, helps maintain
latency.
Low latency networks arecritical for real time
applications and services.
Bandwidth allocation managedswitches enable administrators
to allocate bandwidth Based onthe application agency
requirements.
This help optimize networkperformance by ensuring the
bandwidth hungry application donot impact the performance of
(26:44):
other switches, of otherservices and scaling network
resources, and provide theflexibility to scale network
resources as the organizationgrows.
The scalability is essentialfor ensuring that the network
can handle increased demandswithout a significant decrease
in performance.
Network optimization is anongoing process that requires
(27:06):
continuously monitoringadjustment to adapt to changing
network conditions, applicationsand user requirements and
ensure that the network operatesat peak efficiency, providing a
seamless and high qualityexperience for users by
supporting the organization'sgoal and objectives.
Another problem is security.
(27:27):
Advanced security features likeport level access control and
MAC address filtering improvenetwork security, making managed
switches suitable for businesswith strict security
requirements.
You have access control.
You have port security accesscontrol list.
You have VLANs, mac address,802.1, secure management
(27:48):
features, firmware softwaresecurity, monitoring, physical
security, radius, dynamic ARP,ip source guard.
These security measures help toprotect the network
infrastructure, data and deviceconnected to the network.
They're especially importantfor business, businesses,
organizations and institutionswith strict security
(28:11):
requirements, when networkintegrity and confidentiality
are critical.
Implementing these securityfeatures on managed switch can
help safeguard the networkagainst various threats and
vulnerabilities.
Now here are the cons.
We just talked about the prosof having a managed switch.
Let's talk about the consComplexity the increased
(28:32):
configurability of managedswitches also means they can be
more complex to set up andmaintain.
This requires skilled networkadministrators with the
knowledge of network concepts,which also means you gotta pay
them.
They have advanced features.
Configuration right theconfiguration management switch
involves a multitude of settingsand parameters and may vary
(28:54):
depending on the specific switchmodel and manufacturer.
Properly configuring VLANs, qospolicies, security settings and
routing can be complex.
That requires careful planningand execution.
A managed switch typicallyprovides web-based and
command-line interfaces forconfiguration and management.
Learning how to navigate andutilizing these interfaces
(29:17):
effectively can take time,especially for those new to
network administration.
Troubleshooting, diagnostic andresolving network issues on
managed switch can be complex.
Administrators need tounderstand how to interpret
error logs, monitor networktraffic and use diagnostic tools
efficiently to pinpoint theproblem.
Security configurationsfeatures on managed switch, such
(29:41):
as access control.
Poor security and ACLs requirecareful configuration to protect
network from threats.
Misconfigurations can haveserious security implications,
making proper setup essential orcomplex.
Interoperability and largernetwork environment.
Integrating multiple managedswitch and ensuring that they
(30:02):
work seamlessly can be complex.
Compatibility, blanconfigurations and routing
settings all need to becoordinated Documentation
keeping comprehensivedocumentation of which
configuration and networktopologies is critical and can
be complex In large, dynamicnetworks.
Accurate records are essentialfor troubleshooting and
(30:25):
maintaining network interface.
Being in skill set, networkadministrators responsible for
managing managed switches mustacquire the knowledge and skills
required to handle thecomplexities involved.
This often includes formaltraining, certification and
ongoing education.
While managed switch offerspowerful tools and capabilities,
(30:48):
the complexity means they aretypically best suited for
organizations with experiencednetwork administrators well well
versed in networking principles.
For organizations or those withless experienced IT staff might
find a learning curveassociated with managed switches
to be steep.
In such cases, hiring orconsulting with network experts
(31:09):
can be a valuable solution.
To ensure proper configurationand management Costs.
Managed switch are typicallymore expensive than unmanaged
switch, both in terms of initialinvestment and the ongoing
maintenance.
This can be a drawback forsmaller companies with tighter
budgets.
(31:29):
Brand and manufacturerwell-known networking equipment
manufacturers such as Cisco, hpand Aruba tend to offer premium
price managed switches.
Lesson on generic brands mightprovide more cost-effective
options.
Model and port count this thespecific model of the managed
switch and the number of portsthat offer significantly
(31:51):
effective costs.
Smaller switches with fewerports are generally less
expensive than the largerhigh-port count switches.
Port speeds and types managedswitches come from a range of
port speeds 1 gig, 10 gigabytes,40 gigabytes per second, 100,
and different types copper orfiber.
The speed and type of ports youwould need would impact the
(32:13):
price.
Advanced features managedswitches offer various features.
Switches are more with moreadvanced features tend to be
more expensive.
If you want to do stacking,some managed switches support
stacking, which allows multipleswitches to be managed in single
entity.
That also can add to the cost.
Relentlessly and highavailability features like
(32:35):
features like redundancyprotocols and failover
mechanisms tend to be moreexpensive.
Management interfaces switcheswith user-friendly web-based
graphic user interface andcomprehensive management
capability might charge a morepremium price.
Certifications and compliancewhich is designed for specific
(32:56):
industry standards, such asthose needed for government or
highly regulated environment,can be more costly due to the
rigorous testing andcertification processes that you
need to have Warranty andsupport the link.
In terms of the warranty, aswell as availability of support
and service contract, caninfluence the overall cost of
the managed switch.
(33:17):
You have also used orrefurbished options.
If a cost is significantconcern, you might want to
consider used or refurbishedmanaged switches.
These can offer cost savings,but it's important to ensure
that equipment is in goodworking conditions and supported
(33:37):
by the manufacturer.
In general, the price range formanaged switch can vary from a
few hundred dollars for smallbasic models with limited
reports to several thousanddollars for high-end enterprise
gray switches with numerousadvanced features and
capabilities.
When selecting a managed switch, it's important to consider
your organization's specificnetwork requirements, such as
(34:00):
number of devices to beconnected, the need for advanced
features and the budgetavailable.
Careful consideration of thesefactors will help you choose a
managed switch that provides thedesired functionality and a
cost that aligns with yourbudget.
The last con is the learningcurve.
Using the advanced features ofmanaged switch can have a steep
(34:22):
learning curve.
Network administrators need toinvest time in understanding and
configuring these switchesproperly.
Network experience yourexisting knowledge and
experience in networking play asignificant role in the learning
curve.
Network administrators with abackground in networking may
find it easier to adapt tomanaged switch, while those new
to networking may experience asteeper learning curve.
(34:45):
Switch complexity the complexityof a managed switch can vary
widely.
Some managed switch are relatedto straightforward and often
basic features, while others aremore sophisticated with
advanced capabilities like daythree routing, v-line management
and so on.
The more complex the switch,the steeper the learning curve
(35:05):
is going to be.
User interface the switch userinterface can greatly impact the
learning curve.
Managed switch typicallyoffered web-based GUIs or
command line interface.
A user friendly GUI may beeasier for beginners, while
network experts might prefer thecommand lines for their
flexibility.
Training and resources accessto training material and
(35:28):
documentation that supportresources can significantly
impact your learning experience.
Network manufacturers offer acomprehensive documentation.
Online courses andcertification programs help
users become proficient withtheir managed switches.
Network size and complexity thesize and complexity of the
network you are managing withthe switch also contributes to
(35:49):
the learning curve.
Larger and more complex networkoffering more intricate
configurations andtroubleshooting scenarios.
Specific requirements of yourorganization and network can
affect the learning curve.
If your network requiresparticular features or security
measures, you may need to learnhow to configure and manage them
on the switch.
To minimize the learning curvewhen working with the managed
(36:13):
switch.
Start with the basics.
Use available resources,training and certifications.
Consider former training andcertification programs related
to managed switch.
You are using Practice in a labenvironment.
You can set up a labenvironment where you experiment
with switch configurations.
These hands-on practice canreaffirm your learning.
(36:34):
Peer and expert support connectwith peers and experts in the
field for advice, guidance andproblem solving.
Gradual implementation If youare responsible for production
network, consider making gradualchanges and configurations to
avoid unexpected disruption.
Implementing changesincrementally allow you to learn
(36:56):
and adapt.
Remember the learning curve isa natural part of requiring new
skills and knowledge.
It can be managed effectivelywith time, dedication and the
right resources.
As you gain experience andconfidence working with managed
switches, you become morefamiliar and you can be better
to optimize and manage yournetwork efficiently.
(37:17):
So that's going to be it, guys,on this on network resource
managed switches.
I want to thank you for yourtime today and you got two for
two you know, the same week.
(37:38):
So consider yourselves lucky orme lazy, whichever one you want
to think of, but I thank youand until next time.
We'll see you then.
Bye, bye, bye, bye.
I, and welcome to the technology tap.
(00:32):
I'm professor Jay Rod.
On this episode we are going totalk about managed switches.
Let's get into it Now, right,as always, let's do a little bit
(01:03):
of housekeeping before we start.
First of all, welcome.
I'm professor Jay Rod.
Professor J R O D, you canreach me at professor Jay rod at
gmailcom.
Second, I Know the last episodemight have sound a little bit
different than today.
I was trying new equipment Inthe last episode, I don't know,
(01:24):
I ended up having to go back tothe old one, so I spent a lot of
time, almost the whole day,trying to fix it.
I couldn't do it.
So Sometimes, just because it'snew, guys as a mean is better,
right, I learned that a longtime ago.
And the third thing is I Almostin the process of getting some
(01:48):
merch shirts and if you guys areinterested in that With the
logo, you know I'll give it awayfor free.
I might end up giving it awayto some of my students as Maybe
contests.
That I do.
But if you're interested in ashirt, just let me know,
professor Jay Rod, professor J RO D, edgmailcom, and I try to
(02:09):
see if I could send you one.
I had cups before, but thenthey got ruined, doing a flood
that I had here in In New Jerseyone time.
But yeah, let's see how theshirts work, so we'll see.
All right, let's get to it.
Managed switches and the remotecomputer networking.
(02:30):
A switch is a fundamental andcritical network device that
operates primary at data linklayer, which is the layer 2 of
the OSI model.
The primary function of aswitch is to facilitate
Efficient and intelligenttransfer of data within a land.
Like older network devices,like a hub, which simply
(02:50):
broadcast data packets to allconnected devices, switches are
intelligent Devices that makedecisions about where to send
data packets.
They achieve this by examiningthe unique MAC address or media
access control.
So, say, the one device isconnected to the network.
Each device had on a networkhas a distinct MAC address.
(03:13):
Right by the else, everybodyhas their own unique MAC address
, akin to a digital fingerprintwhen data sent.
A switch utilizes these MACaddress to determine which
specific port To send the datapacket, to ensuring that it
reaches into the recipient andisn't broadcast unnecessary to
all devices.
Managed switches are anadvanced network device that
(03:35):
provide network administratorswith a high degree of Control
and configurability.
They offer the followingfeatures user interface managed
switches come with a web-basedinterface or a command line
access that allows networkadministrators To configure and
monitor the switch.
This interface provides detailcontrol over various aspects,
(03:56):
and let's take a look at some ofthem.
Web-based interface managedswitches are equipped with a
built-in web-based GUI orgraphic user interface.
This web interface isaccessible through a web browser
, making it user friendly andaccessible to network
administrators.
It allows you to configure andmanage various aspects of the
(04:16):
switch's operation.
To access the web interface,you typically need to know the
IP address of the switch verydifferent from unmanaged right
and the login credentialsprovided by the manufacturers
Within the log.
Within the web interface, youcan do the following Configure
ports.
Enable or disable specific ports.
Set port speed and duplexsettings and configure port
(04:40):
security features.
Create VLANs.
Segment your network intodifferent virtual lands and
configure the settings.
Setup quality of service.
Prioritize network trafficensuring that critical
applications Get the necessarybandwidth and low latency.
Monitor traffic.
View real-time and historicaldata on a network traffic,
(05:02):
including port statistics andair logs.
Security configurationConfigure access control list
Mac address filtering and othersecurity settings.
Firmware updates check forfirmware updates and apply them
to keep the switch up to date.
Can't really do that withunmanaged switch Command line
interface.
For network administrators whoprefer a more traditional and
(05:25):
text-based interface, a managedswitch often provides a command
line interface.
This allows you to configureand manage the switch by
entering commands, much likeusing a text-based terminal.
Access to the CLI may require adirect serial connection or,
more commonly, connecting viatelnet or secure share over the
network.
(05:45):
Within the CLI, you can performtasks like configure VLANs,
create and manage virtual linesfor network segmentation, set
port configurations, configureport settings such as speed,
duplex and port security,implement QoS policies, define
quality of service policies toprioritize traffic, monitor
(06:05):
traffic and diagnose issues.
Run command to check portstatistics, view error logs and
troubleshoot network problems.
Security settings, configureaccess control, mac address
filtering and other securitymeasures.
The choice between theweb-based interface and the CLI
or command line often depends onthe administrator's familiarity
(06:27):
and preferences.
Some network administratorsprefer the convenience of a
graphic web interface, whileothers opt for the command line
interface for more precisecontrol and automation
capabilities.
Managed switches typicallyprovide both options to cater to
the various user preference andrequirements.
(06:50):
Vlans managed switches enablethe creation of virtual LANs.
Vlans allows you to segmentyour network into multiple
virtual networks, enhancingnetwork security and traffic
management.
Let's take a little bit furtherbut deep dive into this.
Network segmentation.
Vlans enable the creation ofisolated logical networks within
(07:11):
a physical networks.
The segmentation enhancesnetwork organization, security
and traffic management.
For example, in a businessnetwork you can have separate
VLANs for different departmentslike HR, finance and IT,
isolating their traffic fromeach other.
Enhanced security by segmentinga network into VLANs you can
(07:34):
improve security.
Devices within the same VLANcan communicate with each other,
but they are prevented fromdirectly communicating with
devices in other VLANs, unlessrouting is configured to allow
it.
This isolation adds a layer ofsecurity and helps prevent
unauthorized access.
Traffic isolation VLAN preventsbroadcast traffic from flooding
the entire network.
(07:54):
Broadcasts are limited to theVLAN in which they originate,
reducing network congestions andimproving performance.
Optimized network traffic VLANsallow network administrators to
prioritize traffic within eachVLAN.
Quality of service settings canbe applied to ensure that
critical applications within aVLAN received a necessary
(08:15):
bandwidth and low latency, evenwhen the network is congested.
Ease of management networkmanagement is simplified when
network segments are based onVLANs.
For instance, changes innetwork configurations and
security policies can be appliedat the VLAN level rather than
affecting the entire network.
Configuring VLANs in a managedswitch involves assigning
(08:38):
specific ports to a particularVLAN.
A managed switch offers theflexibility to configure VLANs
using either a web-based graphicuser interface or a command
line interface.
Here is a basic overview ofconfiguring VLANs on a managed
switch Using a web-basedinterface.
You access the switch web-basedinterface through a web browser
(08:59):
by entering the switch IP andlogging credentials.
You navigate to the VLANconfiguration settings.
They may be level as VLANs orVLAN management or something
similar.
Create VLANs and assignspecific ports to each VLAN.
You can define the VLANs IDnames and other settings.
Apply your changes and theswitch will reconfigure its port
(09:19):
assignments based on your VLANconfigurations Using a command
line interface.
Connect to the switch's commandline using a terminal emulation
program or SSH, slash telnet.
Access the VLAN configurationmode within the command line.
Define VLANs and assign portsto VLANs using command lines.
These commands will specify theVLANs ID names and port
(09:45):
membership.
Save your configurations andthe switch will implement the
changes.
In summary, vlan support inmanaged switches is a crucial
feature for creating segmented,secure and efficiently managed
network.
It allows networkadministrations to tailor
network configurations to thespecific needs of the
(10:05):
organization, improving networkorganizations performance and
security.
Next, let's talk about qualityof service.
Managed switches supportquality of service settings
allowing you to prioritizenetwork traffic.
This is critical for ensuringthat critical applications
receive the necessary bandwidthand low latency, even during
(10:26):
network congestions.
Here are key components andaspects of quality of service.
Traffic prioritization QoSallows network administrations
to assign different levels ofpriority to different types of
network traffic.
This is typically done byclassifying packets into
different traffic classes basedon the characteristics, such as
(10:49):
the type of applicationgenerating traffic.
Traffic classification Networkdevices include managed switches
that can classify networktraffic based on various
criteria, such as source anddestination, ip address, source,
destination, port numbers andapplication signatures.
This classification helps indetermining how packets should
(11:10):
be treated.
Q management Once packets areclassified, they are placed into
specific Qs based on thepriority or service class.
Qs are managed by the switch toensure that higher priority
traffic gets serviced beforelower priority traffic.
Bandwidth allocation Quality ofservice allows for allocation
(11:31):
of specific amounts of bandwidthto prevent traffic classes or
queues.
This ensures that criticaltraffic receives its required
share of available bandwidth.
Traffic shaping Some QoSimplementations include traffic
shaping, which is a mechanismfor controlling the rate at
which traffic is transmitted.
Traffic shaping can preventnetwork congestion and ensure
(11:55):
that traffic adheres to thepredetermined profile.
Congestion controls.
In times of network congestions, qos can help manage and
control traffic to preventnetwork saturation.
This may involve dropping ordelaying lower priority traffic
to ensure that higher priorityapplications continue to
function smoothly.
(12:17):
Video and voice quality QoS iscrucial for real-time
applications like VoIP and videoconferencing.
It ensures that voice and videopackets are prioritized to
minimize latency and jitter,improving the quality of
communication.
Application optimization QoScan be used to optimize the
(12:38):
performance of specificapplications, such as ensuring
low latency for online gamblingor fast response time for
critical business applications.
Security Quality of service canbe employed to improve network
security by controlling the flowof traffic and preventing
certain type of traffic fromconsuming ex-if network
(12:59):
resources.
Qos settings are typicallyconfigured in managed switch.
Through their web-basedgraphical user interface or
command line interface, networkadministration administrators
define policies and rules tomanage traffic based on the
requirements of the network andthe applications running it.
The implementation of QoS cansignificantly enhance the user
(13:20):
experience, particularly innetwork with diverse traffic
profiles.
It ensures that criticalapplications, the services and
networks with diverse trafficprofiles and ensure that
critical applications andservices are not negatively
impacted by non-essential orless sensitive traffic,
contributing to improved networkperformance and user
(13:40):
satisfaction.
The next feature we're going totalk about is security features.
Managed switch offers advancedsecurity features, such as port
level access control, macaddress filtering and the
ability to configure securitypolicies.
These features enhance networksecurity.
Let's start off with portsecurity.
(14:01):
Port security allows you tocontrol which devices can
connect to the specific switchports based on their MAC address
.
You can configure the switch toallow specific MAC address to a
port or preventing or authorizedevices from connecting.
Access control list Accesscontrol list is a list that is
(14:22):
formed by that you could createa used-to-control network
traffic by defining rules thatpermit or deny specific packets
based on the source anddestination, ip address, port
numbers and other criteria.
Acls are powerful tools forsecuring a network by filtering
traffic at the switch level.
Again, mac address filteringmanages, which is support.
(14:44):
Mac address filtering, whichenables you to specify which MAC
address are allowed or denyaccess to the network.
These cells prevent orauthorize access.
802.1 port based authentication.
This feature requires device toauthenticate themselves before
gaining access to the network.
(15:04):
It is commonly used inenterprise where security is a
top priority, such as enterprisenetworks.
Device must provide validcredentials, such as username
and password, before thatgranted access.
Radius authentication remoteauthentication darling user
service is often used inconjunction with 802.1x
(15:25):
authentication to providecentralized authentication,
authorization and accountingservices.
It allows for a higher level ofsecurity by validating user
credentials through a centralserver.
Dynamic ARP inspection helpsprevent ARP DAI or a dynamic ARP
(15:47):
inspection helps prevent ARPaddress resolution protocols
spoofing attack.
It verifies that ARP packetscontain valid IP to MAC address
bindings, reducing the risk fora man of middle attack.
Ip source guard limits IPtraffic on untrusted ports to
(16:08):
only traffic with valid sourceIP address.
This feature helps prevent IPaddress spoofing attacks.
Spatic tree protocol or STPsecurity manage switches often
offer security features relatedto STP, such as root guard and
BPDU or bridge protocol dataunit, which protect against
(16:31):
unauthorized changes in thenetwork topology.
Dhcp snooping is a securityfeature that ensures that only
authorized DHCP servers canassign IP address to the device
on the network.
It helps prevent rogue DHCPservers from distributing
incorrect or malicious IPconfigurations.
Secure management interfacemanage switches allows you to
(16:56):
secure access to the managementinterface, such as web-based GUI
or CLI or command line, withfeatures like SSL and TLS
encryption, secure shell accessand role-based access control.
Vlag segmentation creatingVLANs can also be considered a
security feature, as it isolatesnetwork segments and limits the
(17:16):
communication between devicesin different VLANs.
Event logging and alerts.
Manage switches often offer theability to log security related
events and send alerts toadministrators when suspicious
activities are detected.
They include logging failedauthentication attempts or
unusual traffic patterns.
(17:37):
These security featurescollectively help protect
network infrastructure, data andthe devices connected to the
network.
They are particularly importantfor organizations with
stringent security requirements,such as business, government
agencies and educationalinstitutions, where network
integrity and confidentialityare paramount.
Security features in a managedswitch provide a robust defense
(18:04):
against various network securitythreats and vulnerability.
Next, we have traffic monitoring.
Managed switch provides toolsfor network traffic monitoring
and analysis.
You can track networkperformance, identify
bottlenecks and troubleshootissues effectively.
How do you do that?
By port statistics.
Managed switches providedetailed statistics for each
(18:26):
port, including the number ofpackets transmitted and received
, error counts, bandwidth usageand link status.
Port statistics are valuablefor identifying issues like
network congestions orunderutilized ports.
Traffic analysis trafficanalysis tools within managed
switches can capture and analyzenetwork traffic, providing
(18:48):
insights in the type of packetsand protocols being used.
Disinformation is essential fordiagnosing network issues,
identifying potential securitythreats and optimizing network
performance.
Jumbo frames Some managedswitches support the use of
jumbo frames, which are largerEthernet frames that the
standard size Jumbo frames canreduce the overhead associated
(19:10):
with smaller frames, leading toimproved network efficiency.
Traffic monitoring can helptrack the performance and impact
of jumbo frame usage.
Flow monitoring, often based onprotocols like NetFlow or SFlow
, it tracks the flow of databetween devices and provides
detailed information on datasources, destinations and
(19:30):
communication patterns.
Flow data is available foridentifying network congestion,
unusual behavior and bandwidthintensive applications.
Traffic prioritization managedswitches with quality of service
capabilities can monitortraffic and prioritize packets
according to configured QoSrules.
(19:51):
This ensures that criticalapplications receive necessary
bandwidth and low latency.
Security analysis Trafficmonitoring can be used to detect
suspicious on or authorizednetwork activities.
By analyzing traffic patterns,network administrators can
identify anomalies and potentialsecurity threats, such as
unusual data transfer orunauthorized access attempts.
(20:13):
Historical data Managedswitches often maintain
historical data and logs ofnetwork activity.
This historical data isessential for tracking trends,
identifying recurring issues andtroubleshooting intermittent
problems.
Real-time alerts Some managedswitches support real-time
alerts and notifications basedon specific events or thresholds
(20:35):
.
Network administrators canconfigure alerts to inform them
of critical network conditionssuch as link failures and
traffic spikes.
Bad utilization Trafficmonitoring helps administrators
track how network bandwidth isbeing used.
Disinformation is available foroptimizing network resources
and planning for capacityupgrades.
(20:57):
Troubleshooting when networkissues arrive.
Traffic monitoring tools assistin diagnostic problems and
identifying their root cause.
By examining traffic patterns,administrator can pinpoint
bottlenecks, misconfigurationsof performance-related issues.
Managed switches often arrangetools and capabilities for
(21:18):
traffic monitoring and thespecific features available may
vary depending on the switchmodel and the manufacturer.
Network administrators can usethese features to proactively
manage and optimize networkperformance, maintain network
security and ensure that thenetwork meets the requirements
of all different applicationsand services.
(21:42):
Now let's take a look at thepros and cons of having a
managed switch.
The pros control right.
Managed switch offers extensivecontrol over network settings.
Network administrators canconfigure VLANs, qos and
security measures.
You also have port control,quality of service control,
security control, trafficmonitoring analysis, your
(22:03):
spanning tree control, accesscontrol, virtualization and
segmentation.
Administrator have control ofcreating, configuring and
managing virtualized networkenvironments through VLAN.
The firmware and softwarecontrol manage switches often
allow administrators to controlthe firmware or the software
running on the switch.
This includes checking forupdates, which is a good thing
(22:26):
that you need to do.
Right, that's our very firstepisode.
Right Updating on devices.
Also, traffic shaping andbandwidth control and logging
and events and alerts I'm sorry,the level control provided by
Managed Switch gives the networkadministrator the flexibility
to tailor network needs.
(22:47):
This controls particularlybeneficial in complex network
environments.
Next, scalability is another proRight.
These switches are highlyscalable and can adapt to
growing network needs.
You can expand your network byadding more Managed Switches and
configuring them to worktogether.
You have port scalability,stacking.
(23:07):
Managed Switches supportstacking, which is a practice of
physically interconnectingmultiple switches to create a
single logical switch entity.
This enhances scalability byallowing you to manage multiple
switch as a unified system.
Stacking simplifies networkexpansion because you can add
more switches to stack,increasing port count and
(23:29):
capability.
Again, vlan scalability, trafficparallelization, secure
scalability, advanced featuresmanaged switches often price
advanced features such as levelthree routing capabilities Right
, so you turn your switch to alevel three switch.
These features are scalable inenabling the switch to perform
(23:52):
routing between multiple VLANsor support more complex network
configurations as the networkexpands.
Then power over Ethernetscalability PoE capable managed
switches can power networkconnected devices such as IP
phones, wireless access pointsand security cameras.
Scalability is the contextmeans.
(24:13):
In this context means you canadd more PoE devices to the
network by expanding the numberof PoE ports on the switch.
Scalability is essential forensuring that your network can
accommodate the growth ofdevices, applications and
services over time and withoutundergoing a disruptive network
overhaul.
Managed switches are designedwith capability in mind,
(24:35):
providing the flexibility andfeatures necessary to expand
your network infrastructure.
This scalability is especiallyvaluable for business and
enterprise experience growth orplanning for future expansion.
Network optimization with QoSand traffic monitoring
capabilities managed switch helpoptimize network performance.
(24:55):
They ensure that the criticalapplications run smoothly and
effective.
Managed network traffic Again,right quality of service.
Traffic management.
You have low balancing.
In network with high trafficloads, low balancing distributes
network traffic across multiplepaths or links, improving
(25:16):
network efficiency andpreventing congestions.
Managed switch can beconfigured to support low
balancing to optimizeperformance.
You also have jumble framesagain, monitoring analysis,
redundancy and failover.
Network optimization ofteninvolves implementing redundancy
and failover mechanism.
Managed switch support featureslike rapid spanning tree and
(25:39):
link aggregation to ensurenetwork continuity and, in case
of link or switch failures.
Energy efficiency some managedswitch are designed with energy
efficiency features, such asability to put unused ports or
devices into low power states.
Optimizing energy usage reducesthe operational costs and
(25:59):
minimize the environmentfootprint of the network.
And security optimization byimplementing security features
on managed switch, you protectthe network from vulnerabilities
and threats, ultimatelycontributing to optimized
network performance.
You have latency reduction.
Managing and optimizing thenetwork infrastructure,
(26:21):
including reducing the number ofnetwork cops, helps maintain
latency.
Low latency networks arecritical for real time
applications and services.
Bandwidth allocation managedswitches enable administrators
to allocate bandwidth Based onthe application agency
requirements.
This help optimize networkperformance by ensuring the
bandwidth hungry application donot impact the performance of
(26:44):
other switches, of otherservices and scaling network
resources, and provide theflexibility to scale network
resources as the organizationgrows.
The scalability is essentialfor ensuring that the network
can handle increased demandswithout a significant decrease
in performance.
Network optimization is anongoing process that requires
(27:06):
continuously monitoringadjustment to adapt to changing
network conditions, applicationsand user requirements and
ensure that the network operatesat peak efficiency, providing a
seamless and high qualityexperience for users by
supporting the organization'sgoal and objectives.
Another problem is security.
(27:27):
Advanced security features likeport level access control and
MAC address filtering improvenetwork security, making managed
switches suitable for businesswith strict security
requirements.
You have access control.
You have port security accesscontrol list.
You have VLANs, mac address,802.1, secure management
(27:48):
features, firmware softwaresecurity, monitoring, physical
security, radius, dynamic ARP,ip source guard.
These security measures help toprotect the network
infrastructure, data and deviceconnected to the network.
They're especially importantfor business, businesses,
organizations and institutionswith strict security
(28:11):
requirements, when networkintegrity and confidentiality
are critical.
Implementing these securityfeatures on managed switch can
help safeguard the networkagainst various threats and
vulnerabilities.
Now here are the cons.
We just talked about the prosof having a managed switch.
Let's talk about the consComplexity the increased
(28:32):
configurability of managedswitches also means they can be
more complex to set up andmaintain.
This requires skilled networkadministrators with the
knowledge of network concepts,which also means you gotta pay
them.
They have advanced features.
Configuration right theconfiguration management switch
involves a multitude of settingsand parameters and may vary
(28:54):
depending on the specific switchmodel and manufacturer.
Properly configuring VLANs, qospolicies, security settings and
routing can be complex.
That requires careful planningand execution.
A managed switch typicallyprovides web-based and
command-line interfaces forconfiguration and management.
Learning how to navigate andutilizing these interfaces
(29:17):
effectively can take time,especially for those new to
network administration.
Troubleshooting, diagnostic andresolving network issues on
managed switch can be complex.
Administrators need tounderstand how to interpret
error logs, monitor networktraffic and use diagnostic tools
efficiently to pinpoint theproblem.
Security configurationsfeatures on managed switch, such
(29:41):
as access control.
Poor security and ACLs requirecareful configuration to protect
network from threats.
Misconfigurations can haveserious security implications,
making proper setup essential orcomplex.
Interoperability and largernetwork environment.
Integrating multiple managedswitch and ensuring that they
(30:02):
work seamlessly can be complex.
Compatibility, blanconfigurations and routing
settings all need to becoordinated Documentation
keeping comprehensivedocumentation of which
configuration and networktopologies is critical and can
be complex In large, dynamicnetworks.
Accurate records are essentialfor troubleshooting and
(30:25):
maintaining network interface.
Being in skill set, networkadministrators responsible for
managing managed switches mustacquire the knowledge and skills
required to handle thecomplexities involved.
This often includes formaltraining, certification and
ongoing education.
While managed switch offerspowerful tools and capabilities,
(30:48):
the complexity means they aretypically best suited for
organizations with experiencednetwork administrators well well
versed in networking principles.
For organizations or those withless experienced IT staff might
find a learning curveassociated with managed switches
to be steep.
In such cases, hiring orconsulting with network experts
(31:09):
can be a valuable solution.
To ensure proper configurationand management Costs.
Managed switch are typicallymore expensive than unmanaged
switch, both in terms of initialinvestment and the ongoing
maintenance.
This can be a drawback forsmaller companies with tighter
budgets.
(31:29):
Brand and manufacturerwell-known networking equipment
manufacturers such as Cisco, hpand Aruba tend to offer premium
price managed switches.
Lesson on generic brands mightprovide more cost-effective
options.
Model and port count this thespecific model of the managed
switch and the number of portsthat offer significantly
(31:51):
effective costs.
Smaller switches with fewerports are generally less
expensive than the largerhigh-port count switches.
Port speeds and types managedswitches come from a range of
port speeds 1 gig, 10 gigabytes,40 gigabytes per second, 100,
and different types copper orfiber.
The speed and type of ports youwould need would impact the
(32:13):
price.
Advanced features managedswitches offer various features.
Switches are more with moreadvanced features tend to be
more expensive.
If you want to do stacking,some managed switches support
stacking, which allows multipleswitches to be managed in single
entity.
That also can add to the cost.
Relentlessly and highavailability features like
(32:35):
features like redundancyprotocols and failover
mechanisms tend to be moreexpensive.
Management interfaces switcheswith user-friendly web-based
graphic user interface andcomprehensive management
capability might charge a morepremium price.
Certifications and compliancewhich is designed for specific
(32:56):
industry standards, such asthose needed for government or
highly regulated environment,can be more costly due to the
rigorous testing andcertification processes that you
need to have Warranty andsupport the link.
In terms of the warranty, aswell as availability of support
and service contract, caninfluence the overall cost of
the managed switch.
(33:17):
You have also used orrefurbished options.
If a cost is significantconcern, you might want to
consider used or refurbishedmanaged switches.
These can offer cost savings,but it's important to ensure
that equipment is in goodworking conditions and supported
(33:37):
by the manufacturer.
In general, the price range formanaged switch can vary from a
few hundred dollars for smallbasic models with limited
reports to several thousanddollars for high-end enterprise
gray switches with numerousadvanced features and
capabilities.
When selecting a managed switch, it's important to consider
your organization's specificnetwork requirements, such as
(34:00):
number of devices to beconnected, the need for advanced
features and the budgetavailable.
Careful consideration of thesefactors will help you choose a
managed switch that provides thedesired functionality and a
cost that aligns with yourbudget.
The last con is the learningcurve.
Using the advanced features ofmanaged switch can have a steep
(34:22):
learning curve.
Network administrators need toinvest time in understanding and
configuring these switchesproperly.
Network experience yourexisting knowledge and
experience in networking play asignificant role in the learning
curve.
Network administrators with abackground in networking may
find it easier to adapt tomanaged switch, while those new
to networking may experience asteeper learning curve.
(34:45):
Switch complexity the complexityof a managed switch can vary
widely.
Some managed switch are relatedto straightforward and often
basic features, while others aremore sophisticated with
advanced capabilities like daythree routing, v-line management
and so on.
The more complex the switch,the steeper the learning curve
(35:05):
is going to be.
User interface the switch userinterface can greatly impact the
learning curve.
Managed switch typicallyoffered web-based GUIs or
command line interface.
A user friendly GUI may beeasier for beginners, while
network experts might prefer thecommand lines for their
flexibility.
Training and resources accessto training material and
(35:28):
documentation that supportresources can significantly
impact your learning experience.
Network manufacturers offer acomprehensive documentation.
Online courses andcertification programs help
users become proficient withtheir managed switches.
Network size and complexity thesize and complexity of the
network you are managing withthe switch also contributes to
(35:49):
the learning curve.
Larger and more complex networkoffering more intricate
configurations andtroubleshooting scenarios.
Specific requirements of yourorganization and network can
affect the learning curve.
If your network requiresparticular features or security
measures, you may need to learnhow to configure and manage them
on the switch.
To minimize the learning curvewhen working with the managed
(36:13):
switch.
Start with the basics.
Use available resources,training and certifications.
Consider former training andcertification programs related
to managed switch.
You are using Practice in a labenvironment.
You can set up a labenvironment where you experiment
with switch configurations.
These hands-on practice canreaffirm your learning.
(36:34):
Peer and expert support connectwith peers and experts in the
field for advice, guidance andproblem solving.
Gradual implementation If youare responsible for production
network, consider making gradualchanges and configurations to
avoid unexpected disruption.
Implementing changesincrementally allow you to learn
(36:56):
and adapt.
Remember the learning curve isa natural part of requiring new
skills and knowledge.
It can be managed effectivelywith time, dedication and the
right resources.
As you gain experience andconfidence working with managed
switches, you become morefamiliar and you can be better
to optimize and manage yournetwork efficiently.
(37:17):
So that's going to be it, guys,on this on network resource
managed switches.
I want to thank you for yourtime today and you got two for
two you know, the same week.
(37:38):
So consider yourselves lucky orme lazy, whichever one you want
to think of, but I thank youand until next time.
We'll see you then.
Bye, bye, bye, bye.
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