Switches - Unmanaged

A network switch, also called an Ethernet switch, is a piece of networking hardware that’s built to handle wired traffic between Ethernet-compatible devices in your home or office. One of the main reasons these bits of networking tech exist is because of limited Ethernet ports on modern routers or modem-router. A network switch connects to a router via Ethernet and, once connected, effectively expands the number of Ethernet-compatible devices you can use on your home network.

Generally, routers and modem-routers tend to have four Ethernet ports to connect to devices in the home or office. That may sound like plenty, but it’s not a lot if you want to connect as many Ethernet devices as possible with a wired network connection. This is where a network switch can help.

These days, there are plenty of Ethernet-compatible devices. Computers, Laptops, gaming consoles (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch), smart TVs, WiFi extenders, network-attached storage (NAS) drives and set-top boxes. WiFi is fast for most online tasks but WiFi connections are prone to interference and speed degradation over distance, not to mention wireless black spots that can make internet unbearably slow or increasingly unreliable. This is where a network switch can help.