A switch is used in a wired network to connect to other devices using Ethernet cables. The switch allows each connected device to talk to the others. Wireless-only networks do not use switches because devices such as wireless routers and adapters communicate directly with one another.
Although you can use the ports on the back of a router or modem to connect a few Ethernet devices together, switches offer a number of advantages:
- Switches allow you to connect dozens of devices.
- Switches keep traffic between two devices from getting in the way of your other devices on the same network.
- Switches allow you to control who has access to various parts of the network.
- Switches allow you to monitor usage.
- Switches allow communication (within your network) that's even faster than the Internet.
- High-end switches can be tailored to your network needs with pluggable modules.
Switch model numbers
You can read a NETGEAR switch’s capabilities from its model number:
- First is the switch’s Ethernet capability:
- FS: Fast Ethernet.
- GS or JGS: Gigabit Ethernet.
- GSS: Gigabit Ethernet ClickSwitch.
- MS: Multigigabit Ethernet (5-speed).
- XS: 10-Gigabit Ethernet.
- Next, on Fully Managed Switches, is an “M” meaning the switch is fully managed.
- Next is the switch series:
- 1: Desktop (ProSAFE, Insight)
- 2: Desktop Essentials (Plastic)
- 3: Desktop Essentials (Metal)
- 4: Easy-Mount.
- 5: Desktop/Rackmount (13”)
- 6: Desktop SOHO (Plastic)
- 7: Rackmount (17”)
- 8: Nighthawk Pro Gaming (Desktop)
- 9: Desktop Lifestyle (Plastic)
- Next is the number of ports on the switch.
- After the number of ports:
- E: Smart Managed Plus.
- T: Smart Managed Pro.
- M: Multigigabit Ethernet (5-speed) uplink ports.
- X: 10-Gigabit uplinks.
- P: Power over Ethernet (PoE) capability. This may be preceded by an L (lo)) or P (standard or high) indicating how much power is available for connected devices.
- S: The switch is stackable and can be added to a group of switches controlled by one switch.
For example, “GS908E” indicates the switch is a Smart Managed Plus Switch (E) from the Desktop Lifestyle switch series (9) with Gigabit Ethernet (GS) and 8 ports (08).
For more information about stacking, visit What is stacking, which smart switches support it, and what are the functionalities of stacking?.
Help choosing a switch
NETGEAR offers different switches to meet different customer needs. For more information, visit Which NETGEAR switch is right for me?.
N101528.asp Aug. 25, 2005--Rev 2 Feb 2014