Network Switches

Compare unmanaged, managed, PoE and core switches and what to specify, then get quotes from suppliers for your network.

Tell us what you need. Our team finds suppliers, checks availability and gets you quotes, usually within one working day.

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What your quote should include

Unmanaged switch — plug-and-play with no configuration. Fine for small offices, labs and CCTV links.
Smart or web-managed switch — basic VLANs and monitoring through a web page, at moderate complexity.
Managed switch — full control: VLANs, QoS, security and monitoring. For larger organisations.
PoE switch — powers IP cameras, Wi-Fi access points and phones over the network cable.
Layer 3 or core switch — routes between VLANs and aggregates other switches in the building.
Industrial switch — rugged, for factories and outdoor cabinets.

Number of ports and speed: gigabit is standard, with 10G uplinks for backbone links.
PoE budget in watts, not just PoE support, so it can power all connected devices.
Switching capacity, uplink ports (SFP or SFP+), and rack-mount or desktop form.
Management features such as VLAN, port security and SNMP monitoring.
Cabling quality and structured layout: Cat6 is a common choice for new installations.
Warranty length, replacement terms, OEM authorisation and GST invoice.

Common brands include Cisco, TP-Link, D-Link, Netgear and HPE Aruba.

Offices, schools and colleges, hospitals, factories, hotels, CCTV installers, data rooms and government departments.

Count every device that needs a wired connection, then add 20 to 30 percent spare for growth. Choose 24 or 48 ports for larger floors.

If you are installing IP cameras or ceiling Wi-Fi points, yes, as it avoids separate power cabling. Check the total PoE budget.

Unmanaged suits a simple network. Choose managed if you need separate VLANs for guests, CCTV and staff, or want monitoring.