How to Choose the Best 10 Gigabit Switch for Home?
As the popularity of 10 Gigabit Ethernet grows and the price of 10 Gigabit devices drops, more and more individual home users, such as technology enthusiasts, gamers, and professional video editors, have deployed 10G switches on their home networks. This article focuses on why 10 Gigabit switches are needed for home networks, and how to choose the best 10 Gigabit switch for home.
Why is 10 Gigabit Switch Needed for Home?
A 10 Gigabit Ethernet switch is necessary for home users to meet a specific network requirement. For example, a 10G Ethernet switch can meet video editors' greater demand for transmission speed and LAN storage. They can use a 10 Gigabit switch to connect the main PC and NAS (Network Attached Storage), then the video storage space is converted from PC storage to NAS storage. In addition, the security of data and the convenience of external network access is also improved.
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Common Types of 10 Gigabit Switch for Home
10G PoE Switch
10G PoE Switches have multiple Ethernet ports that can be used to connect other devices, such as VoIP phones, wireless access points, and IP cameras. The switch is responsible for providing power to the connected devices, eliminating the need for separate power cables.
" Also check - Unlocking the Secrets of PoE Switches — A Complete Guide
10G SFP+ Switch
10G SFP+ Switches 10G SFP+ switch offers superior performance in network latency and throughput, supporting high speeds of up to 10Gbps per SFP+ port. 10G SFP+ switches are becoming very popular choices for latency-sensitive applications. It can be connected using fiber optic cables or DAC/AOC cables, etc. For LAN networks that require ultra-low latency and large bandwidth, a 10G SFP+ switch can be a suitable choice.
10GBASE-T Switch
10GBASE-T switches can be connected directly using copper cables, which makes it a very cost-effective solution for addressing LAN bottleneck problems and creating great ROI and performance. It is also fully backward compatible with 100/1000BASE-T and works with existing structured cabling systems, providing IT technicians the most flexibility in server placement.
Six Considerations When Choosing a 10 Gigabit Switch for Home
To make sure the 10G Ethernet switch that you choose is suitable for your home network, you need to consider the following aspects of 10 Gigabit switches.
Switch Ports
There are two main port types of 10G network switches, copper ports and optical ports. The copper ports on a 10 Gigabit switch support Ethernet cables like Cat6 for data transmission, but the distance is limited to 100m (330ft). If your legacy network uses Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cables to transmit data, it's a good choice to buy a 10GBase-T network switch. You can continue to use the existing cables to achieve a 10G transmission.
" Also check - Get Further Understanding of Ethernet Switch Port Types
But if you decide to upgrade to 10G fiber networks, buying a 10G SFP+ network switch is better. The optical ports on the 10 Gigabit switch can be inserted with SFP+ transceivers and fiber optic cables, which helps lower latency and power consumption.
In addition, you should figure out how many of your home devices need to be connected to the 10 Gigabit switch. Usually, a 24-port 10GbE switch can satisfy the needs of most home users.
" Also check - FS S5850-24S2Q, 24-Port Ethernet Layer 3 10G Switch
Network Deployment Cost
The network deployment cost depends on whether you use the 10GBASE-T switch or the 10GbE SFP+ switch. For the home network, if you choose a 10GBASE-T switch, the conventional Cat6 Ethernet cable will make it with ease. If you choose a 10GbE SFP+ switch, you need to prepare dedicated SFP+ modules and optical fibers. Note that one optical fiber requires two SFP+ modules. If you buy a home-use 10GbE SFP+ switch, you also need to pay for SFP+ transceivers, which will further increase the cost of 10G network deployment.
" Also check - FS S5860-20SQ, 24-Port Ethernet Layer 3 10Gb Switch
Managed or Unmanaged
An unmanaged 10G switch is a plug-and-play device that comes with a fixed configuration that cannot be changed. It is easy to use and suitable for home users who just want to set up a 10G network and don’t want to worry about its management.
In contrast, a managed 10G switch is more complex and allows users to change settings. It also requires skills to set up and maintain. Users can disable unused ports, limit access to their network, limit speed, prioritize traffic, adjust parameters, etc.
" Also check - FS S5800-48T4S, 48-Port Ethernet Layer 3 10G Switch
Even if all your home devices are active simultaneously, clogged traffic will not be a problem. And the 10G switches with features such as IPv6 ACL(Access Control List) can help increase your home network security, making it possible for controlling switch port access for each network user individually.
PoE or Non-PoE
If you're planning to install IP Phones, security cameras, and more in your home, then 10G PoE switch will be a great option. The PoE technology can support power and data transmission over the same network cables, while a Non-PoE 10GbE switch can not make it. Besides, the 10G PoE switch delivers great flexibility, allowing you to easily place endpoints anywhere in your home without considering the power outlet.
" Also check - S5850-48S6Q, 48-Port Ethernet Layer 3 10G Switch
Smart Fans
To select a 10 Gigabit switch for home use, you also need to consider the smart fan design. This functional design not only guarantees superior cooling performance, and power reduction, but also creates a quiet environment for you and your family. No need to worry that a 10 Gigabit switch with smart fans will make noises and disrupt your home environment.
Conclusion
Nowadays, there are so many data and applications running on our home networks, and traffic will continue to grow definitely. Using a 10 Gigabit switch to build a 10G home network is becoming more and more popular. You need to consider your current needs and the above-mentioned points if you want to select the best 10G switch for your home network.
