How to Choose a Network Switch in Kenya

Choosing a network switch comes down to four questions: how many devices you need to connect, whether they need power, what speed you require, and whether you need management features.

Step 1: Count your devices

Start with the number of devices that will plug into the switch. A 5 or 8 port switch suits a home or small office, while 16, 24 and 48 port switches suit growing offices, hotels and schools.

Step 2: Decide on PoE

Power over Ethernet delivers power and data over one cable. You need PoE if you are connecting CCTV cameras, WiFi access points or VoIP phones.

Step 3: Match speed

Gigabit is the modern standard. Choose 2.5G or 10G switches for high-performance workstations, servers and aggregation.

Step 4: Choose management

Choose unmanaged for plug-and-play, and managed when you need VLANs, QoS or monitoring.

Use our Switch Finder to get a recommendation based on your exact requirements.