Managed Switches

46 products

Managed Switches for Complete Network Control

Managed switches give you granular control over every port and packet on your network. Island Electrical Supply stocks Layer 2 and Layer 3 managed switches from Ubiquiti, HPE, Cisco, TP-Link, and D-Link.

Best for: IT administrators who need VLAN segmentation, QoS traffic shaping, port monitoring, and centralized management across their network.

Layer 2 vs. Layer 3 Managed Switches

Layer 2 managed switches handle VLAN configuration, spanning tree, link aggregation, and port-level controls. Layer 3 managed switches add inter-VLAN routing, static routes, and DHCP relay, reducing your dependence on a central router. Choose Layer 3 when you have multiple VLANs that need to communicate without routing through a firewall.

Key Management Features

Look for these capabilities when comparing managed switches:

  • VLANs: segment your network for security and performance
  • QoS: prioritize voice and video traffic
  • SNMP: monitor switch health and port statistics remotely
  • Port mirroring: capture traffic for troubleshooting and analysis

Related Switch Types

Qualifying orders ship free. Contact our team for expert guidance and volume pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with a managed switch that I cannot do with an unmanaged switch?

A managed switch lets you create VLANs to segment traffic, set QoS rules to prioritize voice and video, configure link aggregation for higher throughput between switches, enable spanning tree to prevent loops, use port mirroring for troubleshooting, and monitor the switch remotely via SNMP or a web interface.

What is the difference between a Layer 2 and Layer 3 switch?

A Layer 2 switch forwards traffic based on MAC addresses and handles VLANs, spanning tree, and link aggregation. A Layer 3 switch adds IP routing, so it can route traffic between VLANs without sending it through a separate router or firewall. Layer 3 switches are common in campus core and distribution layers.

Do I need a managed switch for a small office?

Small offices with under 10 devices and no VLANs can use an unmanaged switch. However, if you need to separate guest WiFi from internal traffic, prioritize VoIP calls, or monitor network usage, a managed switch is recommended even for small environments.