Which is the Best Network Switch - Managed Switch VS Unmanaged Switch?


The local area Ethernet networks use various networking hardware to ensure the connectivity of devices. The network switch is the most important among them because they act as a brain of the network and help connect the devices on a particular Local Area Network (LAN) effectively. These switches receive a message from a target source and they forward it to the intended device, thereby ensuring an effective data transmission between devices on a LAN. Owing to their increasing importance, today, they are designed in various specifications and configurations. They are sometimes differentiated based on their ports or materials, or other factors. In spite of all these, they mainly belong to two categories – managed and unmanaged switches. How do these switches differ? What is the right switch for your application? Read the post to know the answers. 

Difference between managed and unmanaged switch

What are the Key Differences Between Managed vs Unmanaged Switches?

As the name suggests, one of the key differences between a managed and unmanaged switch lies in its approach. A managed network switch provides flexibility to the network administrator to control, manage, and prioritize the LAN traffic. However, an unmanaged switch works like a plug-and-play switch which allows devices on the LAN to communicate with each other, without user intervention. The following points will help you understand other key points between these two network switches:

  • Freedom of Configuration:

    The managed switches allow users to manage, configure, as well as monitor the LAN. They allow users to create new LANs and segregate smaller devices and help users manage the traffic effectively. Managed network switches come with advanced features that allow users to recover data in the event of failure of the device or network. They also allow data recovery.

    Unmanaged switches may be easy to use, but they come with a fixed configuration, which means you cannot make changes to the networks. This is why it is most commonly used for startup businesses having limited data exchange.

  • Performance Management:

    Unmanaged network switches are the plug and play type switches. They have built-in QoS services, which ensure their easy setup and utility. However, the managed network switches allow you to manage the performance by prioritizing the channels. It utilizes protocols such as Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) to monitor the ethernet network the performance of all devices connected on the LAN. The managed switch also uses SNMP to analyze the current performance of devices on the network through an easy-to-understand graphical interface. Additionally, SNMP also enables remote management of the connected devices and network, without requiring a physical intervention on the switch.
  • Security Features:

    Unmanaged switches have basic security features such as a lockable port cover that ensures basic security, and helps avoid any type of direct tampering on the device. However, managed network switches are equipped with advanced features that help identify active threats and shut them down on time, and protect data and control.
  • Costs:

    The unmanaged network switches are available in affordable price ranges, whereas the managed switches are available in higher price ranges owing to their advanced features. To get the basic idea about the cost of industrial PoE switches, fiber switches, ethernet switches visit Versitron

How to Choose Between the Managed and Unmanaged Network Switch?

By now, you might have realized the importance of choosing the right network switch that meets the requirements of your IT scope. However, the following pointers will help you make the right decision:

  • Scalability: Is the business and the network expected to grow in the future? If yes, perhaps, you may need a couple of managed network switches that are manually configurable and allow scalability.
  • Performance and Speed: If you are a startup business, and wish to minimize the upfront investments, then the unmanaged switch is a better option. However, if you have to transfer a large amount of data on a regular basis then managed switches can do justice.
  • Security: Although limited data is being transferred across the network, the information may be sensitive, and you do not want it to be tampered. In this case, managed switches are the best option.
Features Managed Switches Unmanaged Switches
Control Managed switches provides flexibility to the network administrator Unmanaged switches works like a plug and play switch
Security Provides extensive set of security features Provides basic set of security features
Configuration Managed network switch has advanced features which allows users to manage, configure, and monitor Unmanaged network switch comes with fixed configuration 
Performance Monitoring Uses (SNMP) to monitor the performance Built-in QoS services
Cost More Expensive Less Expensive

Which is better Managed or Unmanaged Switch?

The information provided in this post will help you understand the key benefits of managed and unmanaged network switches and also help in decision making. After knowing this, it is important to source them from a trusted brand. Versitron provides unmanaged and managed fiber optic network switches in various configurations. To get more information about managed and unmanaged switches, Feel free to reach out throgh contact us page.


Managed Commercial Grade Switches
Model Product Name Copper Ports Copper Speed Fiber Ports
(SFP Slots)
Fiber Speed Connector Type
SG70660M 6-Port Managed Switch 6 10/100/1000 1 100 LC
S70850M 8-Port Managed Switch 7 10/100 1 100 LC
SG72860M 28-Port Managed Switch 24 10/100/1000 4 100/1G LC
SGX72870M 28-Port Managed 10G Switch 24 10/100/1000 4 1G/10G LC
SGX75270M 52-Port Managed 10G Switch 48 10/100/1000 4 1G/10G LC


Unmanaged Commercial Grade Switches
Model Product Name Copper Ports Copper Speed Fiber Ports
(SFP Slots)
Fiber Speed Connector Type
SG70460 4-Port Unmanaged Switch 2 10/100/1000 2 1G LC
SG70660 6-Port Unmanaged Switch 4 10/100/1000 2 1G LC


Unmanaged Industrial Grade Switches
Model Product Name Copper Ports Copper Speed Fiber Ports
(SFP Slots)
Fiber Speed Connector Type
SF70460 4-Port Unmanaged Industrial Switch 2 10/100/1000 2 100/1G LC
SF70660 6-Port Unmanaged Industrial Switch 4 10/100/1000 2 100/1G LC
SF70760 7-Port Unmanaged Industrial Switch 6 10/100/1000 1 100/1G LC
SF70960 9-Port Unmanaged Industrial Switch 8 10/100/1000 1 100/1G LC
SF71060 10-Port Unmanaged Industrial Switch 8 10/100/1000 2 100/1G LC


Managed Industrial Grade Switches
Model Product Name Copper Ports Copper Speed Fiber Ports
(MM, SFP Slots)
Fiber Speed Connector Type
SF70460M 4-Port Managed Industrial Switch 2 10/100/1000 2 100/1G LC
SF70760M 7-Port Managed Industrial Switch 6 10/100/1000 1 100/1G LC
SF71060MA 10-Port Managed Industrial Switch 8 10/100/1000 2 100/1G LC
SF71053M2 10-Port Managed Industrial 10/100 Switch 8 10/100 2 MM 100 ST
SF72860M 28-Port Managed Industrial Switch 24 10/100/1000 4 1G LC


Managed Industrial Grade PoE/PoE+ Switches
Model Product Name Copper Ports Copper Speed Fiber Ports
(SFP Slots)
Fiber Speed Connector Type
SF70460MP 4-Port Managed Industrial PoE/PoE+ Switch 2 10/100/1000 2 100/1G LC
SF70760MP 7-Port Managed Industrial PoE/PoE+ Switch 6 10/100/1000 1 100/1G LC
SF71060MPA 10-Port Managed Industrial PoE/PoE+ Switch 8 10/100/1000 2 100/1G LC
SF71860MP 18-Port Managed Industrial PoE/PoE+ Switch 16 10/100/1000 2 100/1G LC


Managed Commercial Grade PoE/PoE+ Switches
Model Product Name Copper Ports Copper Speed Fiber Ports
(SFP Slots)
Fiber Speed Connector Type
SG71060MPB 10-Port Managed PoE/PoE+ Switch 8 10/100/1000 2 100/1G LC
SG72060MP 20-Port Managed PoE/PoE+ Switch 16 10/100/1000 4 100/1G LC
SGX72870MP 28-Port Managed PoE/PoE+ Switch 24 10/100/1000 4 1G/10G LC
SGX75270MP 52-Port Managed PoE/PoE+ Switch 48 10/100/1000 4 1G/10G LC



Rich Tull

R.W. Tull is the President of Versitron Inc. He works closely with clients to review layout diagrams and drawings in order to ensure that the best fiber optic solution is achieved for a particular project.

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