A network switch is a box that you connect to your router to gain more Ethernet ports. Think of it as functioning like a USB hub but for networking.
In the most basic networks, devices are connected with hubs. But there’s a limit to the amount of bandwidth users can share on a hub-based network. A switch avoids these and other limitations of hub networks.
Generally, if you want to connect all network devices and client services in a network, a Layer 2 switch is one of the basic devices that you need. As the diversity if network applications increases and the implementation of converged networks grow, new network switch, such as Layer 3 switch, are thriving in both data centres, complicated enterprise networks, commercial applications, and even advanced customer projects
Managed switches give you more control over your LAN traffic and offer advanced features to control that traffic. An unmanaged switch simply allows Ethernet devices to communicate with one another, such as a PC or network printer, and those are typically what we call “plug and play”
