Managed switches - These are ones which allow access to one or more interfaces for the purpose of configuration or management of features such as Spanning Tree Protocol, Broadcast Storm protection, Multicast Packets, etc. Switches may provide a serial console and command-line access via telnet and Secure Shell, as well as management via SNMP. The task of managing usually requires understanding of Layer 2 networks

Smart switches - These are managed switches with a limited set of features. Likewise "web-managed" switches are switches which fall in a market niche between unmanaged and managed. For a price much lower than a fully managed switch they provide a web interface (and usually no CLI access) and allow configuration of basic settings, such as VLANs, port-speed and duplex.

Unmanaged switches - An unmanaged switch is a very simple device, you take it out of the box, plug it in and connect your Ethernet cables. No configuration is required.

Managed Switch

• If you want to track traffic usage and monitor network devices for conditions
• If you want to create loop-free and redundant path
• You can get configuration done much faster by CLI (Command Line Interface)
• In addition to providing all functions of Web Smart switch, Managed switch also provides more advanced features such as STP (Spanning Tree Protocol), Access Control security, etc.

Web Smart Switch

• If you want to isolate different department traffic, ex. Sales and Finance Dept.
• If you want the QoS (Quality of Service) to prioritize real time applications like VoIP or IPTV.
• Simple and user friendly web interface

Unmanaged Switch

• No configuration required
• No management needed
• Plug and Play

Best regards,
The LevelOne Marketing Team (UK)  
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