Network switches are fundamental networking devices used in computer networks to connect devices and facilitate communication within a local area network (LAN). These switches operate at Layer 2 (Data Link layer) or Layer 3 (Network layer) of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model and play a vital role in managing and directing network traffic efficiently.

Functionality of Network Switches:

1. Traffic Routing and Switching: Network switches receive data packets from connected devices and determine the destination address of each packet. They use this information to forward packets only to the specific device(s) for which the data is intended, rather than broadcasting it to all devices on the network, as in the case of hubs. This efficient routing of data helps minimize network congestion and enhances overall network performance.

2. Packet Forwarding and Switching: Upon receiving data packets, switches use MAC (Media Access Control) addresses to create and maintain a table called a MAC address table or CAM (Content Addressable Memory) table. This table maps MAC addresses to the physical ports on the switch, allowing the switch to quickly identify the appropriate port to forward incoming packets. As a result, switches make data transmission more targeted and efficient.

3. Segmentation and VLANs (Virtual LANs): Switches allow network segmentation by dividing a single physical network into multiple logical segments or VLANs. VLANs help isolate traffic, improve security, and optimize network performance by keeping different types of traffic separate.

4. Improving Network Performance: By providing dedicated bandwidth between devices on the network, switches enhance network performance compared to shared environments like hubs. This ensures that network resources are efficiently utilized, reducing collisions and improving data transfer speeds.

5. Supporting Full Duplex Communication: Most modern switches support full-duplex communication, allowing devices to send and receive data simultaneously at the maximum possible speed. This feature enhances the efficiency of network connections.

6. Quality of Service (QoS) Management: Advanced switches offer QoS features, enabling prioritization of specific types of traffic (such as voice or video data) to ensure optimal performance for critical applications.

7. Security Features: Switches may have security functionalities like port security, MAC address filtering, and access control lists (ACLs) to control access to the network and protect against unauthorized access or attacks.

In summary, network switches are essential networking devices that play a pivotal role in directing and managing data traffic within a LAN, ensuring efficient communication between devices while optimizing network performance and security.

With the UniFi Managed PoE+ Gigabit 8 Port Switch with SFP from Ubiquiti Networks it is easy to expand the capacity and reach of an existing network. This switch features 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports along with 2 SFP ports making it easy to incorporate high speed local storage networks into the configuration. In addition to Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, the network ports support 802.3af/at PoE networking standards designed to power devices such as VoIP phones, access points, IP cameras, and more. Once installed, this switch supports Ubiquiti's own UniFi Controller simplifying the process of managing network resources, switch configurations, port statuses, and much more.