Switches are networking hardware that connect devices in a local area network. There can be switches of different types, configurations, and up to 48 ports. A managed switch is a network switch that can be configured and properly managed as per the need and use.
Managed switches are fully configured by the users; you can set and change the configuration, and manage the switch at any time. This requires trained network engineers to access the switch using a command-line interface (CLI) or the device console, and it requires expertise. On the other hand, unmanaged devices are all preconfigured by the vendor and are ready to use. They are not customizable, meaning the users cannot edit any of the settings.
Managed switches are designed for high workloads, traffic, and deployments, which involve customization and technical expertise to configure and manage.
Managed switches give you full control over the network and the traffic that flows through.
Managed switches are generally SNMP-enabled, which offers the flexibility to monitor and manage every port and throughput.
Common managed switches available in the market are D-Link DGS-3630 Series, Netgear M4500, 4300, 4200, and 4100 series, and Cisco 350 series switches.
You can monitor all your SNMP-powered managed switches using Site24x7 Network Monitoring.