48 Port PoE Switch Stacking: Do You Really Need It?
When network designers build their networks, there is a common problem that they may meet: whether to stack switches or not. Because, limited by the switch port counts, designers have to get more switches or stack switches to meet network build requirements. In the article, the stack of 48-port PoE switch will be used as examples to explore how to achieve optimized network performance through switch stacking, and when network designers need to stack their network switches.
How to Decide Whether Switch Stacking Is Need?
Switch stacking is to connect two or a group of network switches to form a single stack unit that can be managed in a simple way. In this way, available switch ports are increasing as well as management simplicity. For example, in an small business network (PoE is necessary), if 48 gigabit ports are needed, two 24-port gigabit PoE switches can be stacked to achieve the target. Of course, one 48 port PoE gigabit switch also can be used. However, whether to choose stacking or not depends on what the designer want to accomplish. If cost savings and some sense of isolating network outages are important parameters to consider, stacking is a better choice like the two 24-port PoE switches. If features related to simplicity, scalability and flexibility are more important, then choose the one 48 port PoE switch.
How to Stack 48 Port PoE Switch?
Generally speaking, there are two types of switch stacking—ring topology and chain topology. The main differences are the numbers of stacking cables used in these two topologies. Furthermore, ring type protects networks from a single failure because communications between the switches continue in a direct way. Chain topology is not a recommended stacking type, for it can cause split stack easily, though it requires less number of cables.
Therefore, the following example is to illustrate how to stack three 48 port PoE switches together.
In the picture, all the three 48-port PoE switches are connected via SFP+ port. The connections of SFP+ ports are:
Switch # 1,SFP+ port # 1—Switch # 2, SFP+ port # 2
Switch # 2,SFP+ port # 1—Switch # 3, SFP+ port # 2
Switch # 3,SFP+ port # 1—Switch # 1, SFP+ port # 2
By connecting these switches in this way, a logical progressions from port 1 to port 2 is established. This could prevent a single point failure effectively. At the same time, switches stacking together require more power, which sometimes requires cooling devices.
Do You Really Need Switch Stacking?
As network devices growing, more switches are deployed in networks. There are advantages and disadvantages of stackable switches and standalone switches. In fact, whether to need swtich stacking depend on how your network is going to be planned today and tomorrow. Standalone switches like FS 48 port gigabit PoE switch are beneficial for small business that looks for network efficiency, operational cost savings, and ease of management. While for large enterprise business networks with VoIP traffic and hosting, to simplify management and get more advanced features, stackable switches maybe a better choice.
Summary
In summary, switch stacking allows network administers to manage several switches as “one switch”, ensuring the performance as well as network management simplification. However, as mentioned above, whether to choose stackable switch depend on the network deployment. Cisco 48 port PoE switch usually support stacking, which is good for large enterprises. While other brand switch like FS 48 port PoE switch that doesn’t support stacking is ideal for SMB networks.
