A strong, reliable network is what keeps the heart pumping of any modern business in our incredibly connected world. Network switches are the unsung heroes of the infrastructure that keep data flowing and connectivity possible. Any technology will eventually become obsolete, and so will your network switches, creating performance bottlenecks, security vulnerabilities, and downtime that costs money. It is therefore crucial to identify some obvious signs that show the network switches need upgrading in order to maintain the network performance and safeguard the business. Do not wait for an emergency; always be ahead!
Here are five telltale signs that would justify the need to give your data switches a makeover:
1. Network Performance Crawls:
Is your team complaining about sluggish file transfers, lagging, and dropped connections? Is the application and user demand far beyond what your network is built for? These are all sure symptoms of antiquated switches that can’t handle the current network load. Slow network performance directly impacts productivity and, coupled with employee frustration, will ultimately affect your bottom line. If it just seems your network is dragging, that’s a pretty good signal your switches should be evaluated.
2. Frequent Network Downtime Cripples Productivity:
Unplanned network downtime is a nightmare scenario for any business. Loss of productivity and missed deadlines and potential harm to your reputation would all be possible ramifications. If outages, intermittent slow connectivity, or unexplainable slowdowns are frequent on your network, it could point to an issue with your switches. Reliable network switches are pivotal to business continuity, minimizing downtime, and allowing for smooth operations.
3. Lack of Power over Ethernet (PoE) Support
If an organization demands IP cameras, VoIP-type phones, or wireless access points, then it is definitely a setback that these devices do not receive PoE support from the switch. There may also be these old switches that cannot deliver an adequate amount of power to these devices and would then require extra power adapters, thus adding to the complexity. When upgrading switches, PoE or PoE+ simply streamlines installation while ensuring adequate power will then be available to the devices.
4. Security Features are not up to the Mark
Older switches do not employ features that afford a level of control over security that will prevent an attack from damaging your network. With Access Control Lists (ACLs) present, VLANs are a feature found on most modern switches that will help protect your data and deny access to unauthorized users. Hence, if your switches lack any of the features mentioned above, you definitely need to upgrade to something more secure.
5. Hard to Scale Your Network
Your growing company will definitely have growing networking needs. Outdated switches restricting adding new devices or increased traffic might just slow down your business. Today’s stackable switches and modular switches provide maximum scalability with the added flexibility for network expansion without a hitch.
Why Upgrade Your Network Switches?
Switches are not only changed when problems arise but to future-proof your business. Modern switches provide the following:
- Speed for productivity.
- Access to data security.
- PoE for ease of managing appliances.
- Scalable for growth.
- Reliability in reducing downtimes and disruption.
Where to Find Reliable Network Switches
Jazz Cyber Shield specializes in selling 100% new best-quality network switches from trusted brands like Cisco, HP Aruba, and others. Be it PoE switches, Gigabit Ethernet switches, or stackable switches, we have the right fit for your enterprise.
Conclusion
If slow speeds, frequent downtimes, or security issues are constant concerns, it’s time to replace your network switches. Newer switches solve these problems while contributing to building a scalable and secure network. Head over to Jazz Cyber Shield today and browse through our lineup of enterprise-grade switches to take the first step toward a faster and dependable network.
