An 8-port switch is used to expand the number of network ports, connecting more devices (such as computers, printers, cameras, etc.) to a local area network (LAN) for data transmission and communication. It also provides high-speed data forwarding and, in certain models, integrates PoE (Power over Ethernet) and lightweight network management features.
Main Uses
Port Expansion: Its primary function is to expand network ports, extending the limited ports of a router or optical modem into multiple ports to support the connection of more wired devices.
Data Forwarding: As a relay station in the network, it efficiently forwards data packets to the correct port based on the device's MAC address, avoiding the problems of shared bandwidth and conflicts associated with hubs.
Support for High-Speed Transmission: Many switches support gigabit or even 10-gigabit networks, meeting the needs of high-bandwidth devices (such as HD surveillance cameras and servers) for fast and stable data transmission.
PoE Power (some models): PoE switches can transmit data and power simultaneously through network cables, providing power to devices such as IP phones, wireless access points, and surveillance cameras, simplifying cabling.
Network Management (some models): Lightly managed or fully managed switches support advanced features such as VLAN and QoS, enabling more granular network management and improving network performance and stability.