Network Switch - Performance Effect

[arkenis]

I did a quick search through the forum only to find a couple mentions of network switches; however, nothing that answers my question.

 

I plan to use this switch in relation to my pfsense box.

 

The Main Questions:

 

Does a network switch process anything? because from what I know, it is just splitting connections of ethernet connections.

 

Will there be a significant impact on performance using a switch? ping? *I know that the bandwidth is limited to the gigabit connection with the router*

 

And is the data connected to the router considered one user, or multiple users depending on the switch.

 

Does a more expensive switch with the same amount of ports have an advantage over a cheaper varient?

 

Thanks.

[LargeGeek]

A switch does do a modicum of processing, as opposed to a hub. And at this point un-managed switches are pretty much equal. There are some that add to their value by being more power efficient. There is something to be said for going with established manufactures, but performance is theoretically on par. (I have had a great experience with the two TrendNet GREEN Gigabit switches I run. 16p & 8p)

 

And there is zero impact on performance. At least nothing that would be perceptible to a human.

 

A hub takes in packets and broadcasts them to all devices/ports and each device picks theirs up and ignores the rest. This is, of course, very inefficient. A switch improves performance by actually paying attention to where the packets need to go. Once it has established which IP address exists on which port, it only sends the appropriate traffic.

 

I am not quite sure what you are asking with the 'data' question.

[Ssoele]

Yes, switches do process stuff (like calculating CRC).

However, for just a consumer load, you won't notice anything.

Only high-end networks benefit from higher capacity switches (like when you are stressing all the ports to the max)

EDIT

If I remember correctly, HardwareInfo had an article where they tested a bunch of consumer switches, I will try to look for it.

[arkenis]

A switch does do a modicum of processing, as opposed to a hub. And at this point un-managed switches are pretty much equal. There are some that add to their value by being more power efficient. There is something to be said for going with established manufactures, but performance is theoretically on par. (I have had a great experience with the two TrendNet GREEN Gigabit switches I run. 16p & 8p)

 

And there is zero impact on performance. At least nothing that would be perceptible to a human.

 

A hub takes in packets and broadcasts them to all devices/ports and each device picks theirs up and ignores the rest. This is, of course, very inefficient. A switch improves performance by actually paying attention to where the packets need to go. Once it has established which IP address exists on which port, it only sends the appropriate traffic.

 

I am not quite sure what you are asking with the 'data' question.

Thanks for the answer

 

When I meant by data, I was asking whether or not the router perceives the connection between the switch and the router as one client. Or the router is able to tell that there are multiple clients through one gigabit cable.

 

The answer has pretty much been answered.

[LargeGeek]

So to answer your question directly...YES...as long as those devices are properly configured to operate on the network and have attempted to communicate with the router/firewall.

 

Here is a very low-level explanation...

 

As far as the router is concerned...It has a LAN interface. There exists a certain range of IP addresses that it is set-up to serve to clients on it. Those clients either request to be given an address (DHCP) or are set to a static address. The router/firewall is not overly concerned with the exact location of the client. All it cares about it that it is on the LAN port. The switches that might exist on the network then forward all traffic between the router and clients appropriately. The router's job it to manage (or route) traffic that is external to the LAN...otherwise known as the Internet (this would also include any VPNs and other remote networks as they ARE going over the Internet, however encrypted). That's where the term 'firewall' becomes more important...It blocks (firewalls) malicious or uninvited traffic from making its way into the LAN.

 

Once two clients have IP addresses. They no longer need the router/firewall to communicate. From then on it is straight to each other through the switch(es). As far as general networking goes, you don't even need a router as long as each device is configured to the same IP range.