Switch - Noob questions

[cisto1999]

Hi,

i want to connect multiple PCs to the internet and create a subnet between some of my machines to share data between them (render nodes for Blender).

Found two switches which i am interested in:

https://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-16-Port-100Mbps-Gigabit-TL-SL2218/dp/B00D5T67FA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503507997&sr=8-1&keywords=TP-Link+TL-SL2218

or

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Ethernet-Unmanaged-Rackmount-TL-SG1016/dp/B002HAJQGA/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1503508124&sr=1-1&keywords=TP-Link+TL-SG1016

 

Please can somebody explain for me in very simple words what it means that the more expensive switch is managed and has two gigabit ports? What would you recommend for me?

[Lurick]

Go for the unmanaged switch.

Managed means you have advanced features and functionality which usually increases the cost.

[Oshino Shinobu]

The TL-SL2218 has 16 100Mbps RJ45 ports, 2 1Gbps RJ45 ports and 2 1Gbps SFP/RJ45 combo ports. It's a managed switch, so it has capabilities to setup VLANs, manage QoS, SNMP, LACP etc. etc. 

 

The TL-SG1016 has 16 1Gbps RJ45 ports. It's unmanaged, so you just plug devices in and they will be on the same network, no configuration required or available. 

 

Most of the time, if you need a feature from a managed switch, you'll know you need a managed switch. If you just want to connect devices to the network, get an unmanaged switch. Also, with how little they cost now days, I would only go with Gigabit switches, there's not really any reason to go with 100Mbps switches as they're not much cheaper than the Gigabit counterparts. 

[cisto1999]

Thanks!

[mynameisjuan]

2 hours ago, Lurick said:

Go for the unmanaged switch.

Managed means you have advanced features and functionality which usually increases the cost.

I wouldnt even say cost.....more like complexity. Especially for someone that never set up a manage switch.