Managed vs Unmanaged Switches?

[VLADY218]

What is the difference between Managed and Unmanaged Switches. I found out that with a Managed Switch you can set up VLANS, but im curios is how you set up a Managed Switch. Does it use an IP address or not? and when you configure it, is there software that comes with it or third party software or do you just telnet into it.

I appreciate any insight on my questions.

THANK YOU

 

[Adune]

Managed switches are a switch with additional features basically. There is no standard for a "managed" switch. Usually, it's features like VLANs, setting priority ports, etc...

Control for the management can be anything from a couple buttons on the front panel of the switch to the ability to use telnet or http management, to a serial port to directly connect to.

Not all managed switches are the same, and it comes down to what features you need, and the size of your network. A managed switch can cost you anywhere from $100 for basic stuff, to several thousand dollars for Cisco & Foundry stuff.