What is a Managed Switch?
NETGEAR Business network switches are primarily designed around management style, so it’s important to understand the capabilities and use cases for each switch management style.

Switch Management Styles:
- Unmanaged Switches: True plug-and-play switches—no setup menus, just instant, low-cost port expansion for small offices, home labs, and non-critical devices.
- Lightly Managed (Smart/Easy Smart) Switches: Add an intuitive web GUI, VLANs, QoS, and optional Insight cloud control—perfect for growing businesses that need a bit of traffic shaping without full IT overhead.
- Fully Managed Switches: Enterprise workhorses with granular security, monitoring, stacking, and remote management to keep high-density, mission-critical networks locked down and scalable.
Why Upgrade to NETGEAR Managed Switches?
Once you’ve matched the switch management style to your network environment, the next step is selecting the proper NETGEAR Business switch hardware for everything beyond simple connectivity. The sections below show you how these switch powerhouses elevate performance, security, scalability, and day-to-day management — laying a rock-solid, future-proof foundation for your entire network.

Enhanced Performance
Upgrading to the latest NETGEAR Business switches delivers benefits you’ll notice right away, ensuring your network can handle the demands of modern technology with ease. By providing faster and more reliable connections, these switches empower businesses and individuals to work efficiently without interruptions. Whether streaming high-definition content, conducting critical video conferences, or managing data-intensive processes, NETGEAR switches ensure your network delivers the performance you need to succeed.
Featuring cutting-edge Multi-Gigabit and 10-Gigabit Ethernet technology, our switches are engineered to support bandwidth-intensive applications seamlessly. For instance, they enhance video conferencing experiences with stable, high-speed connections that eliminate lags and interruptions. Similarly, AI and machine learning workflows, which rely on rapid data processing, benefit from the low latency and high throughput these switches provide. Even large-scale data transfers are completed in record time, reducing downtime and increasing productivity.
Improved Security
NETGEAR Business managed switches empower businesses with the tools to keep their networks safe and secure, providing confidence and peace of mind. By protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access, these switches help maintain the integrity of your operations. Features like VLAN support ensure that confidential information is accessible only to the right individuals, reducing the risk of internal leaks or breaches. Access control lists (ACLs) provide precise control over permissions, allowing you to define who can access specific parts of your network, enhancing operational security. Together, these capabilities create a more secure environment, so you can focus on driving your business forward. The advanced IPv4/IPv6 security implementation includes malicious code detection, DHCP Snooping, IP Source Guard protection and DoS attacks mitigation. Virtual chassis stacking offers Nonstop Forwarding (NSF) and hitless failover, to ensure no single point of failure for servers and storage.
The benefits of upgrading to a NETGEAR managed switch extend beyond just enhanced security—they also simplify network management while protecting against cyber threats. Network segmentation not only reduces the risk of a security incident affecting your entire network but also optimizes performance by isolating traffic for different departments or applications. This ensures smoother workflows and uninterrupted access to critical systems. With these robust safeguards in place, NETGEAR managed switches help businesses operate with greater efficiency and confidence, freeing you to focus on innovation and growth without worrying about potential vulnerabilities.

Scalability and Flexibility
As your business grows, so do your network demands, and NETGEAR Business switches are designed to grow with you. These switches provide unmatched scalability, enabling you to expand your network effortlessly without disrupting your operations. Whether you need to accommodate more users, integrate new devices, or support bandwidth-intensive applications, NETGEAR’s stacking and modular design options make it easy to add capacity as needed. This flexibility ensures your network remains adaptable and capable of meeting future demands, allowing your business to thrive without being limited by infrastructure constraints.
The cost-effectiveness of NETGEAR Business switches lies in their ability to evolve with your needs, eliminating the need for frequent and costly overhauls. By expanding your network incrementally, you can manage expenses while ensuring uninterrupted service for your team and customers. Additionally, the seamless integration of new components minimizes downtime and reduces the complexity of upgrades, saving time and resources. With NETGEAR Business switches, your network becomes a long-term investment that supports your growth while keeping operational costs under control.
Ease of Management
NETGEAR Business smart and fully managed switches are designed to make network management simpler and more efficient, offering intuitive interfaces that take the complexity out of configuration and monitoring. These user-friendly tools save valuable time, allowing you to focus on your core business operations instead of struggling with complicated network setups. Even for businesses with limited IT resources, the simplicity of our interfaces ensures that network management tasks, such as adding new devices or adjusting settings, can be performed easily and with confidence. This streamlined approach reduces the learning curve and empowers businesses to maintain a robust network without the need for extensive technical expertise.
The benefits of upgrading to a NETGEAR Business switch extend beyond ease of use. Advanced features like remote management, cloud-based monitoring, and automated updates keep your network running smoothly while minimizing downtime. Remote management allows you to oversee your network from anywhere, ensuring quick responses to potential issues without requiring on-site intervention. Cloud-based monitoring provides real-time insights into network performance, helping you identify and resolve bottlenecks before they impact your operations. Automated updates further simplify maintenance, ensuring your network remains secure and up-to-date without manual intervention. By reducing the complexity of network management, NETGEAR Business switches free up time and resources, allowing you to focus on growth and innovation.
Future-Proofing Your Network
Upgrading to NETGEAR switches offers significant long-term benefits, making them a smart investment in the future of your network. By providing superior performance and reliability, these switches help ensure your network can handle both current and future demands. As technology evolves, your network will remain equipped to support emerging applications and increased data traffic, protecting your business from the risks of outdated infrastructure. This forward-thinking approach gives you a competitive edge by enabling you to stay ahead of technological shifts and capitalize on new opportunities without constantly having to upgrade your hardware.
NETGEAR’s reputation for quality and innovation further enhances the value of your investment. These switches are designed to offer not only exceptional performance but also scalability and adaptability, ensuring they can evolve with your needs over time. With NETGEAR, your network remains a powerhouse that supports growth and operational efficiency while providing the flexibility to adapt to future technological advancements. By choosing NETGEAR Business, you’re setting up your business for continued success, confident that your network will meet the challenges of tomorrow’s digital landscape.

Conclusion
Upgrading to NETGEAR Business managed switches offers a comprehensive solution for businesses looking to enhance their network performance, security, scalability, and ease of management. With superior speed and reliability, these switches enable businesses to handle modern technology demands while ensuring secure, uninterrupted connectivity. Their scalability and flexibility allow your network to grow alongside your business, adapting to evolving needs without the risk of obsolescence. Additionally, NETGEAR’s intuitive management interfaces simplify network monitoring and maintenance, even for businesses with limited IT resources, saving time and reducing complexity. Investing in NETGEAR switches today not only meets your current requirements but also positions your network to thrive in the future, ensuring long-term success and a competitive edge in an ever-evolving digital landscape.