Computers and the Internet have become an indispensable part of our lives. We cannot imagine a day without being engaged in these things. Be it for personal use or business purposes, computers, and the internet will always play a major role in getting our work done fast and fine. To enrich the experience of computer and internet browsing, networking is considered very essential. Through networking, you can get multiple works done with just simple connections. Networking can be obtained successfully through Gigabit switches. These gigabit switches are used as a connecting device to connect multiple devices for office or personal uses.
You can choose the gigabit switch according to your needs. The gigabit switch comes with a different number of ports and hence they are classified into many types based on port numbers. If you are planning to connect many numbers of devices, then you can place your best trust on 26 Port Gigabit Switches. These switches are used to connect devices such as Televisions, Computers, Laptops, surveillance cameras, etc. to a LAN (Local Area Network). This will enable you to share your internet with all connected devices. Network switches are a good replacement choice for our usual WiFi.
Though WiFi can connect several devices to the internet, it cannot replace the efficiency of a gigabit network switch in providing an uninterrupted fast internet connection with no or minimum lags. This is also cost-efficient and comes at affordable prices. You do not have to worry about the installation process also, as it does not require a tech expert to do so. A person with minimum technical knowledge can operate these easy-to-install network switches. Despite being connected to multiple devices, network switches are designed in such a way to offer fast internet speed to all the devices with minimum effort.
A Gigabit switch can be chosen from a wide range of choices based on the number of devices you are going to connect with. This number corresponds to the number of Ports on the Gigabit switch you are about to choose. Here we are going to take a look at 26 Port Gigabit Switches in the market. This switch type is mostly used for office and business networking purposes. Since the office environment requires devices such as PCs, cameras, and many other devices to be connected, this switch type would be a perfect choice.
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Best 26 Port Gigabit Switches in 2023
There are tons of choices of 26 Port Gigabit Switches available in the market. We have made your job easy by shortlisting some of the best 26 Port Gigabit Switches with their functional details. Here they are:
1. NETGEAR 26-Port Gigabit Ethernet Smart Managed Pro PoE Switch (GS324TP)
- Model number: GS324TP-100NAS
- Dimensions: 8.1 x 13 x 1.7 inches
- Weight: 5.93 pounds
NETGEAR is one of the trustworthy brands when it comes to Gigabit Network Switches. The brand offers quality products at affordable prices. NETGEAR has many types of network switches based on port numbers. The switch comes with 24 PoE+ ports with 190W total power budget and 2 1G SFP ports, adding to a total of 26 ports. The switch comes with an easy-to-use interface for user-friendly operation.
It uses plug and plays operation, therefore requires no software or configuration for installation. This switch is an apt choice for big organizations that require advanced configuration and a secure setup process. It is also used to access and manage complex business networks. The switch supports data priority, hence giving top priority to the desired data among video, audio data.
The switch has versatile mounting options. It can be either placed with a desktop or mounted over a wall or on a rack. NETGEAR 26 port PoE switch provides you all mounting hardware along with the switch.
The switch is made up of a fan-less design, which will provide no noise, and will be a suitable option for a quiet business environment. The switch offers you a limited hardware warranty of up to 5 years. With power and energy-saving technology, the switch reduces power wastage and is energy efficient, thus costing less money. The switch also provides high-end security of your data and information, thus being your trustable business partner.
Pros
- Plug and play operation, the easy installation process
- Data traffic prioritization
- Reduces energy and power wastage
- Versatile mounting options
- Noiseless, as it uses a fan-less design
- Best for business networks
- Integrated security
Cons
- Some users complaint that the fan-less design creates noise
- LED lights bit faulty in certain products
2. NETGEAR 26-Port Gigabit Ethernet Smart Managed Pro Switch (GS324T)
- Model number: GS324T-100NAS
- Dimensions: 6.7 x 12.9 x 1.7 inches
- Weight: 3.57 pounds
The functions of this model gigabit switch are quite similar to the previous one. This respective switch comes with 24 PoE+ ports and 2 1G SFP ports, adding to a total of 26 ports. The switch comes with an easy to use interface for user-friendly operation. It uses plug and plays operation, therefore requires no software or configuration for installation.
This switch is an apt choice for big organizations that require advanced configuration and a secure setup process. It is also used to access and manage complex business networks. The switch supports data priority, hence giving top priority to the desired data among video, audio data. The switch has versatile mounting options. It can be either placed with a desktop or mounted over a wall or on a rack. NETGEAR 26 port PoE switch provides you all mounting hardware along with the switch.
The switch is made up of a fan-less design, which will provide no noise, and will be a suitable option for a quiet business environment. The switch offers you a limited hardware warranty of up to 5 years. With power and energy-saving technology, the switch reduces power wastage and is energy efficient, thus costing less money. The switch also provides high-end security of your data and information, thus being your trustable business partner. The switch provides complete visibility and remote control of any devices from anywhere.
Pros
- Affordable
- Plug and play operation makes installation easy
- Reduces energy and power wastage
- Versatile mounting options
- Noiseless, as it uses a fan-less design
- Prioritization of data traffic
Cons
- Minor complaints on the switch’s web requiring a browser with Java plugin to work
3. Linksys Business 24-Port Gigabit Smart Managed Switch with 2 Gigabit and 2 SFP Ports
- Model number: LGS326-EU
- Weight: 5.34 pounds
- Dimensions: 7.9 x 17.3 x 1.7 inches
Linksys 26 Port Gigabit Managed Switch comes with 24 smart-managed ports and 2 SFP ports. The switch is affordable and has good brand value. The switch prioritizes network data traffic to improve networking performance. It will give first preference to your desired data and carry out functions accordingly. This includes audio, video applications, file transfers, etc.
The switch has IGMP snooping functioning, which will enable the network to work at a high level of efficiency. Linksys 26 port switch is incorporated with several security-enhancing functions.
The switch is highly secure and will demand authentication before file transfers to set up a secure and trustworthy network. The DHCP snooping and IP-MAC binding functions of the ports will prevent unexpected network attacks. The STP and Storm Control functions will allow you to expand your network, switches, and devices. This is an amazing feature for business and professional purposes.
The switch has a good reputation among consumers for delivering great professional-grade performance and management. The security functions of the switch are added advantages. The network speed is also commendable in this switch. Even high bandwidth audio and video files can be transferred and downloaded at a fast speed.
Pros
- Multiple security functions will provide a highly secure network setup
- File transfers are safe
- Affordable
- Networking speed is good
- Apt for expanding your networks
- Ideal for business uses
- Prioritization of data traffic in networking
Cons
- Few complaints on connectivity issues
4. YuanLey 26 Port PoE Switch, 24 PoE+ 2 Uplink Gigabit Port
- Model number: YS20242F-P
- Weight: 4.5 pounds
- Dimensions: 10.63 x 7.09 x 1.73 inches
YuanLey Gigabit switch comes with 24 PoE ports and 2 Uplink gigabit ports, which are capable of speed up to 1000Mb per second. These 2 uplink ports are capable of handling intensive high bandwidth files. The PoE ports are capable of detecting non-PoE devices.
The switch is made up of durable metal and is of compact size. It also comes at an affordable price. The switch is capable of bearing up to 400 W of power supply. This will provide you a fast and fine networking experience.
YuanLey Gigabit switch uses Plug and play feature. It is very easy to set up, as it requires no software or configuration to install. The switch offers an ‘extend mode’ feature, through which you can extend the efficiency of the ports. In this mode, a single port will support the 250m of transmission distance and data speed of 10Mb per second. The 24 PoE ports will support VLAN isolation which is used to decrease network crowding and also improves security and safety.
The fan design is used for the dissipation of heat. The switch comes with LED indicator lights to display port status. The switch can be used for multiple devices like IP cameras, Wireless Access points, IP Phones, PCs, laptops, Computer Networks, etc. The switch supports auto MDI/MDIX features.
Pros
- The switch is compact
- Comes at an affordable rate
- 2 uplink gigabit ports are capable of 1000Mb per second data speed
- The switch can bear up to 400 W power in total
- Fast networking speed
- Plug and play feature
- Auto MDI/MDIX feature supports self-negotiation
- Supports VLAN isolation
- Secure and safe networking experience
- Multi-purposive, best for IP cameras
- Extend mode feature enables port efficiency
Cons
- No cons
5. BV-Tech 26 Port PoE Managed Switch (24 PoE+ Ports, 2 SFP Uplink ports)
- Model number: POE-SW2404-MG
- Weight: 7.74 pounds
- Dimensions: 17.32 x 1.73 x 11.81 inches
BV-Tech 26 port Managed switch comes with 24 PoE Ports, which will offer data speed of 10/100Mb per second and 2 Gigabit Ethernet or SFP Uplink ports that provide data speed up to 10/100/1000Mb per second. The switch is capable of bearing power up to 240W. The Managed Switch offers up to 820ft (250m) PoE transmission. The switch is quite bulky when compared with its peers in the market. It is approximately 3.5 kgs.
The switch can be operated even when you are quite away. It allows data transfer and power transmission to a distance of up to 820 feet. It has both half-duplex and full-duplex modes, according to the user’s needs. The switch provides appropriate security functions like IP+MAC binding based on ports. The switch will demand authentication before file transfers to set up a secure network. The switch prioritizes network data traffic to improve networking performance. It will give first preference to your desired data and carry out functions accordingly. This includes audio, video applications, file transfers, etc.
The brand offers a 1-year warranty for the switch with 30 days money return offer if the product is not found satisfactory. You can also replace the switch for free if you have ordered a defective product.
Pros
- 2 SFP uplink ports offer high-speed data
- PoE transmission up to 250 m
- Offers 1-year warranty and free replacement
- Prioritizes data and prevents network traffic
- Security functions to protect your files and data
- Half and full-duplex modes
Cons
- 2 ports are not RJ45 ports
- Fewer complaints of noisy design
6. Cisco Smart Switch with 24 Gigabit Ethernet Ports + 2 Gigabit Ethernet combo mini-GBIC SFP
- Series: SG220-26
- Model number: SG220-26-K9
- Weight: 8 pounds
- Dimensions: 9 x 2 x 17 inches
The Cisco Gigabit switch is simple to use a switch that can be set up instantly. The switch is budget-friendly and flexible. You can customize your switching and routing experience through this switch. It comes with built-in security-providing functions.
It has a Cisco Umbrella security feature to protect your data and privacy. Cisco offers customer support and limited product warranty to its customers. You can sit in one place and manage all your networking requirements through Cisco switch remote access.
It is an ideal choice for small to medium businesses purposes. The ports are of professional grade. The switch comes with VPN and firewall support to protect your networking privacy. The wireless access points will provide wireless WiFi connections to multiple devices.
Pros
- Plug and play feature
- Good networking speed and performance
- Secure
- Ideal for small to medium businesses
- Wireless access points
Cons
- It does not have rack-mounting ears
7. D-Link 26 Port Smart Managed Layer 2+ Gigabit Ethernet Switch with 2 Gigabit SFP Ports
- Model number: DGS-1210-26
- Weight: 4.53 pounds
- Dimensions: 17.32 x 5.51 x 1.73 inches
D-Link 26 port gigabit switch comes with 24 ports and 2 Gigabit SFP ports. It comes with L2+ Static Routing and advanced L2 switching. This switching feature comprises 802 1Q VLAN QoS bandwidth limiting, Spanning Tree, link aggregation, IGMP Snooping and Port Mirroring,.
The switch also has incorporated advanced security functions. They are Access Control List, D-Link Safeguard Engine and ARP Spoofing Prevention. The switch is a good choice for your business purposes, as it comes with multiple security features to protect your data and files. All the 26 ports in this switch support PoE.
Pros
- Multiple security features
- Network performance and speed is commendable
- All ports support PoE
- 2 SFP ports offer faster data speed
- Affordable price
- Customer support is responsive
Cons
- Few complaints on not being able to do security updates
8. IPCamPower 24 Port POE Network Switch + 2 Gigabit Uplink Ports
- Model number: IPCP-24P2G-AF2
- Weight: 5.24 pounds
- Dimensions: 8 x 13 x 1.75 inches
This switch type is exclusively designed for use in IP cameras. If that is your focus use, this is an apt choice. The switch comes with 24 PoE ports and 2 additional non-powered uplink gigabit ports. This switch is an unmanaged PoE switch. It is a perfect choice for devices that use PoE. The two additional uplink ports suit best for fast data transfer. It also runs all combined network traffic with ease. Be it your cameras or NVR or Server or router.
Each port in the switch can push PoE up to 30W. The total power budget of this switch is 250W. You can use a minimum of 24 IP cameras with this power supply. This is indeed a great advantage to run multiple devices with smooth performance. The switch comes with a fan-less design, suitable for quiet business environments. It has versatile mounting options. It can be mounted on a rack or with a desktop.
Pros
- Versatile mounting options
- 2 uplink ports with great speed
- Best for IP cameras
- Fan-less design, suitable for quiet places
- Great efficiency as it can bear power up to 250W
- Reasonable price
- Networking speed is great
Cons
- No cons
9. Cisco Smart Switch with 26 Gigabit Ethernet Ports (SG250-26)
- Model number: SG250-26
- Weight: 7 pounds
- Dimensions: 7.95 x 17.32 x 1.73 inches
Cisco smart switch comes with 24-gigabit ports with 10/100/1000mbps and 2 SFP ports. The switch is easy to install and operate. It comes with built-in security-providing functions. It has a Cisco Umbrella security feature to protect your data and privacy. Cisco offers customer support and limited product warranty to its customers. It is an apt choice for small to medium business purposes. The ports are of professional quality.
It also provides technical support for a year and free software issues fixes for limited warranty time. You can customize your switching and routing experience through this switch. You can sit in one place and manage all your networking requirements through Cisco switch remote access.
Pros
- 2 SFP ports are of great speed
- Flexible
- Built-in security features
- Provides limited warranty and tech support
- Switching can be customized
Cons
- Minor complaints about bugs
10. NETGEAR 26-Port Gigabit Fully Managed Switch with 4 SFP ports
- Model number: GSM7224-200NAS
- Weight: 9.43 pounds
- Dimensions: 22.56 x 13.86 x 3.66 inches
This model of NETGEAR switch comes with 26 Gigabit ports and 4 SFP shared ports. The installation process is very simple and easy. The switch has everything you need, from security to network speed. The switch supports versatile mounting, including desktop placing and mounting over wall or rack.
The fan-less design provides no noise, suitable for quiet business places. It offers 24/7 tech support and replacement options. The switch is designed in a way to reduce power wastage and work efficiently.
Pros
- Network performance
- Brand value
- Versatile mounting
- 24/7 tech support
- Reduces power wastage
Cons
- Tech support quite unresponsive, as complained by some users
- Requires Java plug-in
11. TRENDnet 26-Port Industrial Gigabit L2 Managed PoE+ Switch
- Model number: TI-RP262I
- Dimensions: 17.3 x 12.3 x 1.7 inches
- Weight: 10.05 pounds
If budget isn’t a constraint for you and you are willing to spend a little more than the staple amount, the TRENDnet 26-Port Industrial Gigabit L2 Managed PoE+ Switch is a pretty good option for the 26 port Gigabit switch.
Besides the fact that it supports enhanced efficiency with the product, you also get the best performance with the fiber SPF modules and the 685W PoE power budget. The power supply for this product is sold separately, which means that you have to spend an extra amount on that too.
As for the performance, the switch supports 52 Gbps switching capacity and features hardened metal construction with IP30 durability, something that you wouldn’t regret spending your coins on. Also, the operating temperature range for this product is between 40-70 degrees Celsius, which might seem like a lot but it supports extended period use.
The device also supports external functions like QoS support, queue scheduling, bandwidth control, and other allied features like Ethernet ring protection for optimal user experience.
Pros
- Durable metal construction
- Enhanced efficiency
- Larger temperature functioning
- Comes with Ethernet ring protection
Cons
- Pretty expensive
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Ultimate Buying Guide to Choose the Right 26 Port Gigabit Switches
When it comes to choosing the best 26 Port Gigabit Switch for your professional or personal purpose, you have several checkboxes to tick. As there are a lot of choices around you, be wise enough to choose the useful and perfect one that will suit your need the best. Do not get misguided by attractive ads or cheap prices. Some patience and little inquiry will help you choose the perfect one. Here are some of the essential factors to consider before you place your order.
1. Port Numbers
Port numbers decide the number of devices that you are going to connect to your gigabit switch. For a purpose, such as setting up a smart home, a 5 port or 16 port gigabit switches will do. For business and official purposes like setting up small to medium enterprises or a big office, 24 or 26 port gigabit switches will suffice. TVs, laptops, personal computers, IP phones, surveillance cameras, gaming consoles, etc. are some of the many devices that an office environment will connect the network switch to. So, the first step to choosing a Gigabit Switch is to determine the total number of devices you need to connect to your network. The 26 Port Gigabit Switch can be used in small to medium scale offices and Rackmount form. It can also be used as auxiliaries for large scale industries. Thus, a 26 Port Gigabit Switch is the perfect one for a multi-purposive environment.
2. Price
Price is an important practical factor to consider before you purchase a 26 port Gigabit network switch. You should check whether the network switch you are buying is worth your money. Go through product reviews before purchasing. This will help you eliminate choices that are unworthy of your wish list. When you choose a device, see for one that suits your needs. Some of the common factors are System type (Managed/Unmanaged), Energy efficiency, Size/Weight and Dimensions, Mounting type (Desktop/Wall/Rackmount), mode of transmission (Full/Half-Duplex), etc.
3. Power Supply
The most common mode of power supply seen in recent products is Power over Ethernet (PoE). This enables your product to receive its power supply from the existing Ethernet cable and distributes the power to its assigned devices. This helps in the efficient supply of power and reduces your carbon footprint by eliminating the need for a separate wire to provide the power source to all devices.
4. Switch Management Type
There are two common types of Switches. They are termed as Managed Network Switch and Unmanaged Network Switch. Both are widely available in all markets.
Managed Network Switch: A managed network switch allows you to specify the settings such as allocation of bandwidth, security protocols, access control, and network monitoring. Though it does require a professional dedicated to managing the switch, it also has the added advantage where the network can be expanded later. According to the switch type you choose, the virtual network access and Quality of Service provided will be marked. A Managed Switch enables you to automatically rebuild your network during future expansions.
Unmanaged Network Switch: The unmanaged network switches provide a simple interface where you can just plug and play. There is no need for tedious installation processes as the ports are all open for use at any time. The price is also considerably less when compared to the managed switches available in the current market. This is the best choice for a simple network connection as it is cheap and easy to use for a limited number of devices, with good quality and high-speed performance.
5. Energy Efficiency
The modern world relies a lot on energy to power all the various devices that are designed to suit almost every human need. As consumption increases, so does the demand. Thus, it is always best to use devices that save as much energy as possible so that the limited source of energy can be redirected for other use. As you select a Gigabit Switch, keep in mind that with lower power consumption, you also save your future expenses due to energy wastage. Most of the high-end and medium-priced devices have Green Technology installed in it, with the Auto-negotiation feature. This helps to limit the total power supplied to each port by constantly monitoring the various devices that are connected in tandem via the Gigabit Network Switch.
6. Reducing power wastage
Though this is not a mandatory technical detail to be noted, most of the 26 port Gigabit Network Switches in the market come with eco-friendly technology of reducing power wastage from the ports connected. All the 26 ports in the switch will be connected to devices like computers, servers, gaming consoles, scanners, printers, etc. These devices won’t be active all the time. There are times when some devices go to sleep mode or get shut down or not being used. The network switch must be able to detect the ports that are not being used and cut down the power supply to that port.
7. Warranty and Technical support
Warranty and technical support are practical factors that you should consider while buying any electronic items rather than the network switch alone. For the network switch, these are important because we never know when a technical error occurs. Warranty will help you return and replace defective items within a specific period, while technical support allows you to get connected with the company authority for any doubts or functional errors or doubts. Though these factors do not come under a technicality, it is good to consider these while buying. Some switches provide you 24/7 free technical support. Some offer a limited period of free technical support. Prefer to opt for switches with lifetime tech support, as you can connect for support whenever you want.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About 26 Port Gigabit Switches in 2023
1. How is a 26 port Gigabit switch different from 8 port and 5 port Gigabit switches?
A 26 port Gigabit switch can simply connect more devices than the 8 or 5 port switches. Also, the higher the number of ports, the higher the switch is suitable for business and professional uses.
2. How to differentiate between Layer 2 and Layer 3 Managed switch?
Layer 2 Managed switch will send network traffic between the server and a PC inside the same subnet. Layer 3 managed switches can be used if the server and PC are on different subnets.
3. Using Web Interface (WI) how to save and load configuration of a switch?
Go to your web browser. Enter the IP address of the switch in the browser to get connected to WI. You can go to the ‘Save Configuration’ page by pressing plus. Then, press ‘Save Configuration’ to save it.
4. What is the difference between a PoE and a non-PoE switch?
Power over Ethernet (PoE) switches have many numbers of Ethernet ports to provide electric power over ethernet to the connected devices. While the non-PoE switch can be used to send only data over networking and not power.
5. What are additional uplink ports in a switch?
The uplink ports in the gigabit switch are used for providing high-speed networking. The speed in these ports is usually higher than the other ports. You can either connect a smaller network or usual devices to utilize these high-speed ports.
6. How to select the best 26 port gigabit switch?
There are some basic parameters that you should look at before buying a 26 port gigabit switch. Not every ethernet switch offers the same level forwarding rate, so always prefer buying a 26 port gigabit switch that has cleared the performance test. Choose a model that provides an excellent level of forwarding rate for your system. Ensure your chosen switch has a fanless design that will give you a silent operating environment. Check how much noise your gigabit switch produces; try to get a switch with 0 dB sound that is considerable for a business environment.
Keep in mind that many companies claim to make noise-free models, but in reality, they are not fanless. Perfect features with a budget-friendly price is an ideal choice. Remember to check which model covers all of your needs at a lower cost; decide after understanding your budget.
Consider a good build quality gigabit switch because it will help you in the long run and ignore the models with the cheap build quality. Go for the switches with a sturdy metal body so that your gigabit ethernet switch will be protected from accidental falls.
7. What are the benefits of a Gigabit switch?
In this digital world, Slow speed or crashing internet connections can not be afforded in the business. Still, the good news is that a 26 port gigabit ethernet switch will take care of your internet connection and give you a lag-free experience.
Once you buy a gigabit ethernet switch, you can reduce the traffic jams from your site. With this consistent connection, you will be able to speed up all of your devices, whether it is a computer, laptop, television or surveillance camera. In this digital era, computers are using more data than ever before.
With the help of a 26 port gigabit switch ethernet, you can change the game for all of your systems. By using this gigabit switch, you can expand your server capabilities. You can simply connect multiple gigabit ethernet ports to increase the speed of your internet connection, which will help your computers stay connected to a single server.
You can rely on this switch’s 10 gigabits per second capabilities for quick data transfers. When it comes to stability in connection or reliable security for your privacy, gigabit switches are the best; these switches provide maximum protection to your devices. It is an organized wire network that needs physical access from the router, unlike the WiFi, which can be operated externally.
8. Can Ethernet and WiFi be used at the same time?
Using WiFi and ethernet connection at the same time is possible on any computer or laptop which has built-in WiFi with an ethernet connection. To connect both WiFi and ethernet simultaneously, you have to configure some settings over your system, depending on your operating system. Windows, macOS, Chrome or Linus operating systems have different settings panels.
To establish an ethernet connection, you have to connect your computer or laptop with a router through the help of an ethernet cable. After connecting the ethernet connection, you have to connect a WiFi connection simultaneously on the same device. Every computer or laptop is set to access a single connection by default.
To use both of the connections simultaneously, you have to configure some settings for downloading or uploading the data simultaneously, and configuring these settings to use both of the connections can be problematic.
As your system is designed to work with a single network at a time, doing this will confuse your system and make it hard to decide to pick which one over another first, and it will slow your internet connection speed. Ultimately, using an ethernet connection while using WiFi on an individual system will make your internet connection slower instead of double connection speed up.
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Conclusion
Remember to look over the necessary factors before you place your order on the 26 port gigabit switch. Filter the best one from the tons of choices around you. Be wise and choose the gigabit switch from the above suggestions, according to your professional or personal needs.
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