Why Switches are Still Needed Despite Moving to the Cloud

Many businesses are moving their operations to the cloud to reduce IT costs, streamline processes, and improve scalability. Managed Service Providers (MSPs) play a crucial role in this transition by ensuring a smooth transition from on-premises infrastructure to cloud-based systems. However, it's important to remember that migrating to the cloud doesn’t mean eliminating all network hardware—especially when it comes to your local devices like printers, workstations, VoIP phones, and Internet of Things (IoT) endpoints.

The Ethernet switch remains a critical piece of hardware in cloud environments. Whether your business operates on a 24-port switch or a larger 48-port switch, these switches are still needed to connect your devices to the Internet and ensure reliable communication. Let’s break down why Ethernet switches remain crucial in cloud environments and how to determine the right switching solution for your business needs.

The Role of Ethernet Switches in Cloud Environments

In traditional setups, an Ethernet switch serves as the foundation of your internal network, allowing devices like computers, printers, and phones to communicate with each other. Even if your servers are now hosted in the cloud, local devices like workstations, printers, VoIP phones, and IoT devices still need to connect to the internet. This is where your 24-port network switch or 48-port network switch comes in, ensuring that all local devices can communicate efficiently with the cloud.

Even after migrating your workloads to the cloud, you'll need a reliable switch to manage connections for your local devices. For example, how many ports does a switch have? A standard 24-port switch can handle 24 devices, while a larger 48-port switch can manage twice that. Businesses with significant hardware or IoT systems may require 48-port switches to ensure ample capacity for growth.

Why Ethernet Switches Are Still Essential

Cloud migration can reduce some hardware costs, but it doesn’t eliminate the need for switches. If you rely on IoT devices like smart security systems, connected workstations, or even VoIP phones, these devices still need to connect to the internet via switches. An Ethernet switch will route traffic between your local network and cloud-based services, ensuring that local devices can perform efficiently and access the necessary cloud resources.

Choosing the right network switch is vital for businesses looking to maintain scalability and reliability. A 24-port switch may be enough for smaller operations to support the number of connected devices. However, for larger companies with more complex needs, a 48-port network switch or even a 48-port gigabit switch may be the better choice to ensure fast, reliable data transfer for all connected devices. How many ports does a switch have? Determining this depends on your device count and future scalability needs.

Here’s why switches remain indispensable, even in cloud environments:

• Printers: Cloud-hosted print management still requires Ethernet switch ports to connect local printers.
• VoIP Phones: Even with cloud-based PBX systems, switch ports are required to connect VoIP phones to the internet.
• IoT Devices: Many IoT endpoints rely on network switches for internet connectivity, whether using a 24-port switch or a 48-port gigabit switch.
• Workstations: Desktops and laptops still need to connect to the internet via a COM port switch or similar hardware.

Scaling Your Network: How Many Ports Do You Need?

Selecting the right network switch for your business depends on the number of devices you need to connect. How many ports on a switch are required? Common choices include 24-port network switches for smaller companies and 48-port switches for those needing greater capacity. Some switches, like the best 48 port networking switches, offer gigabit speeds to support high-bandwidth needs, ensuring your devices can access cloud services without lag.

Considerations:

• Device Count: Count how many endpoints, such as workstations, printers, VoIP phones, and IoT devices, will need access to the network. A 24-port switch for business might handle smaller networks, but larger setups may benefit from best switches for business networks with 48 ports.
• Future Growth: Always plan for future scalability. If your network is growing, opting for a 48-port switch may be the better choice to avoid frequent upgrades.
• Cisco Switches: For businesses needing higher-end solutions, brands like Cisco offer options like the Cisco 24-port switch and Cisco 24-port network switch POE, which can provide additional functionality like power over Ethernet (PoE) for connected devices.

Final Thoughts: Cloud Doesn’t Mean Hardware-Free

While moving to the cloud can simplify your IT infrastructure, network hardware like Ethernet switches will remain a crucial part of your technology stack. Whether you need a 24-port switch or a larger 48-port gigabit switch, having the right number of ports is essential for connecting local devices like workstations, VoIP phones, and IoT endpoints to the internet.

Working with an MSP can help you determine the right network switch setup for your needs, ensuring you can transition to the cloud without sacrificing performance or scalability. Ethernet switches will continue to be the unsung heroes of your network, helping your devices stay connected to the cloud and to each other.

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