Linksys intros business grade smart switches

RUSHDEN, UK: Linksys announced, at the Interop show in Las Vegas, the expansion of its brand new business networking line-up with six new Smart Switches.

The new Smart Switch line-up is available in 8, 18 or 26 Gigabit Ethernet-port configurations with or without Power over Ethernet+ to provide power to connected devices such as Wi-Fi access points or IP security cameras.

The new Linksys Smart Switches include network management features that are not found in unmanaged switches such as various QoS features and DHCP Snooping to further enhance network performance and security. The new Linksys Smart Switches are energy efficient by powering down ports when connected devices are inactive and also detect the cable length of connected devices to adjust the power accordingly.

The new Linksys smart switches include features for expansion, enhancement and security of networking structures, making it an ideal solution for demanding requirements and scenarios such as load-balancing or IP-telephony. Quality of Service (QoS) features ensure that traffic is prioritised to deliver the best possible user experience for real-time applications like voice and video along with bandwidth-intensive graphic/video file uploads and downloads.

Multiple high-bandwidth trunks between switches enhance availability and redundancy while Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and Storm Control features help to control planned or inadvertent cable loops. Network security is also enhanced through port authentication and MAC-based port security, requiring client authentication before any data is passed on.

The new switches come in 8, 18 and 26 Gigabit-port versions with and without Power over Ethernet. The LGS308P, LGS318P and LGS326P support the latest 802.3at (PoE+) standards and provide up to double the power budget per Gigabit Ethernet port while offering 802.3af (PoE) backward-compatibility. Power over Ethernet reduces electrical wiring costs, simplifies installation, and supports network devices such as IP cameras and wireless access points in optimal indoor and outdoor locations.