Netgear FS524S Whitepaper - Page 5

start passing data through the failed port once that port becomes operational. Reliability Access to information is critical to any company's success. A switch's reliability, therefore, offers companies the security of network uptime along with the timely delivery of information. Ease of Installation and Maintenance Faced with the challenges of creating and maintaining a reliable, highperformance network infrastructure with limited personnel and budget, small offices require equipment that is easy to install, manage, and maintain; cost-effective; scalable; and dependable. Choosing a stackable switch that offers ease of use and set up, therefore, should allow any level IT personnel to install and configure the switch. Seamless Integration Another important feature to look for in a switch is its ability to integrate new technology seamlessly. A well-designed switch allows small offices to adapt easily as their computing needs change and new technologies emerge. Conclusion Implementing a stackable switching system can help small offices migrate from shared to switched networks while maintaining current performance, protecting existing infrastructure investments, and establishing a foundation ready for future network. Stackable switches offer an attractive way to relieve bandwidth bottlenecks and provide faster response times for networked PC users. A quick and cost-effective solution, stackable switches are also easy to deploy in an existing or new network environment. Installation is simply a matter of plugging the switch in and attaching devices to its ports. Bandwidth problems are promptly resolved without wiring changes or any upgrading of individual desktop PCs. This ease of configuration is comparable to hubs, making stackable switches an appealing choice especially for companies with small LANs. With new switches designed specifically for connecting devices and desktops, small offices no longer have to invest in expensive and inflexible switches engineered primarily for larger workgroup environments and backbone implementations. Instead, they can deploy scalable, affordable switches that increase the aggregate bandwidth of the network by boosting throughput to the workgroups that need it most. 5