Managed vs Unmanaged Switch
Definition
An unmanaged switch has no configuration interface and forwards all traffic in the same way. A managed switch can be configured and monitored, with functions such as QoS, VLANs, IGMP snooping, port mirroring, spanning tree (RSTP) and per-port traffic statistics. Audinate recommends QoS on every Dante network and requires it on 100 Mbit/s and mixed networks, which calls for a managed switch, and advises disabling Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE), a setting that many unmanaged switches do not expose. Systems that combine several services, multicast traffic or redundancy are normally built on managed switches.
In the field
On an unmanaged switch, a system carrying Dante with NDI, sACN or other multicast has no means of giving priority to audio or confining multicast, and the switch provides no data for diagnosis. Managed switches with QoS and IGMP snooping configured are therefore the usual choice as soon as several services share the network. Several manufacturers offer managed switches with preset AV profiles for Dante.
Related lessons
Sources
- Audinate FAQ, Networks and Switches : switches managés préférés pour configurer la QoS et l'IGMP ; Gigabit fortement recommandé · support.getdante.com
- Audinate FAQ, When do I need to use QoS in a Dante network? QoS obligatoire sur les réseaux comportant des appareils 100 Mbit/s, recommandée sur tous les réseaux Dante · support.getdante.com
- Audinate FAQ, Can I use EEE (Energy Efficient Ethernet or Green Ethernet) in my Dante network? L'EEE dégrade la synchronisation et provoque des décrochages, il est à désactiver · support.getdante.com
- Audinate/Yamaha, Dante Network Design Guide, QoS : configuration DSCP et files à priorité stricte sur switch managé · usa.yamaha.com
- Yamaha, SWX2310P-28GT, Features : switch managé doté de profils ProAV préréglés (Dante, NDI) qui règlent QoS, EEE et IGMP snooping · usa.yamaha.com