Network switches connect users, devices, servers, storage, access points, cameras, IoT systems, and sites across the enterprise, forming the foundation for connectivity, segmentation, performance, and network operations.
The platform you choose affects how quickly teams onboard devices, troubleshoot outages, apply VLAN and policy changes, support wireless upgrades, and maintain resilience from the access layer to the core and data centre.
As a partner to vendors including Cisco, HPE, Juniper, and Arista, we specify switching against your requirements, so you're not overpaying for port density, uplinks, or features you will not use, or undersized on PoE, resilience, and room for growth.
Modern network switches are built to handle the demands placed on today's networks, from bandwidth and security to cloud-managed operations.
Telemetry from Catalyst Center, Aruba Central, Mist AI, and CloudVision helps teams see congestion, faults, and usage across high-speed networks.
Automation tools reduce manual configuration by using templates, policy workflows, and network-wide visibility instead of switch-by-switch changes.
Cisco ISE, ClearPass, and segmentation policies help control who and what can connect before risk spreads across the network.
Application and user experience data helps networks support voice, video, cloud apps, IoT, and AI workloads with fewer blind spots.
Meraki Dashboard, Aruba Central, Mist Cloud, and CloudVision give teams cloud-style visibility without relying only on local command-line access.
Fabric automation, assurance, and lifecycle analytics make it easier to expand networks while keeping policy and configuration consistent.
Network switches adapt to different environments, each with distinct devices, performance demands, security controls, and operational requirements.
Reliable connectivity for users, access points, phones, cameras, and building systems, with strong PoE, segmentation, monitoring, and troubleshooting.
High-throughput switching for servers, storage, virtualisation hosts, and firewalls, with low latency, redundancy, and automation-ready configuration.
Secure, remotely managed connectivity for POS, stock systems, cameras, signage, guest Wi-Fi, and back-office devices across stores.
Resilient switching for ward devices, clinical workstations, access points, cameras, and medical IoT, with segmentation and rapid fault resolution.
Available, segmented connectivity for office IT, production systems, cameras, scanners, and industrial devices in demanding operating environments.
Dependable switching for guest Wi-Fi, PMS, VoIP, CCTV, access control, and conference spaces with secure network separation.
Getting these areas right will help your business avoid costly rework and gaps in coverage, performance, security or lifecycle support.
Check whether PoE Switches provide enough budget for access points, cameras and PoE++ endpoints without oversizing the network edge.
Match 10GbE Ethernet Switches, uplinks and port speeds to current traffic patterns and near-term growth before deployment.
Decide how Network Management & Automation will handle configuration, templates, firmware, alerts and multi-site changes.
Confirm Zero Trust & Secure Access requirements for authentication, VLANs and policy enforcement before selecting a switching platform.
Use Observability & Monitoring to track errors, congestion, device health and link status before issues affect users.
Factor Vendor Support & Lifecycle Services into warranty terms, firmware support windows, spares availability and roadmap fit before committing.
Each switching layer does a different job. Knowing where access switching stops and core or data centre switching starts helps you specify the right platform and avoid paying for capabilities your team does not need at the edge.
| Access Switching | Core Switching | Data Centre Switching | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What connects to it | End-user devices, access points, cameras, phones, printers and edge equipment at the point users connect | Aggregates access switches and routes traffic across buildings, sites or major network zones | Connects servers, storage, virtualisation hosts and application platforms inside the data centre |
| Where your team notices it | User experience, device onboarding, Power over Ethernet budgets, segmentation and local policy enforcement | Overall site resilience, routing stability, capacity between network areas and consistent policy movement | Application performance, east-west traffic, storage access, virtualisation scale and workload mobility |
| Typical decision trigger | More users, new wireless, higher Power over Ethernet demand, tighter segmentation or better visibility at the edge | Campus growth, higher inter-VLAN traffic, resilience gaps, routing redesign or scaling beyond access-layer capacity | Server growth, virtualisation, storage traffic, application latency, AI workloads or a move to leaf-spine design |
| Who usually manages it | Network teams supporting users, branches, campuses and distributed locations that need clear remote visibility | Senior network teams responsible for routing, resilience, change control and site-wide policy consistency | Data centre, network and platform teams coordinating application uptime, security zones and infrastructure scale |
| What it is not built for | Acting as the main routing core or carrying large data centre workloads | Directly connecting every endpoint or replacing specialised data centre switching | General user access at the campus edge or simple branch connectivity |
| Explore Access Switching | Explore Core Switching | Explore Data Centre Switching |
Arista, Juniper, HPE Aruba, and Cisco platforms each suit different network designs, operating models, and workloads. Here's where each one fits best.
Best for: Teams wanting one NOS and telemetry model from the data centre out to the campus edge without introducing separate operational workflows.
Strengths
Best for: Teams wanting AI-driven operations and consistent Junos automation across campus and data centre, rather than managing separate tools and workflows.
Strengths
Best for: Teams wanting one modern OS and cloud console from access to core and into the data centre without fragmenting management.
Strengths
Best for: Enterprises wanting one vendor across campus and data centre, with identity-based policy, mature tooling, and broad operational support coverage.
Strengths
Unsure which platform is the right fit? Our specialists can assess crucial factors such as workloads, compatibility, operational priorities and future growth to recommend the most suitable approach.
We’re trusted by IT teams in enterprise environments, data centres and complex service provider networks. Our role is to help you make the right network switching decisions, with practical support across Cisco, HPE Aruba, Juniper and Arista.
Network Switching Services
From architecture and deployment to optimisation and modernisation, we help you build resilient, high-performance networks that support users, devices and future growth.
Design resilient switching infrastructure with the right topology, redundancy, port capacity, scalability and future growth in mind.
Learn more about Architecture & Design →Replace legacy switches, migrate configurations and deploy new switching platforms with minimal disruption and seamless integration into your network.
Learn more about Migration & Deployment →Assess switch performance, resilience, firmware, configuration and network health to improve reliability, performance and operational efficiency.
Learn more about Assessment & Optimisation →Plan technology refreshes, replace end-of-life hardware and modernise switching infrastructure with a structured roadmap for future growth.
Learn more about Lifecycle & Modernisation →We help you compare suitable network switching platforms across Cisco, HPE Aruba, Juniper and Arista — balancing performance, licensing, availability, lifecycle status and total cost.
Match port density, PoE, uplinks and performance to your requirements.
Get the right licensing and support for your environment.
Access competitive pricing and improved lead times.
Maximise value from existing equipment and refresh with ease.
Need help with network switches?
Speak to our experts about design, deployment, optimisation or modernisation of your network.
Network Switches form the foundation for campus, data centre, and wider enterprise connectivity.
The related solutions below connect switching choices with secure, resilient, and manageable networks across users, devices, applications, and sites.
Wired and wireless campus networks delivering reliable connectivity, segmentation, and operational consistency across offices and sites.
Explore Campus Networking ›High-speed switching, routing, and fabric design supporting server, storage, virtualisation, and AI workloads at scale.
Explore Data Centre Networking ›Switching, routing, wireless, and network services that keep users, sites, devices, and applications securely connected.
Explore Networking ›Browse the full range available from each manufacturer we partner with.
Cisco Networking unifies switching, wireless, routing and security for resilient estates with simpler lifecycle planning.
View Cisco Networking ›
HPE Aruba Networking simplifies wired, wireless and WAN management with AI insights and consistent security.
View HPE Aruba Networking ›
Juniper Networking combines Junos consistency with Mist AI to automate operations and resolve issues faster.
View Juniper Networking ›If you're specifying network switches, these categories cover the access, core, data-centre and cloud-managed parts of the switching stack.
Centrally managed switching and wireless with visibility and control across every site from a single console.
Browse modelsSpine-leaf and high-density fabric switching for server-to-server traffic, storage, and virtualised workloads at scale.
Browse modelsHigh-throughput switching for routing between VLANs, sites, and the access layer, built for the network backbone.
Browse modelsEdge switching for connecting users, phones, access points, cameras, and devices across office or campus networks.
Browse modelsChoose network switches by matching site role, port speed, Power over Ethernet requirements, uplink capacity, redundancy, security policy, and management model at scale.
Start by mapping current and expected needs across access, aggregation, or core roles, including port count, port speed, PoE budget, resilience, and security integration. Vendor ecosystem fit also affects operational complexity, especially where wireless, security, or central management platforms are already established. Use the platform comparison above to check which option aligns best with your estate, management model, and refresh plans.
Leading switch vendors differ in operating systems, automation tooling, security integration, cloud management options, data centre strength, and support ecosystem.
At a given tier, switching performance is often broadly comparable, so the bigger differences are usually in management approach, security integration, and automation capability. Cisco Catalyst is strong for identity-based policy, Aruba CX for centralised management, and Juniper EX for Mist AI-led operations. Use the platform comparison above to compare the main options against management model, security requirements, and site profile.
Switch platform choice affects management, security, monitoring, segmentation, automation, support, and consistency across branch, campus, data centre, and service provider networks.
Centrally managed or cloud-managed platforms can reduce day-to-day workload across multiple sites compared with standalone command-line administration. The switch also shapes how consistently the organisation can apply access control, segmentation, and identity-led policy where devices actually connect.
Replace switches when support status, port speeds, Power over Ethernet capacity, uplink bandwidth, redundancy, or management tooling no longer meets business requirements.
Replacement is usually the better choice where switches are near end-of-support, cannot power newer devices, lack required security features, or sit outside the chosen management platform. Upgrading only makes sense where the hardware remains supported, correctly sized, and operationally aligned.
Yes, mixed-vendor switching environments can be supported during refresh when interoperability, management visibility, migration order, and support boundaries are planned.
Standard networking protocols usually allow old and new switches to coexist during transition, but central management and advanced automation benefits often remain vendor-specific until migration is complete. A phased refresh helps improve security and control without forcing unnecessary full-estate replacement. For switching refreshes, mixed-vendor estates, or phased migration planning, speak to our networking experts about the best next step.
Specify switches around access speed, uplink capacity, Power over Ethernet budget, stacking or fabric resilience, redundant power, and management integration across enterprise estates.
Set specifications according to the switch role and outage impact, covering both physical resilience and appropriate protocol-level resilience for critical tiers. A clearer specification reduces bottlenecks, supports connected devices properly, and makes operational planning easier across the estate.
