Choose A High Performance Switch; Layer 2 Or Layer 3 Switches; Considerations; Number Of Ports - ATEN RCMDVI00BT User Manual

Choose a High Performance Switch

A high performance network switch is the means of a successful RCM/KE
setup. When choosing a network switch, first select the type:

Layer 2 or Layer 3 Switches

You'll need to determine whether you need a layer 2 or a layer 3 switch for
your RCM/KE network. Layer 3 switches cost more than layer 2 switches
because they are more complex and handle more network traffic. The best way
to calculate which type of switch you need is to first determine if you will have
a dedicated network for the RCM/KE devices or if the RCM/KE devices will
be on a network that shares throughput with other network equipment such as
computers, servers and printers. If they share the network with other devices its
best to consider a layer 3 switch and use layer 2 switches exclusively for the
RCM/KE device connections. For larger installations we recommend using
Layer 3 switches. The major differences are:
Layer 3 Switch: IP addresses in packets are examined and intelligent
forwarding decisions are made. On a larger network broken into subnets
across long distances, a layer 3 switch becomes the best choice as they
can improve network efficiency and provide better traffic flow. They
are better at directing more traffic to different locations on a larger more
complex network, and with layer two switches working below them.
Layer 2 Switch: Packets are examined and forwarded using only the
MAC address. If you have a small central network, a layer 2 switch
should do the job. If the network is exclusive and will only transmit the
bandwidth of RCM/KE devices, layer 2 switches with the correct
settings can get the job done effectively.

Considerations

Number of ports

Choose a switch that has enough ports to match the number of RCM/KE
devices you will be installing. Switches typically come in 5, 8, 10, 16, 24, 28,
48, and 52-port configurations. If you are installing 13 RCM/KE transmitters
and 13 KE receivers, you will need to purchase a switch with at least 28 ports.

Stackable verse Standalone

Stackable switches allow you to easily manage and configure ports spanning
across multiple switches that the RCM/KE devices are connected through. This
provides a centralized method to configure and troubleshoot the initial setup of
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