Zyxel Networks, the leading provider of reliable AI and cloud technology solutions for home and business, introduces the new Layer 2 hybrid switch series GS2220. They will provide high performance network infrastructure for business and educational environments. The simplicity and flexibility of use comes from the fact that three management modes are supported: Nebula Cloud, the CLI Web Interface or Simple Network Management Protocol SNMP .
The GS2220 series is the successor to Zyxel’s most popular GS2210 series Layer 2 switches.
The COVID-19 pandemic emergency highlighted just how important flexible management options are today that can be applied to all scenarios,” said Crowley Wu, vice president of Zyxel Networking SBU. – If your company has a robust network with fully automated provisioning, the systems administrators serving it will be able to easily comply with social distancing rules in these challenging times.
The main advantage of the new switch with three modes of use is the support for management from the free cloud Zyxel Nebula, allowing the system administrator through a single centralized interface remotely and at any time to manage his network and monitor its status. Nebula is designed with today’s business in mind: it significantly improves the efficiency of network equipment deployment, setup and configuration, and network analysis capabilities.
All GS2220 switch models come with a free one-year Nebula Pro license, giving you more network management and monitoring options than the basic Nebula. That way their customers will have plenty of time to experience the full benefits of remote centralized management from the cloud in the Pro version, and be fully prepared to migrate to the cloud in the future as needed.
If for some reason the system administrator does not use cloud control, he can use local Web/CLI control, providing detailed control of all settings and full read/write parameter access. Or management via SNMP, which uses a Management Information Base MIB with information about all network components, allowing for easy management of devices of different vendors deployed in the network.
Stable and quiet operation, small footprint
The demand for Layer 2 switches is steadily increasing as converged networks move from data, to voice, video, e-commerce and other applications. To effectively serve converged networks, Layer 2 switches need to be very stable, so Zyxel has applied hardware and software refinements to the GS2220 that improve the resiliency of the device. Also in these switches to improve reliability twice the maximum allowable value of electrostatic discharge and four times the maximum allowable surge voltage.
In addition, the new switches have no fan, or use a fan with intelligent control, so they are nearly silent and can be placed directly in the office environment near employee workstations. Finally, the GS2220 Series reduces the size of its enclosure compared to other PoE switches, creating less space in the server rack or on the desktop.
Flexibility on all ports
The GS2220 Series switches offer not only manageability, but also port flexibility. The higher models of the series have 44 Gigabit RJ45 ports and a combined Gigabit copper/optical port or two SFP ports. The lower port density models are designed to provide advanced Layer 2 management features on the network access layer.
This sounds interesting! How does Zyxel’s hybrid switch work and what are the three management modes it supports?
What are the advantages of having a hybrid switch that supports three management modes?
Having a hybrid switch that supports three management modes offers several advantages. Firstly, it provides flexibility in managing the switch according to the specific requirements of the network environment. The three management modes typically include a web-based graphical user interface (GUI), a command-line interface (CLI), and SNMP-based management.
The web-based GUI allows for easier and intuitive management, as it provides a graphical representation of the switch and its configuration options. This mode is particularly useful for less technical users or those who prefer a visual approach to network management.
The CLI, on the other hand, offers more advanced and granular control over the switch’s configurations. It allows network administrators to directly enter commands and access a wider range of settings and features. This mode is ideal for experienced administrators who prefer a command-line interface for efficient and precise management.
Lastly, the SNMP-based management mode allows for seamless integration with network management software and infrastructure. This mode enables monitoring and control of the switch’s performance, generating alerts or notifications for network issues. It facilitates centralized management of multiple switches and promotes efficient network administration.
Overall, a hybrid switch with support for these three management modes ensures flexibility, ease of use, advanced control, and integration capabilities, making network management more efficient and adaptable to varying user preferences and network requirements.
What are the three management modes supported by Zyxel’s hybrid switch and how do they differ from each other?