Reevaluate Your Network Switches Due to Increased Demand of Wireless Technology

Your computer network is only as strong as its weakest link. One of the most overlooked links is your network switch, and if your IT infrastructure is becoming more dependent upon wireless technology, then you’re going to want to perhaps upgrade your network switches.

One of the most significant developments in IT networking comes from BYOD. By now, you’ve likely heard of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device); it’s a rapidly-growing IT trend where employees are bringing their personal devices to the office and using them for work purposes. Due to the influx of BYOD devices flooding office networks in recent years, a network switch predating BYOD probably isn’t up to BYOD’s increased demands. Consider these common examples from NetworkComputing of how mobile devices connected to your network can increase the strain placed on your switches:

More devices mean more bandwidth requirements, and it’s hard to figure out what the BYOD devices are going to be doing, whether it’s just plain download bandwidth, something time critical like VoIP, or a sudden surge like Apple iOS version updates. And once end users are tied to a new way of using devices, network teams are often forced to adapt. BYOD not only means bring your own devices but “because you’re overly demanding.”

It’s also worth noting that all of these BYOD devices are wireless and that a single employee may operate multiple wireless devices, like a laptop, smartphone, and maybe even their workstation. In a 2015 survey by ESG, it was shown that “more wireless endpoints is the foremost driver for network switch upgrades, with 44 percent of respondents rating the wireless deluge as a top factor.”

The same ESG survey rated speed as the second most significant reason for enterprises upgrading their network switches (33 percent). These days, companies are looking to get the maximum speed possible out of their WiFi and they’re turning to 802.11ac (gigabit wireless) in order to achieve it. If your business chooses to adopt gigabit wireless technology, you’re going to want to make sure that your network switches can handle the increased speed, which will more than likely require a switch upgrade.

At Preferred, we want to help your business take full advantage of your company’s wireless technology. The best way to do this is to make sure that your network can handle the increased traffic demands of BYOD and high-speed WiFi. If your network switches aren’t designed to accommodate this, then they will act as a bottleneck and prevent you from getting the most productivity possible.

Call us today at 708-781-7110 for an in-depth evaluation of your network to ensure that your switches and other network devices are up for the task of handling the latest IT solutions. We can even equip you with the latest wireless technology in order to provide your business with the competitive edge. At the end of the day, you don’t want the performance of your entire IT infrastructure to be hindered by something as minor as an outdated network switch. Remember, it’s better to be proactive about networking trends and to stay on top of upgrading your equipment, rather than upgrading only when you experience performance issues like lag and downtime. For all of your IT networking needs, Preferred can help!