Uplink
The number of Uplink connectors provided in the design of the switch.
“Uplink” in this case is not a type, but a connector specialization: this is the name of the network interface through which the switch (and network devices connected to it) communicate with external networks (including the Internet) or network segments. In other words, this is a kind of "gate" through which all traffic from the network segment served by the switch is transmitted further. Uplink, in particular, can be used to connect to a similar "switch" (for horizontal network expansion) or to a higher level device (like a core switch).
Accordingly, the number of Uplink connectors is the maximum number of external connections that the switch can provide without using additional equipment. The specific type of such a connector may be different, but this is usually one of the varieties of LAN or SFP; see "Uplink type" for details.
Uplink type
The type of connector(s) used as the Uplink interface on the switch.
For more information about such an interface, see above; Here we note that the same network ports are usually used as Uplink as for connecting individual devices to the switch. Here are the main options for such connectors:
— Fast Ethernet — LAN network connector (for twisted pair cables) supporting speeds up to 100 Mbit/s. This speed is considered low by modern standards, while the Uplink port places increased demands on throughput - after all, traffic from all devices served by the switch passes through it. Therefore, in this role, Fast Ethernet ports are used mainly in inexpensive and outdated models.
— Gigabit Ethernet — LAN connector supporting speeds up to 1 Gbit/s. This speed is often sufficient even for a fairly extensive network, while the connectors themselves are relatively inexpensive.
— 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet — LAN connector supporting speeds up to 2.5 Gbit/s.
— 10Gigabit Ethernet — LAN connector supporting speeds up to 10 Gbit/s. Such features allow you to work comfortably even with very large volumes of traffic, but they significantly affect the price of the switch. Therefore, this option is rare, mainly in high-end models.
— SFP. A connector for a fiber optic cable that supports speeds of about 1 Gbit/s. At the same time, over Gigabit Ethernet, which has a similar throughput, this connector has one noticeable advantage - a...longer connection range (usually up to 550 m).
- SFP+. Development of the SFP standard described above. Switches usually provide a connection speed of 10 Gbit/s; like the original standard, it noticeably exceeds the effective range of an Ethernet connection. On the other hand, the real need for such speeds does not arise so often, and SFP+ is quite expensive. Therefore, the presence of such Uplink connectors is typical mainly for high-end models with a large number of ports.
- SFP28. Another development of SFP with increased throughput up to 25 Gbit/s.
- QSFP / QSFP+. The fastest SFPs up to 40 Gbit/s.
Note also that the connectors described above (except perhaps Fast Ethernet) are rarely used as the only type of Uplink input. Combinations of electrical and fiber optic ports—SFP/Gigabit Ethernet and SFP+/10Gigabit Ethernet—have become noticeably more widespread. This provides versatility in connection, allowing you to use the most convenient type of cable in a given situation; and if necessary, of course, you can use all Uplink inputs at once. However, it is worth considering that in some models, Ethernet and SFP interfaces can be combined in one physical connector. So before purchasing, it doesn’t hurt to clarify this nuance separately.
There are also switches that use a combination of two types of SFP - SFP/SFP+; however, there are few such models and they are mainly of the professional level.
Power consumption
Power consumed by network equipment during operation. Knowing the indicator of energy consumption, you can, for example, calculate the battery life of equipment from an uninterruptible power supply or choose a suitable “uninterruptible power supply”.
