Managed vs Unmanaged Switches: What You Actually Need

Are you buying Ethernet switches based on port count and price, treating them like power strips? You're not alone. In this episode, we break down the real difference between managed and unmanaged switches — from the CPU and software stack that defines a managed switch to the killer features like VLANs, QoS, and link aggregation that actually matter. We explore the spectrum from $20 dumb switches to fully managed enterprise gear, and help you figure out where on that continuum your home network actually lives. If you've ever wondered whether you need a managed switch or just want more ports, this one's for you.