Buy Gigabit Switch: 2 x 24 Port Switch or 1 x 48 Port Switch

As for the issue of Gigabit network setups for more than 24 connections, we usually stick in the dilemma of choosing from different scenarios of Gigabit switch: deploying 2 x 24 port switch or 1 x 48 port switch, which one to take? We are here to weight their pros and cons for your selection guide.

Gigabit Switch: 2 x 24 Port Switch or 1 x 48 Port Switch Overview

Budget is always a big concern before touching other factors. It is somehow a common sense that buying 2 x 24 port switch costs less than a 48 port switch. Thus many people go for 2 x 24 port switch for cost savings. In fact, that’s not always the same case. For example, buying one S3800-48T4S 48 port switch ($499.00) will save you over 200 dollars than two S3800-24T4S 24 port switch ($369.00) from FS.COM. For people pursuing high performance but with tight budget, just go for FS S3800-48T4S 48 port switch, which best satisfies your dual demands. Table below shows the model comparison of FS.COM 24 port switch and 48 port switch.

2 x 24 Port Switch Solution Pros and Cons

For concerning about 2 x 24 port switch solution, one should know its pros and cons. First, having 2 x 24 port switches gives you more sense of security. If one switch goes down, users in another switch will still be running. However the collapse of the sole 48 port switch will lead to the whole network’s breakdown. Second, 2 x 24 port switch solution provides more flexibility for separate placing. If you need to connect different devices in different floors or offices, 2 x 24 port switch is the way to go. However, it is noted that this solution has the cons of higher potential bottleneck, less available ports, extra uplink port demand, space consumption and management inconvenience.

1 x 48 Port Switch Solution Pros and Cons

Apart from the cost-efficiency of 1 x 48 port switch offered by FS.COM, there are other cases 1 x 48 port switch is preferred. First, 48 port switch is natural for high-performance network environments. In 2 x 24 port switch solution, due to one extra uplink port for connecting the 2 switches, a potential bottleneck/congestion is created and only 46 ports are left available for devices. So in cases only one uplink is available, 48 port switch is the choice. Second, 48 port switch has the pros of ease of management and rackspace saving even if 2 x 24 port switches are stacked. Third, one 48 port switch costs less power than the 2 x 24 port switch strategy. However, this solution will lose the redundancy for network outages and separate placing flexibility.

Gigabit Switch: 2 x 24 Port Switch or 1 x 48 Port Switch Selection Guide

After explaining the two solutions respectively, we made the following conclusion. For most concerns about performance, one should go for 1 x 48 port switch, which owns lower potential congestion at the uplink port and can travel at the wire speed. For concerns of space saving, management convenience and more port numbers, also go for the same way. But in terms of redundancy and separate placing, one should better take 2 x 24 port switch.

Table below lists the edges for selecting one solution over the other.

Solution	2 x 24 Port Switch	1 x 48 Port Switch
Edges over the other	Redundancy: one more backup switch in network outages	High performance: wire speed; power saving; less potential congestion
	Separate placing: different floors or offices	More available ports: saving extra uplink for connecting two switches
	Generally less cost	Rackspace saving; Ease of management

In some cases requiring for special conditions, pay attention to their built-in features. For instance, in quiet places such as classrooms, take fanless 24 port switches because 1 x 48 port switch can be noisy due to equipped fan radiator.

Conclusion

For Gigabit switch: 2 x 24 port switch or 1 x 48 port switch, it’s extremism to simply say which one is superior or inferior. We decide which to buy by the factors we are most concerned about and the respective edges over the other in each case. No matter you need 24 port switch or 48 port switch, FS.COM would be a good place to go.

Related Article: 2 * 8 Port Gigabit Switch or 1 * 16 Port Gigabit Switch