oosername

That certain consumer manufacturers of networking equipment are using the words, "Websmart" or "Web Smart," in their marketing, doesn't mean that's actually a thing. If D-Link calls a router, a Web 2.0 Router or a Deep Web-capable Router, that's still not a thing.

That's so weird, because that's exactly what we do. Of course you need a 14 x 14 Strongbox or some such plastic boxy in-wall box thing, but they're easy enough to retrofit I get it, you can't velcro it up to the back of the TV, but we're the pros here. We make holes and stick things in them and after a few choices words for the plumbers or co-workers, we have a technological marvel on our hands.

First, don't call it a "websmart switch." That's not actually a thing. TP-Link's new Jetstream switches look pretty sexy. If you want to future-proof yourself a bit, the TL-SG3210XHP-M2, has (2) 10GE SFP+ and (8) 2.5Gbps POE+ ports. They don't make a larger switch with 2.5's yet. MicroTik has a wide selection of switches if you're comfortable with a more extensive and less simplistic interface. They're pretty famous with us nerds for their software-based routers. My personal favorite is a used Cisco or Aruba 48-Port POE for $60. You could charge a car with their POE budgets. But a lot of the config is done in CLI. There is a ton of help on how to set them up. Or don't. Just plug them in and they'll work too. Or a Dell Enterprise switch. If you want something that isn't as involved as an enterprise product, but not as basic as a Best Buy model, Netgear makes some pretty good layered switches with accessible UI/UX. Have fun with it!

I think we need to tighten up our definitions here a little bit. All switches operate at Layer 2 using MAC Addresses. A Layer 3 Switch, works on both Layer 2 and Layer 3. Layer 3 of course is Routing. L3 Switches work with IP Addresses themselves. A L3 Switch isn't doing anything different with L2 traffic than a L2 managed switch does. That's why Araknis uses the same manual for the L2 210 and the L3 310. Or they're just lazy. A Managed L2 Switch then, is exactly that. There are no Almost-Managed L2 Switches. Some have better or worse features of course. The advantage to L3 is speed. There are some things you can do with L2 of course. Although if you're router --> managed switch --> unmanaged, there's only so much you can do.