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What Should You Consider Before Upgrading a Small Network?
When a small network starts growing, upgrading the hardware can become more complicated than simply adding more ports.
There are several things to consider, such as the number of connected devices, bandwidth requirements, switch capacity, uplink speed, PoE requirements, VLAN support, and whether the network may need to handle more traffic in the future.
I also think the connection between the switches and the main router or server is important. For example, fiber uplinks can be useful when longer distances or higher bandwidth are required, while copper connections may still be enough for shorter runs.
Another question is whether it is better to stay with the same hardware ecosystem or mix equipment from different vendors. A single ecosystem can make management easier, but different vendors may offer better options for specific parts of the network.
For those who have upgraded a small or home lab network, what did you consider most important before choosing new hardware?
Did you focus mainly on uplink speed, port count, PoE, VLAN support, fiber connectivity, or future scalability?
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