What are the disadvantages of using a network switch?

Question

Hi, I am currently creating a presentation for my Networking class, I have to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each piece of networking hardware. I had no trouble with this assignment until I reached the switch were I couldn't find any disadvantages anywhere after searching for hours so now am at a stand still, I would be very grateful if someone could highlight and explain the disadvantages of network switches so I can finish this assignment.

Answer 1

A switch is used as a mechanism for adding extra Ethernet ports to a network.



Disadvantages:



You need an extra power outlet to power the switch.



As the switch is a store and forward device, it will introduce a small delay to packets passing through it. Typically, the delay will be around 0.15 mS for a maximum sized packet for 100 Mhz Ethernet connections.



I hope this helps.

Answer 2

A really cheap switch with lots of ports may not have the "backbone" bandwidth. Thus, if it is really busy with several ports that saturate the processor, other packets will have to be delayed.

This is rare, most switches are designed to handle each port at full speeds internally.

Also, since switches are store and forward devices, they cannot be used for packet sniffing like a hub can. Again, this is not common, since in commercial switches, they have more smarts and can be set up to log information on a port by port basis.

Otherwise, not much disadvantages for switches, they are efficient devices.

Answer 3

A switch doesn't really have any disadvantages until you start comparing it to other networking equipment like a router, firewall, etc. And I wouldn't really call those disadvantages b/c a switch isn't a router, firewall, bridge, etc.