Network switches overview
This post is part of our series on the DfE’s Technology Standards and covers the standards for the network switches in education.
Switches connect network devices together, allowing these devices (including other switches) to communicate with each other. They can also provide Power Over Ethernet (PoE) powering devices such as IP Phones, CCTV cameras and wireless access points.
Summary of recommended standards from the DfE
The DfE make a number of recommendations relating to the technical capabilities of your network infrastructure, covering performance, management, security and resilience. The outline of these recommendations is below:
- The network switches should provide fast, reliable and secure connections to all users, on both wired and wireless connections
- You should have a platform that allows you to centrally manage your network infrastructure
- Network switches should have security features to protect your users and your data from unauthorised access
- Core network switches should be connected to at least one uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to reduce the impact of outages or power surges
When should you meet the standards?
For the upgrade of switches, the recommendations are to meet the standard when you need to replace your current solution that is underperforming or unsupported. For implementing security features and installing a UPS, this is recommended during a scheduled maintenance window or following a configuration review.
How should you meet the standards?
Technical details of each standard are provided by the DfE and these are listed below:
- Switches should provide a minimum of 1Gbps connectivity
- Multi-gigabit ports should be available for devices and infrastructure equipment that needs high bandwidth
- Where switches are stacked, they should support at least 40Gbps throughput
- Connections linking switches should be 2x 10Gbps and cabled links should take different routes where possible
- Dedicated stacking ports should be used
- Switches providing PoE should follow IEEE 802.3af.at or bt
- Switches should have a minimum 512MB core memory, support at least 16,000 MAC addresses, allow spanning tree protocols and use non-blocking switch fabric
- Switches that connect to wireless access points, CCTV and phones must comply with the correct PoE requirements of the device manufacturer
- Switches should be Energy Efficient Ethernet compliant to a minimum of 802.3az or equivalent
- Switches should be under manufacturer warranty and support (with updates for at least 5 years on new equipment)
- Network access control and policy management should be implemented
- Central management tools to configure and monitor switches should be implemented
- Audit logs of configuration changes should be kept
- Documentation of administrative accounts should be regularly checked, updated and audited
Related standards
The network cabling of your infrastructure can impact the ability for you to meet the switching standards and this should be considered alongside any upgrades you are planning. Your wireless network is also dependent on the switching infrastructure and should be considered at the same time. See our other posts in this series:
- Network cabling standards for schools and colleges
- Wireless network standards in schools
- Cyber security standards in schools
Implementing the standards
Implementation of these standards is reliant on having the available resources to fund the upgrades, in terms of hardware procurement, planning, configuration, deployment and ongoing management. If budgets are limited, you should undertake a review of which areas are most in need of an upgrade, in relation to switches, cabling and wireless system.
Where there are limited budgets, you may be able to identify bottlenecks that cause general network slowness, and prioritise upgrades as needed.
Read the standards in detail
You can find the DfE’s standards in full by following the link: Switch Standards for Schools and Colleges.
How we can help
We design, configure and deploy network infrastructure solutions across a variety of schools and Trusts. We are partners with leading manufacturers of the hardware that meets the standards and have teams dedicated to designing and deploying solutions from cabling through to infrastructure configuration and management.