What’s a 12-Port Switch?

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A 12-port switch connects multiple devices to a single modem, allowing for a local area network and internet access. It can be used for small businesses or larger companies and can include signal amplifiers and surge protectors. The term can also refer to hubs that allow connectivity to 12 or more devices.

A 12-port switch is a device used as a hub to allow multiple computers or similar devices to have network connectivity and internet access through a single modem. The term 12 port switch comes from the switch itself having ports to connect 12 different devices to it and thus to each other. These ports can be used to establish multiple computers on a single local area network and provide those computers with access to the Internet through a single modem, as well as access to other devices such as printers, scanners and miscellaneous input devices.

Port switches, often referred to as hubs, are devices that allow local area networks to be created between multiple computers and other devices. Such a network allows a company to connect several computers for easier transmission of information and file sharing between machines. With a 12-port switch, this type of network can be established between 12 computers or similar devices, which can be useful for a small business or larger company to use in single departments or floors of buildings.

While the name itself certainly implies a limitation to 12 devices, the term can sometimes be used as a general term for any hub that will allow connectivity to 12 or more devices. These are often extended versions of the basic 12 and can allow 24, 48 or more devices to be networked together and connected via a single hub. Such devices can certainly be expensive, but they include features intended to increase the productivity of a network created through such devices.

A 12-port switch may often have signal amplifiers built into the device to allow information to be transferred between machines faster and more efficiently. This is particularly beneficial in work environments where large files may be sent or voice conferencing over the network is permitted. Surge protectors may also be included to ensure that if some type of surge occurs due to an electrical accident, the surge isn’t carried through the entire network to damage every connected machine.

Hubs and more complicated machines can be used to create more advanced networks that allow for more users or more diverse infrastructure. A 12-port switch is often used for simpler networks built around easy connectivity and network management. Due to the expense, however, simpler hubs or routers may be preferable for users who only want to connect a few machines together.




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