A campus access switch connects desks, phones, access points and cameras. Start with the connected devices, required features and wiring closet constraints, then compare exact switch configurations.
Count ports and power
List existing devices and planned additions, their port speeds and their maximum power requirements from the manufacturer data sheets. Choose an explicit growth allowance for your project.
Check both the PoE capability of each port and the total power budget with the proposed power supplies installed. For access points, verify whether the available power permits all required radios and features. Do not infer power needs from the Wi-Fi generation alone; see Wi-Fi 6/6E/7 access points.
Check uplinks and resilience
Record realistic busy-hour traffic, uplink distances and the existing fibre or copper cabling. Compare required uplink speeds, transceiver support and the number of connections to upstream switches. Include required modules and cables in the bill of materials.
If you need stacking or another resilience design, check the exact family’s supported topology, software, cables and failure behaviour. Describe which failures the design must survive and test them before deployment.
Read SFP vs SFP+ vs SFP28 and DAC vs AOC vs optics for link selection.
List features and management requirements
Write down VLAN, authentication, routing, QoS and monitoring requirements. Check the feature and scale limits for the intended software release. Confirm which management mode and licences the configuration needs; see Licences and support contracts.
Check the installation
Confirm rack depth, mounting kit, airflow direction, acoustic limits, supply voltage and power redundancy. Make sure the proposed configuration includes the required power supplies and accessories rather than assuming they are bundled.
Send device counts, power requirements, cabling details, required features, management model and resilience goals with a quote request. Browse switches, networking, licences and support.