Pick an access layer switch that (1) offers enough ports for every wired and PoE device you'll add over the next three years, (2) delivers the speed—1 Gbps for general traffic or 10 Gbps for heavy data—to keep users productive, and (3) includes security and management features that. Pick an access layer switch that (1) offers enough ports for every wired and PoE device you'll add over the next three years, (2) delivers the speed—1 Gbps for general traffic or 10 Gbps for heavy data—to keep users productive, and (3) includes security and management features that. An access switch serves as an interface for end-user devices to connect to the network, providing essential data transmission services. Access switches are known for their low costs and high port density, making them ideal for various application scenarios, such as offices, small equipment rooms. There are different types of enterprise switches that perform various roles in these layer-based or hierarchical ethernet networks. This white paper introduces the following three types of network switches and further discusses the selection criteria for each switch. In this post, I'll walk you through the differences between Layer 1, Layer 2, and Layer 3 switches in a way that actually makes sense—no. What Is an Access Switch? The Definitive Guide to Edge Network Design An access switch is a network edge device that directly connects end-user hardware such as computers, IP phones, wireless access points, cameras, and IoT devices to the broader network. It typically sits at the access layer.