Whether you're expanding your Trackman home setup or optimizing your Indoor Simulator business network, using a network switch can be a smart move. This article will walk you through why you might want to use a switch.

Benefits of Using a Switch

1. Efficient Network Traffic Management
   • A switch connects multiple devices (such as computers, printers, and servers) within a local area network (LAN) and intelligently directs data. Unlike a hub, which sends data to all devices, a switch only sends data to the specific device it’s intended for.
   • This results in:
     • Reduced network traffic
     • Faster data transfer
     • Fewer collisions
2. Scalability and Flexibility
   • Switches make it easy to expand your network. You can add more devices without significantly affecting performance. Many switches also offer:
     • Gigabit ports for high-speed connections
     • Power over Ethernet (PoE) to power devices like IP cameras and access points through the network cable
     • VLAN support to segment the network into logical groups
3. Enhanced Security and Control
   • Switches can be configured to improve network security by:
     • Restricting access to specific ports
     • Monitoring traffic with port mirroring
     • Supporting access control and network policies

If you want instructions on how to set up the network switch, please refer to this article: How To Set Up A Network Switch

Sometimes it can be beneficial to run a straight connection from TMiO to the PC for troubleshooting purposes.