DrayTek Switches: Vigor P2540x vs. Vigor P2280x – Which is Better for Large Networks?

DrayTek switches are among the most prominent solutions offered by DrayTek to meet the needs of large networks. Modn Telecom, one of the leading companies in the telecommunications field, provides these switches to its customers to ensure high performance and reliability in complex network environments. 

In this article, we will compare the Vigor P2540x switch and the Vigor P2280x switch, focusing on their features and how they meet the demands of large networks. 

Introduction to DrayTek Switches and Their Importance in Large Networks 

DrayTek switches are advanced network devices designed to manage data traffic with high efficiency. DrayTek relies on Layer 2+ technologies, enabling advanced management features such as VLAN Routing and support for Power over Ethernet (PoE) to power devices without the need for additional power sources. In large networks, such as those found in major corporations, educational institutions, or hospitals, switches must be capable of handling high data traffic volumes, supporting a large number of devices, and ensuring security and stability. 

The Vigor P2540x and Vigor P2280x switches are two prominent models from DrayTek. The former comes with 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports with PoE+ support, while the latter features 24 similar ports. Both models support SFP+ ports for high-speed connections up to 10 Gbps, making them ideal for large networks requiring fast links to servers or network-attached storage (NAS) devices. 

Note: In large networks, using DrayTek switches can reduce the load on the main router by up to 50% through internal routing, improving overall performance and reducing downtime. 

Overview of the Vigor P2280x Switch 

The Vigor P2280x is a managed Layer 2+ switch and is considered a robust option for large networks seeking a balance between cost and performance. It features 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports (10/100/1000 Mbps) with PoE+ support (IEEE 802.3at), allowing it to power devices such as IP cameras, wireless access points, or IP phones without additional cabling. The PoE power budget is 400 watts, sufficient to power up to 24 devices with up to 30 watts per port. 

The switching capacity reaches 128 Gbps, with a forwarding rate of 95.2 million packets per second (Mpps), enabling it to handle dense data traffic in large networks without delay. It also supports 4 SFP+ ports at 10 Gbps, ideal for uplinks to servers or other switches. For management, the Vigor P2280x offers a user-friendly web interface and centralized management through VigorACS or VigorConnect, allowing remote network monitoring. 

Regarding security, it includes features like Access Control List (ACL) for filtering traffic based on IP or MAC, 802.1x authentication, and DHCP Snooping to prevent attacks. 

Note: In large networks, ONVIF Surveillance support can reduce setup time by 30%, as the switch automatically detects IP cameras, displays a network map, and allows remote device reboot via PoE Power Cycle. 

Overview of the Vigor P2540x Switch 

The Vigor P2540x is a managed Layer 2+ switch with 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports with PoE+, making it suitable for large networks with a high density of devices. The PoE power budget is also 400 watts, but with more ports, it can distribute power to over 48 devices. 

The switching capacity is 216 Gbps, with a forwarding rate of 160.7 Mpps and a buffer memory of 16 Mbit, supporting larger data flows without packet loss. It includes 6 SFP+ ports at 10 Gbps, providing greater flexibility for uplinks. Management is similar to the Vigor P2280x, with support for VLANrouting for routing between subnets and a DHCP server for assigning IP addresses to up to 8 VLANs. 

Note: The MAC address table supports up to 32,000 addresses, compared to 16,000 in the Vigor P2280x, making it better suited for large networks with numerous devices. It also supports Quality of Service (QoS) for traffic prioritization, MLD Snooping for IPv6 support, and the same security features, including IP Source Guard and Loop Protection. 

Comparison of DrayTek Switches 

Use Cases for DrayTek Switches 

In large enterprises, the Vigor P2280x can be used as a distribution switch for a single department, such as a security department with 24 IP cameras, while the Vigor P2540x is suitable as a core switch supporting 48 wireless access points. 

In hospitals, the Vigor P2540x is recommended for large networks with many devices (e.g., medical monitoring devices and IP cameras), as it supports 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 6 SFP+ ports for high-speed links. Its QoS feature prioritizes critical medical data traffic (e.g., heart monitors or imaging data), reducing latency to less than 1 millisecond. 

In schools, the Vigor P2280x is suitable for medium-sized networks (e.g., a classroom or administrative department) with 24 ports, where VLANs separate student and administrative networks for enhanced security, and IP Conflict Prevention avoids address conflicts. For larger schools with multiple devices, the Vigor P2540x is better suited to support a higher number of devices. 

Conclusion 

DrayTek switches like the Vigor P2540x and Vigor P2280x offer robust solutions for large networks, with advanced features in performance, management, and security. The choice between them depends on the network size and requirements, with neither being absolutely better. Modn Telecom recommends evaluating specific needs to ensure optimal performance. For more details, contact us. 

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