Every switch on your network has a shelf life. The tricky part isn’t knowing that switches eventually get old. Some old switches need replacement, and you have to know when! Replace too early, and you will overspend; wait too long, and you will risk failure.
This is especially true for industrial networks. Their switches often sit untouched for years inside a cabinet nobody cares to open unless something breaks. Brands dealing in a Cisco industrial Ethernet switch portfolio don’t have to worry much since they are high-quality switches.
Understanding the stages of a switch in networking
Manufacturers like Cisco don’t just stop supporting a product overnight. They update users about the expected lifetime of products.
- They confirm which products will eventually be phased out. Nothing has changed operationally yet, but it could be your first signal to start planning.
- They set up end-of-sale events. It is the point at which the product can no longer be purchased through normal channels. Existing units will run fine, but you will need to look to the secondary market for spares.
- End of new service contracts means you can no longer add fresh support contracts for the device.
- The final notification is the official last date of support. The manufacturer stops all support entirely, including security patches and software updates. You will not get any company support after that time.
In reality, however, a switch that’s out of support can often keep running for years.
Signs a switch should be repaired
You can repair a switch in some situations without seeking a replacement. If it is still within its supported lifecycle and spare parts or power supplies are available, go for repair. Also, if the problem is limited to a single port, a fan, or a power module, replacement may not be necessary.
Industrial switches typically last a long time with proper maintenance. On average, they can last for over a decade.
When should you replace a switch in your network?
If the switch has already reached its end of support, replacement is safer. Also, when it develops snags now and then, repairing it multiple times is not practical. It will affect your workflow and make you exceed the budget, too.
Sometimes, you may find it tough to locate spare parts. This typically occurs when the product crosses the last date of support. Businesses also replace switches when they need to meet newer security requirements.
How to build an effective switch lifecycle?
The switches that fail unexpectedly are usually the ones that are not tracked. You can do the following:
- For every switch in the network, know its install date and its current lifecycle stage.
- Choose switches for replacement by performance and not age alone.
- Don’t replace all damaged or older switches all at once.
Wrapping it up
Switch Lifecycle planning isn’t always about buying the newest hardware. Keep an eye on all switches on your system, and keep spares in place too. For a long time, repair will work. Replacement is necessary when support, reliability, or capability decreases.
