Switches are easier to install. Switches are easier to maintain than routers. Switches let network managers preserve their investment in Ethernet cables, software, and network interface cards. Each computer or small group of computers can have a dedicated 10 Mbps segment connected to a high-capacity Ethernet switch instead of having to share 10 Mbps using the current Ethernet standard. Switches cost less to operate and administer than competing technologies.
Switches allows an appropriate increase in bandwidth to be added to the network when necessary.
Ethernet switches can provide port densities ranging from 6 to 128 Ethernet ports per switch. Ethernet switches have the ability to accept high speed technologies such as ATM by providing high-speed ports for down links and server connections. Some features and functions that Ethernet switches have include advanced bridging and multiprotocol routing, active congestion control, quality assurances for real-time traffic, and fault tolerance. Improved Network management applications that help make switched networks easier to operate, configure and manage are also available. The last advantage is that there is a large choice of vendors including switch specialists, major hub and router vendors.