IT managers face an increasingly challenging task: building a network that is fast, resilient, and secure, yet simple to manage and affordable to scale. Read on to learn why NETGEAR managed switches are a compelling option for Campus IT.
IN THIS ARTICLE
In today’s enterprise landscape, the demands placed on IT infrastructure are more complex and dynamic than ever before. Medium-sized organizations are experiencing an explosion in connected devices—from smartphones and tablets to IoT sensors and smartboards—while cloud services, collaboration platforms, and bandwidth-hungry applications like video conferencing have become integral to daily operations. As a result, IT managers face an increasingly challenging task: building a network that is fast, resilient, and secure, yet simple to manage and affordable to scale.
NETGEAR, known for 25+ years of networking innovation, has become one of the most compelling secure and scalable options for campus IT. Its M4350 and M4500 switch families are purpose-built for fluctuating environments. Together, they offer a comprehensive solution that spans access, distribution, and core networking layers—delivering enterprise-grade performance and features enterprises expect, without the complexity or added cost often associated with incumbent vendors, yet with a proven track record in powering the most demanding AV-over-IP multicast networks.
The NETGEAR M4350 series completely reimagines the network access layer. Recognizing the shift toward multi-Gigabit Wi-Fi, cloud-first applications, and higher endpoint density, the M4350 brings high-performance switching right to the network edge. It supports a range of port types—1G, 2.5G, 10G, and 25G—making it well-suited to campuses deploying next-generation wireless technologies like Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7.
The M4350 doesn’t just provide raw speed; it’s engineered for uptime and security, with active-active stacking using Non-Stop Forwarding, redundant power supplies, and comprehensive Layer 3 support including RIP-v2 MD5 authentication and OSPF. NETGEAR’s industry-leading implementation of IGMP for multicast is another popular feature.
While the M4350 transforms the access layer, the M4500 is designed to dominate at the core and distribution levels. Built with high-bandwidth applications in mind, the M4500 supports 10G, 25G, 40G, and even 100G Ethernet ports. See how OSA International relied on M4500 switches to power a massive multi-hall AV network at the Orange County Convention Center. This level of throughput ensures that the switch can handle demanding workloads, such as 4K/8K video streaming, AI-based processing, and high-density wireless backhaul, all without bottlenecks. It also supports Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation (MLAG), enabling active-active core configurations that provide high availability and minimal failover times. See how M4500 switches also powered the American Dream complex, proving their reliability in large-scale, high-demand networks.
For remote management and increased visibility, the M4350 offers intuitive deployment and monitoring through a unified web GUI and REST APIs. Additionally, NETGEAR’s Insight cloud platform provides a single pane of glass for centralized management, enabling IT teams to efficiently monitor and configure switches across multiple locations. This integration simplifies network operations, offering unparalleled control for IT teams tasked with supporting hundreds or thousands of endpoints across classrooms, offices, and shared spaces.
What sets NETGEAR apart from traditional enterprise vendors isn’t just its performance metrics—it’s the cost-efficiency and openness of its platform. This strength is proven in the field, as OSA International used NETGEAR M4500 switches to power one of the world’s largest music festivals with seamless high-capacity networking.Unlike many competitors that charge for licenses, advanced features, or technical support, NETGEAR delivers its complete Layer 2/3 feature set without additional fees. Security is enterprise-grade, with support for access control lists, 802.1x authentication, RADIUS/TACACS+, and secure boot options in select models. All switches come with a lifetime hardware warranty under the ProSAFE program, significantly lowering the total cost of ownership.
The M4350 and M4500 series also stand out for their interoperability. They’re compatible with widely used optics, such as Cisco’s SFP-10/25G modules, reducing vendor lock-in and making upgrades or expansions far more flexible. For IT managers planning multi-vendor environments or gradual migration paths, this can eliminate a host of headaches down the road.
According to recent data from IDC and Dell’Oro, while overall port shipments slowed in 2024 due to the industry’s shift toward AI and datacenter infrastructure, demand for 25G and 100G ports in campus environments is rising—driven by Wi-Fi 7 and higher-capacity backbone upgrades. NETGEAR’s timing with the M4350 and M4500 couldn’t be better. In head-to-head comparisons, these enterprise-grade switches offer approximately 95% of the features enterprises require, while outperforming the competition in terms of value and manageability.
For IT managers weary of bloated product lines, complicated licensing models, and sluggish support from legacy vendors, NETGEAR offers a refreshing alternative. The M4350 brings next-gen capability to the access edge, and the M4500 provides a formidable core switching option for organizations ready to scale.
Ultimately, the choice of switching infrastructure is no longer just about speed or port counts. It’s about building a network that adapts to future demands, safeguards your data, and gives your IT team the tools to stay ahead. NETGEAR’s switch portfolio, enhanced by Insight’s single pane of glass cloud controller, meets that brief—and then some. Learn more about how NETGEAR’s campus network backbone switches can support high-capacity environments with 25G, 40G, and 100G connectivity.
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