Optimizing enterprise network performance often starts with choosing a high-performance Ethernet switch. Huawei’s top-rated switches provide businesses with exceptional speed, reliability, and scalability to meet modern demands.
In today’s digital landscape, your switching infrastructure fundamentally impacts organizational communication, collaboration, and growth. This guide outlines a practical approach to selecting the ideal Huawei switch, complete with key criteria, model suggestions, and application examples.
Understanding the Network Core
For contemporary data-centric businesses, sluggish connectivity or network outages directly impact productivity and revenue. Frequently, the bottleneck isn’t raw bandwidth but the central connecting device: the network switch.
Huawei provides one of the industry’s most extensive enterprise switch portfolios. From compact access switches for small offices to robust CloudEngine data-center platforms, Huawei designs solutions for stability, high throughput, and intelligent control—helping organizations remain agile, secure, and efficient.
Critical Criteria for Choosing a Top-Rated Ethernet Switch
Before settling on a specific model, evaluate these three fundamental areas that directly influence network performance.
Three Essential Selection Factors
1. Network Scale and Scope
Determine if your setup serves a small office, a large campus, or a data center.
Smaller operations typically need straightforward management and PoE support, while larger infrastructures demand advanced Layer 3 routing and multi-gigabit speeds.
2. Performance and Bandwidth Needs
Identify the throughput your critical applications require.
Video conferencing, virtualization, and AI/ML workloads often need 10 G or higher speeds. Huawei’s modular switches can scale from 1 G to 400 G to support business expansion.
3. Required Features and Capabilities
- PoE/PoE+ for powering devices like wireless access points and IP cameras.
- Enhanced Security via VLAN segmentation, Access Control Lists (ACL), and MAC address filtering.
- Centralized Cloud Management through iMaster NCE for unified monitoring and control.
Key Insight: The best switch investment focuses on business results—optimizing efficiency and ensuring future readiness—not just the initial purchase price.
Exploring the Huawei Switch Portfolio
Huawei offers a complete range of switches for every tier of an enterprise network.
| Series | Example Models | Speed Tier | Positioning | Ideal Scenarios |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S5700 / S5735 Series | S5735-L24T4X, S5735S-L24P4X-A | 1 G / 10 G | Access Layer | Small offices, retail branches |
| S5731 / S5732 Series | S5731-S24T4X, S5732-H48S6Q | 10 G | Aggregation Layer | Mid-size enterprises |
| S6730 / S6700 Series | S6730-H24X6C, S6730-H48X6C | 10 G / 40 G | Core Layer | Campus and enterprise network cores |
| S7700 / S8700 Series | S7706, S8700-10-B01 | 100 G | Core Backbone | Large corporate backbones |
| CloudEngine (CE) Series | CE6855-48XS8CQ-B, CE8850-64CQ-EI | 25 G / 100 G / 400 G | Data Center Core | Cloud computing & AI networking |
Huawei switches integrate seamlessly with Huawei routers, wireless APs, and firewalls, enabling cohesive, intelligent, end-to-end enterprise networks.
Step-by-Step Selection Guide
Step 1 – Identify the Network Layer
- Access layer: Connects end-user devices (PCs, printers, APs) → S5735 Series.
- Aggregation layer: Consolidates multiple access switches → S5731 / S5732 Series.
- Core layer: Handles high-speed traffic between departments or data centers → S6730 / S7700 / CE Series.
Step 2 – Evaluate Bandwidth Requirements
| Application Type | Recommended Bandwidth |
|---|---|
| Standard office applications | 1 G |
| Multimedia / Virtualization | 10 G |
| AI / Big Data / HPC | 40 G – 100 G |
Step 3 – Define Required Functions
- PoE/PoE+ for connected devices.
- Layer 3 routing for internal traffic segmentation.
- Cloud management for distributed network oversight.
Aligning with these three steps will help pinpoint the Huawei model that best fits your operational workflow and budget.
Huawei’s Key Technical Advantages
1. NP/ASIC Acceleration
Huawei’s proprietary chips enable line-rate forwarding with micro-second latency, guaranteeing consistent performance even under heavy network loads.
2. AI-Driven Quality of Service (QoS)
The integrated AI QoS engine automatically prioritizes business-critical traffic like VoIP or video conferences, eliminating the need for complex manual configuration.
3. Energy-Efficient Design
Incorporating power-saving components and intelligent fan control, these switches can reduce power consumption by up to 20%, supporting sustainability goals.
4. iMaster NCE Cloud Management
A single, centralized dashboard for network provisioning, analytics, and fault detection—accessible from anywhere.
5. High Availability with Stacking
Huawei’s iStack technology allows up to 16 switches to operate as a single virtual chassis, simplifying management and providing built-in redundancy.
Comparative View: Huawei vs. Other Leading Brands
| Feature | Huawei S / CE Series | Cisco Catalyst | Aruba 6300 / 6400 | Juniper EX / QFX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Speed Range | 1 G – 400 G (full stack) | 1 G – 100 G | 1 G – 100 G | 1 G – 400 G |
| Stacking Capacity | Up to 16 devices (iStack) | 8 devices | 8 devices | 10 devices |
| Management Platform | iMaster NCE Cloud | DNA Center | Aruba Central | Junos Space |
| Intelligent QoS | AI-adaptive | Manual | Basic | Manual |
| Power Efficiency | Smart chips + fan control | Standard | Standard | Higher power draw |
| Security | MAC / VLAN / ACL | MAC / VLAN | MAC / VLAN | VLAN / ACL |
| ROI / Cost | High performance / mid-tier price | High | High | High |
Perspective: Huawei effectively combines intelligent features, scalability, and a lower total cost of ownership, establishing it as a leading choice for a top-rated Ethernet switch among global vendors.
Practical Scenarios & Recommended Setups
| Business Type | Network Design | Recommended Models | Key Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Office | Access + Wi-Fi APs | S5735-L24T4X | Cost-effective, PoE support, cloud-ready |
| Medium Enterprise | Access + Aggregation | S5731-H24T4XC / S5732-H48S6Q | 10 G uplink, advanced VLAN segmentation |
| Large Campus / Healthcare | Core + Aggregation + Access | S6730-H48X6C / S7706 | High throughput, AI-powered traffic control |
| Data Center / Cloud | Core + Server Access | CE8850-64CQ-EI / CE9865-4C-B | 400 G interconnect, EVPN, virtualization-ready |
These examples illustrate how Huawei’s layered architecture ensures stability, security, and seamless scalability throughout an enterprise’s growth.
Network Optimization Best Practices
- Implement Link Aggregation (LACP) to boost bandwidth and provide redundancy.
- Activate AI QoS to guarantee performance for real-time applications like video and voice.
- Adopt a structured Core–Aggregation–Access design for easier future expansion.
- Utilize iMaster NCE for centralized configuration and intuitive traffic visualization.
- Integrate Huawei APs and Firewalls for unified security policies and a consistent user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Do Huawei switches support Power over Ethernet (PoE)?
A: Yes. Models in the S5735 and S5732 Series fully support PoE and PoE+ for powering access points and cameras.
Q2: Can they work with equipment from Cisco or Aruba?
A: Absolutely. They utilize standard Ethernet protocols, ensuring full interoperability in mixed environments.
Q3: Is IPv6 supported on Huawei switches?
A: Yes, all models offer 100% dual-stack compatibility for both IPv4 and IPv6.
Q4: What is the main advantage of iStack technology?
A: It combines multiple physical switches into one logical device, simplifying management and enabling automatic failover.
Q5: Is cloud-based management available?
A: Yes, via the iMaster NCE Cloud platform, which includes advanced AI analytics.
Q6: Are Huawei switches a good fit for data centers?
A: The dedicated CloudEngine series is designed for high-density data centers and AI-driven networks.
Q7: Do they support redundant power supplies?
A: Yes, most models feature dual, hot-swappable power supplies for maximum uptime.
Q8: How do maintenance costs compare?
A: Huawei switches typically reduce the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by 20 to 30% compared to similarly featured switches from other leading brands.
Q9: How do I choose between aggregation and core layer models?
A: Assess your bandwidth demands and mission-critical applications. Consulting with a certified Huawei engineer is recommended for detailed planning.
Q10: Is professional deployment support offered?
A: Yes. Huawei’s global partner network provides both remote and on-site installation services.
From Insight to Implementation
Investing in the right high-performance Ethernet switch can transform your enterprise network’s capabilities. Huawei’s S-Series and CloudEngine models deliver a powerful combination of hardware acceleration, AI-driven traffic optimization, and centralized cloud management, building a robust foundation for future growth.
Whether you manage a small office or a global data center, Huawei offers a top-rated Ethernet switch portfolio trusted by organizations worldwide.
Contact today for detailed Huawei switch configurations, model comparisons, and a personalized quote. Our certified specialists are ready to help you build a smarter, faster, and more secure enterprise network.
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