I’ve been buying more 2.5-gig switches lately, and another MSP asked me a fair question: Why? That sent me down a bigger rabbit hole about what we’re actually solving when we upgrade a client’s network. I’m flying solo for this conversation, sharing where I’m using Ubiquiti switches, why I still put 10G connections on servers and Synology storage, and where plain old gigabit still does the job.

The takeaway is purpose. Faster ports can make sense for shared storage, database traffic, backups, and switch uplinks. But if the devices and workloads can’t take advantage of them, we might just be buying a bigger number. I’m looking at the practical reasons to upgrade, along with the questions we should ask before spending the client’s money.

=== Chapters

00:48 Uncle Marv’s IT Business Podcast Introduction
01:19 Why MSPs Are Buying **Ubiquiti** 2.5G Switches
05:12 NetAlly LinkRunner 100G Network Tester
09:55 Gigabit vs. 2.5G: When Should MSPs Upgrade?
14:33 Faster Networks for SQL Databases, NAS, and Backups
17:10 Network Bottlenecks, Switch Uplinks, and Wi-Fi 7
20:26 Choosing Compact Switches for Ports, Power, and PoE
24:01 When a 2.5G Network Upgrade Isn’t Worth It
26:02 IT Nation Preview, PitchIT, and MSP Events

=== People Mentioned

Eric Anthony, Egnyte / All Things MSP: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esanthony
Dawn Sizer, Rocket Fuel Factory / Co-Founder: https://therocketfuelfactory.com/about
Dave Sizer, Rocket Fuel Factory / Co-Founder: https://therocketfuelfactory.com/about
Rob Rae, Pax8: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/guests/rob-rae/
Paco Lebron: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pacolebron

=== Products Mentioned

Ubiquiti UniFi Flex 2.5G, USW-Flex-2.5G-8: https://store.ui.com/us/en/products/usw-flex-2-5g-8
Ubiquiti UniFi Flex 2.5G PoE, USW-Flex-2.5G-8-PoE: https://store.ui.com/us/en/products/usw-flex-2-5g-8-poe
NetAlly LinkRunner 100G: https://link.amazon/B09j72ypr
NetAlly EtherScope nXG: https://link.amazon/B091fg3Qa
NetAlly CyberScope: https://link.amazon/B01TxuDM0
NetAlly LinkRunner AT 1500: https://link.amazon/B01TxuDM0
NETGEAR GS305 PoE: https://link.amazon/B04WjQ2EB
TRENDnet 2.5G Ethernet adapter: https://link.amazon/B08R7s5Wb

=== Resources / Books / Podcasts / Apps

Ubiquiti: https://www.ui.com/
ThreatCaptain: https://threatcaptain.com/
CyberFOX: https://www.cyberfox.com/
Rocket Fuel Factory events resource: https://therocketfuelfactory.com/events
IT Nation / IT Nation Connect: https://itnation.connectwise.com/
PitchIT: https://itnation.connectwise.com/pitchit
TD SYNNEX Inspire: https://www.tdsynnex.com/na/us/inspire/
Podfest Expo: https://podfestexpo.com/
Zero Trust World: https://ztw.com/
NerdioCon: https://nerdiocon.com/
Pax8 Beyond: https://www.pax8beyond.com/
ITEXPO: https://www.itexpo.com/

=== SPONSORS:

Technology Partner, NetAlly: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/netally/
Technology Partner: Bvoip: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/bvoip
Travel Partner: TruGrid: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/trugrid
Digital Partner, Designer Ready: http://itbusinesspodcast.com/designerready

=== Affiliates

SyncoMSP: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/syncro
Auvik: https://try.auvik.com/unclemarv
Streamyard: https://streamyard.com/pal/c/6122570689019904

=== SHOW MUSIC:

Item Title: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock Logo
Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/upbeat-fun-sports-rock-logo-CSR3UET
Author Username: AlexanderRufire
Item License Code: 7X9F52DNML

=== Connect with Uncle Marv

🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/
🎙 Host: Marvin Bee
🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ
☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

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#235: Polykarbonade

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