What is the best network switch for Dante?

Dante audio networking requires a robust, managed Gigabit Ethernet switch to handle high-density audio streams with minimal jitter and latency. The key features to look for are IGMP snooping (to manage multicast traffic), Quality of Service (QoS) prioritization for audio packets, and support for flow control. While many enterprise-grade switches work, the Dante AVIO specification provides a certified list of switches that have been tested for interoperability and performance.

For small to medium setups, the Netgear M4250 series is purpose-built for AV-over-IP and offers Dante-optimized presets. For larger installations, Cisco Catalyst switches provide advanced management and reliability. Ubiquiti UniFi switches are a cost-effective option for simpler networks, but ensure they support IGMP snooping and are configured correctly. SSOUNDS engineers have successfully deployed Dante on these platforms, but always recommend testing with your specific system.

Avoid unmanaged switches or consumer-grade hardware, as they lack the necessary traffic management for stable Dante operation. Also, ensure your switch has sufficient backplane bandwidth for your channel count—typically, a 1 Gbps port per device is sufficient, but link aggregation may be needed for high-density racks. Proper network design, including VLAN segmentation and dedicated audio subnets, further enhances reliability.