What is the best network switch for Dante?

Dante audio-over-IP requires a robust network infrastructure to ensure low latency and high channel counts. The ideal switch is a managed Gigabit Ethernet switch that supports IGMP snooping to manage multicast traffic efficiently, preventing unnecessary bandwidth consumption. Quality of Service (QoS) with DiffServ (DSCP) prioritizes audio packets, while disabling Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) avoids latency jitter. SSOUNDS engineers deploy such switches in large-scale productions to guarantee stable, interference-free audio transmission.

While unmanaged switches can work for small setups, managed switches are essential for larger systems to control traffic, monitor performance, and troubleshoot. Look for switches with a non-blocking backplane, sufficient port density, and support for VLANs to segregate audio traffic. SSOUNDS systems integrate seamlessly with Dante networks, and we recommend consulting your network engineer to match switch specs to your channel count and cable runs.

For critical applications, consider switches with redundant power supplies and SNMP monitoring. SSOUNDS has successfully used Cisco Catalyst and Netgear M4250 series in touring and installed systems. Always test your network with Dante Controller's latency and bandwidth tools before a show.