Managed Services

Difference Between Managed Router vs Unmanaged Router

It is no secret that today’s companies have adopted cloud and cloud-based services. The Internet of Things (IoT) and Voice over Internet Protocol have also gained widespread business usage. Using these technologies requires the increased bandwidth that a router can provide. However, buying and managing your company’s hardware and software can be expensive and time-consuming.

Consequently, some companies opt for managed router services, outsourcing the provision and management of all aspects of the network infrastructure to a third party. Alternatively, some companies prefer unmanaged routers. Here are some insights into managed router vs. unmanaged router services.

What Is a Managed Router?

A managed router is a fully outsourced solution that effectively manages all routers associated with a company’s networks. It offers an advanced solution to manage your Ethernet network, provisioning, configuration, change management, and monitoring for on-client-premise routers. Managed routers eliminate the need to buy your network, ensuring that you can divert your IT resources towards more business-critical projects.

Why Do You Need to Use a Managed Router?

When comparing managed vs. unmanaged router options, it is typical to question the essence of using a managed router service instead of an unmanaged router. Managed router services are worth considering due to:

• Equipment provisioning and management – Your service provider will offer the router and handle staging, configuration, installation, and maintenance.
• 24/7 service desk, ensuring you receive support with monitoring, trouble resolution, and management at all times.
• Access to your service provider’s networking experts.
• Broad network health information and reporting capabilities thanks to Web portal access.
• Enjoy various service packages to suit a wide range of business needs.
• Operational insights.

Advantages And Disadvantages of a Managed Router

Advantages

Better router security – Router malware infections are rare, but your enterprise’s router isn’t completely invulnerable. Cisco researchers warned in 2018 that hackers potentially working for an advanced nation had infected more than 500,000 small-office and home routers worldwide with dangerous malware. Thankfully, a managed router service offers round-the-clock support and monitoring via a network operations center. Therefore, your routers are better protected from being weaponized and destroyed.

Ease the burden on IT staff – Your IT staff focuses on non-core business when tasked with building, managing, and monitoring your networks. As such, they may be occupied with watching out for unusual activities and troubleshooting networks instead of handling innovative projects. However, managed router services ensure that networking specialists handle the process of provisioning network software and hardware.

You can also lower capital expenditures and eliminate the expense of updating your router. In addition, you can even get a predictable monthly cost for a total end-to-end solution.

Continuous assistance – A managed router service provider can assist your company with the complete life cycle of your network, from implementation to upgrades. Also, a great managed router service can give your enterprise peace of mind by providing redundancy to guard against router failure.

Better Performance – You can hold your managed router service provider accountable for your network performance, ensuring a high-performance level at all times. Also, your provider will update your router regularly to ensure that your network functions optimally.

Disadvantages

Reduced Knowledge Retention – Any outsourced operations reduce your company’s ability to build its processes and retain knowledge. Therefore, you will always rely on your provider for router support.

If your managed router service provider goes out of business, scrambling to find a new provider can take its toll on your business.

Unlike your in-house IT, your managed router service provider attends to only a defined list of support needs. Therefore, if you have an issue outside the services you signed up for, you may have to deal with them yourself.

What Is an Unmanaged Router?

An unmanaged router is a networking device that enables basic internet connectivity by routing data between a local network and the internet without offering advanced customization or control options. Unlike managed routers, unmanaged routers lack extensive configuration settings and network management features, making them a straightforward solution primarily for simple, smaller network setups.

How Does It Differ from A Managed Router?

The most significant difference when comparing managed and unmanaged router options are who is in charge of your network infrastructure. You outsource all aspects of your network to a third-party provider using managed router services. They are responsible for obtaining and maintaining the hardware and software required to ensure secure network connectivity and optimum network performance.

On the other hand, you own the hardware needed for connectivity and network performance when using an unmanaged router. Additionally, you or an in-house IT team is responsible for configuring the software required for connectivity.

Differences between Managed and Unmanaged Routers

Here’s a comparison between Managed and Unmanaged Routers:

Feature	Managed Router	Unmanaged Router
Control and Customization	Offers advanced customization with settings for IP filtering, Quality of Service (QoS), VLANs, and bandwidth control.	Basic configuration only, limited to basic internet connectivity.
Security Features	Provides robust security options such as firewalls, VPN support, and intrusion detection.	Limited security features, usually restricted to basic firewall and password settings.
Setup Complexity	Requires technical expertise for setup and management due to advanced features.	Plug-and-play, easy to set up with minimal configuration needed.
Network Management	Allows for network monitoring, traffic control, and troubleshooting tools.	No monitoring or management capabilities; limited to basic routing.
Ideal Use Cases	Suitable for businesses with complex networking needs, high traffic, or sensitive data.	Ideal for home networks or small businesses with basic internet needs.
Performance Optimization	Can prioritize bandwidth for specific applications, devices, or users to ensure optimal performance.	Lacks performance optimization features like traffic prioritization.
Cost	More expensive due to its advanced features and capabilities.	More affordable, as it offers basic routing functions only.
Maintenance Requirements	Requires regular updates and potential monitoring by IT staff.	Low maintenance, typically set up once and left to run.
Scalability	Highly scalable, suitable for expanding networks with increasing traffic demands.	Limited scalability; best for small, simple network setups.
Reliability for Business Use	Reliable for business-critical applications, as it can handle large volumes of traffic and ensure uptime.	Less reliable for business-critical applications due to limited control and fewer management features.

Factors to Consider When Choosing

Here are key factors to consider when choosing between a managed and unmanaged router:

Cost: Managed routers have higher initial costs but save on maintenance, while unmanaged routers have lower upfront costs but higher long-term maintenance expenses.

Resource Allocation: Managed routers offload management to external experts, freeing up internal resources. Unmanaged routers require in-house IT for setup and troubleshooting.

Reliability & Security: Managed routers offer built-in security and continuous monitoring, whereas unmanaged routers require manual setup for firewalls and other security measures.

Scalability: Managed routers scale easily with business growth, while unmanaged routers are harder to expand.

How Should I Choose Between a Managed Router and an Unmanaged Router?

Choosing between a managed router and an unmanaged router is a critical decision for businesses and organizations, as it can significantly impact network performance, management, and overall IT infrastructure. The first step in making this choice is to assess your specific needs. An unmanaged router might be sufficient if your organization has a robust IT team capable of managing and troubleshooting network issues.

These routers are generally more affordable and offer basic functionality without the overhead of ongoing management. They are suitable for smaller networks or environments where network changes are infrequent, and the complexity is minimal.

On the other hand, if your organization lacks the technical expertise or resources to handle network management, a managed router is the better option. Managed routers have additional features such as remote monitoring, configuration management, and technical support.

This means your IT staff can focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine maintenance tasks. Managed routers are especially beneficial for larger networks or businesses that require high availability and performance, as they provide proactive management and quick response times in case of issues.

Furthermore, managed routers often come with advanced security features, which can be crucial for protecting sensitive data and maintaining compliance with industry regulations.

Cost is another important factor to consider. While unmanaged routers are typically less expensive upfront, the potential costs associated with downtime or network inefficiencies can add up. In contrast, managed routers may have higher initial costs due to their advanced features and ongoing support services, but they can lead to long-term savings by reducing the likelihood of network failures and minimizing downtime. Therefore, it’s essential to weigh the initial investment against the potential long-term benefits.

Choosing between a managed and unmanaged router should align with your organization’s growth plans, IT capabilities, and budget considerations. Conducting a thorough needs assessment, considering the size and complexity of your network, and evaluating your organization’s capacity for management and support will help you make an informed decision that meets your current and future networking needs.

Can You Monitor Your Network Besides Using A Managed Router?

A managed router allows you to control all aspects of your network from one central location. This means that you don’t need to worry about setting up multiple routers for different networks. With a managed router, you can easily set up port forwarding rules, which allow you to direct traffic through specific ports to other devices on your local network.

Here are few ways to monitor your router:

• Logfile monitoring
• SNMP monitoring
• Ping monitoring
• SQL query monitoring
• NetFlow monitoring

Why Choose ExterNetworks as Your Managed Router Service Provider?

We can manage all aspects of your network infrastructure, including the hardware and software configuration, allowing you to focus on your core business. Also, we ensure your network connectivity through regular maintenance to ensure router reliability and performance.

Contact Us today to get started.