non manageable = dumb switch (cannot configure) manageable = can do VLAN and etc etc (can do configuration) ---------------- "<b>Unmanaged switches</b> — These switches have no configuration interface or options. They are plug and play. They are typically the least expensive switches, found in home, SOHO, or small businesses. They can be desktop or rack mounted. <b>Managed switches</b> — These switches have one or more methods to modify the operation of the switch. Common management methods include: a serial console or command line interface accessed via telnet or Secure Shell, an embedded Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) agent allowing management from a remote console or management station, or a web interface for management from a web browser. Examples of configuration changes that one can do from a managed switch include: enable features such as Spanning Tree Protocol, set port speed, create or modify Virtual LANs (VLANs)... "

non manageable = dumb switch (cannot configure) manageable = can do VLAN and etc etc (can do configuration) ---------------- "<b>Unmanaged switches</b> — These switches have no configuration interface or options. They are plug and play. They are typically the least expensive switches, found in home, SOHO, or small businesses. They can be desktop or rack mounted. <b>Managed switches</b> — These switches have one or more methods to modify the operation of the switch. Common management methods include: a serial console or command line interface accessed via telnet or Secure Shell, an embedded Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) agent allowing management from a remote console or management station, or a web interface for management from a web browser. Examples of configuration changes that one can do from a managed switch include: enable features such as Spanning Tree Protocol, set port speed, create or modify Virtual LANs (VLANs)... "