So switches are able to do a lot of interesting things.

Think about in a business, you want to have credit card machines, users computers, and maybe a security system and cameras. There have been so many news reports of how awful the cyber security of security cameras are that maybe you don’t want them to be on the same local network as the thing taking your customers payments. So, you could buy another router and switches and pay for a second internet service. But you know you don’t use all the bandwidth you currently have and you have extra ports on the switch. What if you could create a second local network? Have it on the same physical hardware but logically separate in the router and switch. Like a virtual local area network.

This is exactly what a VLAN can accomplish. Now though, you have to tell the switch what port is using what VLAN, so you build a GUI into it.

Some switches are also able to supply power to those cameras and the access points around your business, but that takes more electricity going into the switch, so you need to keep heat down, so slap a fan in there. Also, what happens if you want to power cycle a camera? Well, you could go find the cable and physically unplug it, or you could just reboot the whole switch, but hey, you already have a GUI for VLAN config, why not slap the ability to turn a port on and off in there too!

The same goes for a home network, maybe you have a few cheap smart lights that have a questionable level of security… they’re fun though! So instead of risking your whole network, slap them in a dedicated VLAN and now some sweaty neckbeard doesn’t get to know what Christmas present you bought for your one favorite coworker.

These are just a few examples of the top of my head. There’s plenty of other reasons for a GUI and fans.