What is a Managed Router Service

A managed router service lets an organization outsource the management of a router to a managed service provider. This provider will usually handle provisioning, configuration, change management, and monitoring the hardware.

A managed router service will monitor, manage and report on your networks. This is a cost-effective way to improve the performance of your wide area network (WAN), and to get the most from the cloud, security, and mobility with a high-performance managed WAN.

Why do I need a managed router service?

The provider of your managed router service will make sure that you get regular router upgrades, so your network can perform optimally. Your provider can also choose routing protocols that will be the best to manage and speed up your network traffic.

What are network-managed services?

Managed network services are networking applications, functions, and services that can be outsourced to be remotely operated, maintained, and monitored. The managed service providers who do this can range from niche services providers to global telecommunications providers.

What Are the Different Types of Managed Network Services?

Managed network services cover different parts of an organization’s network infrastructure. Common types include:

Managed Network Service	What It Includes	Key Benefit
Managed Router Services	Router configuration, monitoring, updates, troubleshooting, and performance management	Improves WAN performance and reduces IT workload
Managed Switch Services	Switch configuration, VLAN management, port monitoring, and troubleshooting	Improves LAN performance and network visibility
Managed Wi-Fi Services	Wireless access point deployment, configuration, monitoring, security, and optimization	Provides reliable and secure wireless connectivity
Managed Firewall Services	Firewall configuration, rule management, security monitoring, updates, and threat detection	Strengthens network security and helps protect against threats
Managed SD-WAN Services	SD-WAN deployment, traffic routing, policy management, monitoring, and optimization	Improves connectivity, application performance, and WAN flexibility
Managed Network Monitoring	24/7 monitoring of network devices, performance, availability, and alerts	Enables proactive issue detection and reduces downtime

Why do I need a managed router?

Taking care of your network is a task that pulls your IT team away from the core of your business, pulling their focus onto troubleshooting instead of innovating. With managed router service, you get access to experts who can ease this burden on your staff. Specialists can take over the time-consuming process of managing network hardware and software.

What Is Managed Router Service for Multi-Site Businesses?

A managed router service for multi-site businesses provides centralized management of routers across multiple offices, branches, or locations. A managed service provider (MSP) can configure, monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot routers remotely, helping businesses maintain consistent network connectivity across all sites.

Key advantages include:

• Centralized router management: IT teams or MSPs can manage router configurations, updates, policies, and troubleshooting from a central platform.
• Reliable branch connectivity: Managed routers help maintain secure and consistent connections between branch offices, data centers, cloud applications, and headquarters.
• Standardized configurations: Using consistent router configurations and security policies across locations can simplify network management and reduce configuration errors.
• Centralized monitoring: Continuous monitoring helps identify connectivity, performance, and availability issues across branches before they significantly affect users.
• Better WAN visibility: Businesses gain visibility into bandwidth usage, traffic patterns, device health, and WAN performance across multiple locations.

For multi-site organizations, managed router services can simplify network operations, improve visibility, and provide consistent connectivity across geographically distributed locations.

What Is Managed Router Service for Small Businesses?

A managed router service for small businesses provides outsourced management of the routers that connect the company’s offices, users, applications, and internet services. A managed service provider (MSP) typically handles router configuration, monitoring, maintenance, troubleshooting, updates, and security.

For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), managed router services can help address common networking challenges:

• Limited IT resources: Small businesses may not have dedicated network specialists. An MSP provides access to networking expertise without requiring additional full-time staff.
• Predictable costs: Managed services typically use a recurring pricing model, helping businesses budget for network management, monitoring, and support.
• Simplified management: The provider handles routine router configuration, updates, monitoring, and troubleshooting, reducing the workload on internal IT staff.
• Outsourced expertise: Businesses can access experienced network professionals who can proactively monitor performance, resolve issues, and help maintain reliable connectivity.

Overall, managed router services allow SMBs to outsource day-to-day router management while keeping their network monitored, maintained, and supported.

Do I need a router with a managed switch?

A managed switch can be used to connect multiple devices and manage ports and VLAN settings, as opposed to a router that only directs data in a network and passes it between different computers, or between your computers and the modem.

Why do I need a managed switch?

A managed switch will allow you to manage, configure, and monitor the settings of your LAN, including controls over traffic, prioritizing some channels, and create VLANs to segregate groups of devices to manage traffic.

What is a managed WiFi router?

A managed WIFI router manages the flow of data, delivering the right information to each computer on the network. They can also be used to connect multiple networks.

Managed Router vs Unmanaged Router

In basic terms, an unmanaged switch will allow you to immediately plug-in devices into your network and use them right away. A managed switch will allow you to have much greater control over it.

Is a managed switch worth it?

A managed switch provides much better overall network performance, which should enhance speed. A managed switch is also secure, as it lets you create Access Control Lists (ACLs), which can control the specific network traffic of users by using “allow” and “deny” statements. Managed switches let you view the MAC address table to see what devices and users have accessed your device.

Should I buy managed or unmanaged switch?

A managed switch will give you more control over your network, and the traffic that moves through the device. An unmanaged switch does not have this control and handles everything automatically instead. Managed is better for more advanced users, whereas unmanaged is designed for beginners who want to build a simple network and let the technology oversee it.

Which one you choose is up to you, but if you’re comfortable with managing a LAN and configuring everything, or will an MSP to do it for you, then a managed switch is the more powerful option.

What services do we offer?

Externetworks offer network monitoring, threat monitoring, help desk services, SD-WAN deployment services, data center support, and site assessment to give you the best possible network.

How Much Does Managed Router Service Cost?

The cost of a managed router service varies based on your network size, service requirements, and provider. Instead of a fixed price, providers typically consider several factors:

• Number of sites: Managing multiple branches or locations generally increases the monthly service cost.
• Router type: Enterprise-grade routers with advanced routing features and higher-performance hardware can be more expensive to manage.
• Bandwidth: Higher bandwidth requirements may increase costs, as they often necessitate more capable hardware, monitoring, and support.
• Support coverage: 24/7 monitoring and support usually costs more than business-hours support.
• Hardware: Costs may include router purchases or leases, replacements, upgrades, and maintenance.
• Installation: Initial deployment, configuration, network integration, and on-site installation may involve one-time setup fees.
• Contract length: Longer-term contracts may offer different monthly pricing, while short-term or flexible agreements can have higher rates.

When comparing managed router services, look beyond the monthly fee and check whether hardware, installation, monitoring, support, upgrades, and troubleshooting are included. A clear breakdown of one-time and recurring costs makes it easier to compare providers and estimate the total cost of ownership.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of using a service provider?

You’ll get access to a team of experts, save on the costs of recruitment and staffing, get better IT security, get proactive support and maintenance, and high service levels.

What is Business Managed Router Service?

Business managed router service is full-service management of your router, of both hardware and software.

What is the threat of routers infected with malware?

An attack on your router could affect any device on the network, as anyone using it could be redirected to malicious websites. This can lead to data breaches, downtime, and other problems.

Why should I work with a managed router service provider?

The right service provider can keep your router performing optimally and can deliver 24/7 support and network monitoring.

What is Managed Router Service?

Managed Router Services helps to enhance the performance of WAN and its accompanying LANs.