Network Switches

No, only a one or two people who do not understand digital data transmission have suggested degradation of the digital signal. That vast majority of the posts have spoke to electrical noise being the most likely culprit.

So if electrical noise does not degrade the digital signal, why do I need this special switch? 

I don't understand why people think it's technically impossible for a switch to introduce noise in the component chain.  Switches are powered by electricity and contain fans, chips, printed circuit boards and power supplies.  This isn't an argument about bits are bit and 0's and 1's or buffering or any of the well understood ethernet data transfer protocols - its about noise.  Why is this so difficult?

@jason_k2017

This isn't about degrading a digital signal, it's about electrical noise riding on the line.  What do you think shields ethernet cable?  It's wrapped in foil or braided wires - yes, conductors of electricity.

 So if electrical noise does not degrade the digital signal, why do I need this special switch? 

Still nobody is answering me
Why, if the digital signal is not being degraded and is therefore reaching its destination intact (which is all that matters), do I need a 'special' switch

Why, if the digital signal is not being degraded and is therefore reaching its destination intact (which is all that matters), do I need a 'special' switch?

@jason

I don't think a special switch is needed unless the hardware is adding noise to the chain via RF/EM interference.  One way to address this noise, if being introduced via the switch hardware, "could" be using a different switch that doesn't introduce this noise on the line.  I personally do not subscribe to any theory about digital signal getting degraded but I know as a fact that electrical gear can be sources of noise in an audio system.  Do you deny this????

I strongly disagree with your assertion that a digital signal reaching its destination intact is all that matters.  Introducing new electrical noise along the path also matters! Why are you choosing to ignore this?  It's because you're cherry picking your argument.  Very few disagree with your assertion on the bits arriving intact!  Yes - we get that.