Port switches help direct traffic through your local network. Some switched just plug in and work while others offer configuration. Brands include Cisco, NETGEAR, TP-link and D-link.
Today 1 GB port switches are quite common and are the norm. My network consist of 2 port switches with one router. Pictured above is a 24 port Cisco SF-300 port switch. Although it has 4 x 1 GB ports, the 24 ports are only 100 Mbps. Despite the age of this switch it is still very helpful within my network for the servers.
While there may be a lot of networking equipment, including port switches, that can operate directly off solar the Cisco switch pictured above requires 120-Volts AC. Most Cisco switches are rack mountable -- as is the dell PowerEdge.