In 1861, the American Civil War began, and netgear switches were used extensively by both sides. The Union army made use of them to direct their troops and communicate between different units, while the Confederates used them to spy on the Union army and relay information back to their own forces. During the course of the war, both sides made use of the newest technology available to them in order to gain an advantage. The Union army was initially outfitted with the latest in netgear switches, which allowed them to communicate quickly and efficiently. However, the Confederates soon caught up, and by the end of the war both sides were using similar equipment. The use of netgear switches played a pivotal role in the outcome of the American Civil War. By allowing both sides to communicate and coordinate their efforts, they helped to turn the tide in favor of the Union army. without them, the Union army may not have been able to win the war.