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NETGEAR GS316EP 16-Port PoE+ Gigabit Switch: features, specs and who it suits
A 16-port Gigabit Plus switch with 15 PoE+ ports sharing 180W of PoE power, one SFP uplink and basic managed features such as VLANs and QoS. What the specs mean.
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The NETGEAR GS316EP is a 16-port Gigabit Ethernet switch that can power devices over the network cable. Fifteen ports supply PoE+, and a 180W total power allowance is shared between them. It sits in NETGEAR's "Plus" range, which adds basic management to a simple switch. Here is what the specifications mean.
What PoE+ does
Power over Ethernet (PoE) sends electrical power along with data through one network cable, so devices such as IP cameras, VoIP phones and wireless access points do not need a nearby outlet. PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at) allows up to about 30W per port, which covers most cameras and access points. NETGEAR names VoIP phones, IP cameras for surveillance and wireless access points as typical uses.
The 180W power limit
Fifteen ports support PoE+, but the switch shares a total of 180W among them. That means not every port can deliver full power at once. For example, six devices drawing 30W each would use all of it. Many devices use much less than the maximum, so add up what yours actually draw, using their datasheets.
Ports and uplink
There are 15 Gigabit Ethernet ports with PoE+, plus one 1G SFP port. SFP is a slot that takes a small module, either fibre or copper, and is commonly used to link to another switch or a router some distance away. The listing counts 16 ports in total, so check which are RJ45 and which are SFP.
Plus management features
The Plus software offers basic managed capabilities through a web browser or mobile interface. NETGEAR lists:
- VLANs and Management VLAN: separate groups of devices, such as cameras and office computers, on one switch.
- QoS: prioritise some traffic, such as phone calls.
- IGMP Snooping: limit multicast traffic to the devices that need it.
- Per-port PoE control and uninterrupted PoE: switch power per port and keep PoE devices running.
Placement and noise
The switch can sit on a desk or be wall mounted. NETGEAR describes silent operation, which suits offices and homes. It measures about 13.5 x 6.8 x 5.0 inches and weighs 5.1 lb (about 2.3 kg). The listing says it complies with IEEE 802.3az energy-efficient Ethernet and carries a 3-year limited hardware warranty. It is marked as made for use in the U.S. and Canada only.
Who it suits
It suits small offices, shops and homes that run several PoE devices and want simple VLANs without a full enterprise switch. It is not a fully managed switch, so complex setups may need more features.
What to check before you buy
- Total power: add up the draw of all your PoE devices against 180W.
- Device standard: check that each device uses PoE or PoE+.
- Cable runs: Ethernet cable runs are typically limited to 100 metres.
- Management needs: confirm the Plus features cover your VLAN and QoS needs.
- Uplink: decide whether you will use the SFP port, and which module you need.
- Region: the unit is for use in the U.S. and Canada.
The short version
- A 16-port Gigabit switch with 15 PoE+ ports and one 1G SFP port.
- 180W total PoE power shared across ports.
- Plus web management: VLANs, QoS, IGMP Snooping and per-port PoE control.
- Desktop or wall mount; silent operation, according to NETGEAR.
- 3-year limited hardware warranty; for U.S. and Canada use.
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