NETGEAR GS724TP 26-port PoE+ smart managed switch: specs and who it suits

The NETGEAR GS724TP is a 26-port smart managed network switch with Power over Ethernet (PoE+) on 24 of its ports. It is aimed at small offices, shops, schools and home labs that need to connect many wired devices and power some of them, such as access points and cameras, through the same cable. This page explains the specs and what to confirm before planning a network around it.

Ports: 24 Gigabit and 2 SFP

The switch has 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports, each running at up to 1 Gbps, plus two 1G SFP ports. SFP ports take small pluggable modules, either fibre or copper, and are commonly used for uplinks to another switch or a longer cable run than copper allows. The SFP modules themselves are generally sold separately, so check what the listing includes.

PoE+ and the 190W power total

All 24 copper ports support PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at), which sends power along with data and can supply up to 30W per port at the device's end of the cable in the standard's terms. The key figure is the total power: NETGEAR lists 190W across the switch. That's shared among all ports, so it won't power 24 devices that each draw the full 30W. For example, a mix of access points and IP phones, which typically draw much less than the maximum, can fit comfortably. Add up your devices' actual requirements.

Smart managed software

"Smart managed" sits between an unmanaged switch and a fully managed one. NETGEAR describes a web interface with managed control for secure setup and access, and SNMP support (NMS 300). Typical features at this level include VLANs, which separate groups of devices on the same hardware, and port-level settings. Check the spec sheet for the exact list of features.

Insight cloud management

The switch works with NETGEAR Insight, an optional app and cloud service for managing a network remotely from anywhere. The word "optional" matters: the switch also works through its own web interface, and the details of any Insight subscription tiers are on NETGEAR's site.

Desktop or rack mounting

NETGEAR says the switch can sit on a desk or mount in a rack, with the mounting hardware in the box. It is a full-width, 19-inch-class unit, with listing dimensions of 22.2 x 12.5 x 3.5 inches. The listing weight is shown as 0.4 lb, which looks like a data error for a unit this size, so confirm the weight with the manufacturer if you are mounting it somewhere with limits.

Warranty, support and efficiency

The listing describes a lifetime limited hardware warranty, next-business-day replacement and 24/7 chat with a NETGEAR expert. The design complies with IEEE 802.3az energy-efficient Ethernet, which lets ports reduce power when idle. This model is for use in North America.

Who it suits

It suits small businesses and homes with many cabled devices, such as wireless access points, IP cameras and VoIP phones, that want power and data on one cable. It is also a fit for people who want some management features without moving to a larger enterprise switch.

What to check before you buy

• Total PoE power: add up the wattage of every PoE device and compare it with 190W.
• PoE standards: confirm your devices use 802.3af or 802.3at.
• Uplinks: decide whether you need the SFP ports and what modules or cables they require.
• Space and cooling: check rack or shelf size, and leave room for ventilation and fan noise as the manual describes.
• Management: confirm the features you need (VLANs, monitoring) are in the software.
• Region: this model is listed for North America.

The short version

• A 26-port smart managed switch: 24 Gigabit ports plus 2 SFP.
• 24 PoE+ ports sharing 190W of total PoE power.
• Web interface, SNMP support and optional Insight cloud management.
• Desktop or rackmount, with mounting hardware included.
• Lifetime limited hardware warranty, as listed by NETGEAR.

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