Ubiquiti Switch Enterprise 24 PoE: ports, power and who it suits

The Ubiquiti Switch Enterprise 24 PoE is a managed, rack-sized network switch with 24 Power over Ethernet ports, a mix of 2.5 Gigabit and Gigabit speeds, and two 10G fibre uplinks. It is meant for networks that need to connect and power many devices, such as access points, cameras and phones, from one place.

The port layout

Ubiquiti lists twelve 2.5 GbE ports and twelve GbE ports, all with PoE+, plus two 10G SFP+ ports. The 2.5G ports suit devices that can use more than gigabit speed, such as newer Wi-Fi access points, and they generally work over standard Cat5e cabling. The SFP+ slots take fibre or copper modules, and they are typically used to link to a router, a core switch or a server at 10 Gbps.

What PoE+ and 400W mean

PoE sends power to a device over its network cable. PoE+ refers to the IEEE 802.3at standard, which supplies more power per port than the original PoE. The listing gives a total PoE availability of 400W, shared across all ports. The listing also gives a total power consumption of 550W. In practice, if all 24 ports each drew the maximum PoE+ power, the total would exceed 400W, so it is worth adding up what your devices actually need.

Layer 3 switching and management

Layer 3 switching means the switch can route traffic between networks (VLANs) at wire speed, rather than sending it all through a separate router. The switch is manageable, so you can set up VLANs, monitor ports and adjust settings through software. Check Ubiquiti's documentation for the management software and controller the switch works with.

DC power backup-ready

The listing describes the switch as DC power backup-ready. In general, that means it can be connected to a DC backup source, so the network stays running through a power outage. Check the manual for the connectors and equipment involved.

Size and mounting

It measures about 12.8 x 17.4 x 1.7 inches (roughly 33 x 44 x 4.3 cm) and weighs 11.3 lb (about 5.1 kg). The width fits a standard 19-inch rack, with a height of one rack unit. Check the box for mounting hardware.

Who it suits

It suits small and mid-sized businesses, schools, and ambitious home networks that need many PoE devices, 2.5G speeds for newer equipment and routing between VLANs. For a small setup with only a few devices, a smaller switch would probably be enough.

What to check before you buy

• PoE power: add up the maximum draw of every device you plan to power and compare it with the 400W total.
• Device standards: confirm that your devices use PoE or PoE+, and check whether any need more power.
• Uplink modules: the SFP+ slots need compatible modules or cables, which are separate items.
• Management: check which software or controller manages the switch, and whether it suits your network.
• Rack space and cooling: allow room for airflow, and follow the manual on placement.
• Power and installation: follow the manual and local electrical codes, and use a suitable outlet or backup source.

The short version

• A managed 24-port Layer 3 switch: twelve 2.5 GbE and twelve GbE ports, all PoE+.
• Two 10G SFP+ ports for uplinks.
• 400W total PoE, with a 550W overall power consumption.
• DC power backup-ready; about 11.3 lb.
• Suited to networks with many PoE devices and a need for VLAN routing.

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