Ubiquiti UniFi US-48-500W 48-Port PoE Switch: features, specs and who it suits

The Ubiquiti UniFi Switch US-48-500W is a rack-mount managed switch with 48 Gigabit ports that can supply Power over Ethernet. It is part of the UniFi system, so it is configured and monitored from the UniFi Controller. It targets offices, schools, shops and larger homes where many wired devices, such as access points and cameras, need both data and power.

Ports, PoE and uplinks

All 48 ports are Gigabit. Ubiquiti says they auto-sense IEEE 802.3af/at PoE, which means the switch detects a compatible powered device and supplies power over the same cable. The description also mentions configurable 24V PoE, which is a passive option for some Ubiquiti gear, so check each device's requirements before plugging it in.

For uplinks, the switch has two SFP ports (up to 1 Gbps) and two SFP+ ports (up to 10 Gbps). SFP slots take pluggable modules, which can be fibre or copper, so they suit linking to another switch or a distant building. Modules are typically sold separately.

Capacity and power

Ubiquiti lists a switching capacity of 140 Gbps and says the switch can process traffic on all ports at line rate without packet loss. The maximum power consumption is 500W, which includes the power delivered to connected PoE devices. Add up the PoE draw of your devices to see how it fits that figure. Power input is 100-240VAC at 50-60 Hz, and the operating temperature is 23 to 104°F (-5 to 40°C).

Per-port settings and security

Each port can be set up individually. The listing mentions port name, PoE, network or VLAN configuration, and operation mode (switching, mirroring or aggregate). It also lists 802.1X authentication and RADIUS VLAN support, which are used to control which devices may join a network and to place them into the right VLAN automatically. The management features are described as Layer-2 switching.

Fans and noise

The switch has up to three fan levels. Ubiquiti gives sound figures of 10.7 dBr at Fan Level 0 up to 23.6 dBr at Level 3, and a background noise level of 27.5 dB. A 48-port PoE unit is still a rack device, so it is usually best in a closet, cabinet or equipment room rather than a quiet living space.

Size and what's in the box

The unit measures 19.09 x 14.75 x 1.72 inches and weighs 13.5 lb (about 6.1 kg), which is a standard 1U rack width. The box includes the switch, a power cord, four mounting screws, four cage nuts and a quick start guide.

Who it suits

It suits a site that already uses, or plans to use, UniFi gear, and that wants one switch to power and connect many devices. Because it needs the UniFi Controller for setup and monitoring, it is less natural for someone who prefers a plain unmanaged switch.

What to check before you buy

• Rack space: confirm you have a 1U slot and enough depth.
• PoE power: total up the draw of your devices against the switch's limits in the datasheet.
• Device PoE type: check each device supports 802.3af/at or the 24V option.
• Uplink modules: decide whether you need SFP or SFP+ modules and which cables.
• Controller: plan where the UniFi Controller will run.
• Noise and cooling: allow ventilation and think about where the fans will sit.

The short version

• A managed 48-port Gigabit switch with auto-sensing 802.3af/at PoE.
• Two SFP and two SFP+ uplink ports, up to 10 Gbps.
• 140 Gbps switching capacity and 500W maximum power consumption.
• Per-port settings, 802.1X and RADIUS VLAN support.
• Managed with the UniFi Controller.

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