Ubiquiti USW-Pro-8-PoE Managed Switch: features, specs and who it suits

The Ubiquiti USW-Pro-8-PoE is an eight-port managed Gigabit network switch that can also power devices over the Ethernet cable. It adds two 10G SFP+ ports for fast uplinks, and Ubiquiti calls it a Layer 3 switch. It suits small offices, home labs and installations with several PoE devices. Here is what the listed specs mean.

Ports at a glance

According to Ubiquiti, the switch has:

• Six GbE PoE+ ports: Gigabit Ethernet that can also supply power.
• Two GbE PoE++ ports: Gigabit Ethernet that can supply more power per port.
• Two 10G SFP+ ports: slots for fibre or direct-attach modules, typically used to link switches together or to a faster uplink.

What PoE, PoE+ and PoE++ mean

Power over Ethernet sends electrical power along the same cable as data, so a device needs no separate power adapter. PoE+ (802.3at) typically provides up to about 30W per port, and PoE++ (802.3bt) provides more, often up to about 60W. Typical PoE+ devices include wireless access points and IP cameras. The higher PoE++ ports suit more demanding devices such as some PTZ cameras. Check each device's power requirements.

The 120W power pool

The switch lists 120W of total PoE availability. This is a shared pool, not a per-port figure. Eight ports could therefore not all deliver their maximum at once. Add up the power draw of the devices you plan to connect and leave headroom.

Managed and Layer 3

A managed switch lets you configure features such as VLANs (separating traffic into virtual networks), port settings and monitoring. Layer 3 means the switch can route traffic between networks, not just forward it within one. Ubiquiti's switches are normally configured through its UniFi software, but the listing doesn't say so, so check the product page for the management options and the supported features.

10G uplinks

The two SFP+ ports run at up to 10 Gb/s. They are useful for connecting to another switch, a server or a router with a faster link, so the eight Gigabit ports are not squeezed through a single Gigabit connection. SFP+ modules or cables are bought separately, and the listing does not include them.

Size

The listed dimensions are 10.0 x 3.0 x 14.0 inches and the weight is 4.6 lb. These probably describe the packaged unit, so check the manual for installation size, and whether it mounts in a rack or sits on a desk.

Who it suits

It suits small businesses, home offices and enthusiasts who run PoE devices such as access points and cameras, and who want VLANs and routing on one compact switch.

What to check before you buy

• PoE power: total the power needs of your devices against 120W.
• Device standards: confirm that your devices use PoE+ or PoE++.
• Uplinks: decide whether you need SFP+ modules or cables, and which type.
• Management: check which controller or software you will use and that it supports this model.
• Mounting and cooling: check the manual for rack or desk placement and ventilation.
• Cabling: use suitable Ethernet cable for the distance and power.

The short version

• An eight-port managed Layer 3 Gigabit switch.
• Six PoE+ and two PoE++ ports, with 120W of total PoE power.
• Two 10G SFP+ ports for uplinks.
• Suited to small offices, home labs and PoE device setups.

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