Power over Ethernet (PoE) switches are becoming increasingly popular for home networking, as they allow users to power their access points and other PoE devices over the same Ethernet cable that they use for data transmission. This can save users the hassle of having to run separate power cables to each device, and it can also help to keep networks tidy and organised. Seemingly out of nowhere, Ubiquiti recently announced a new UniFi switch: the Professional 8 PoE. It is a desktop model with a similar enclosure to the existing Enterprise 8 PoE. It has most of the same features, too: layer 3 support, 120W of PoE budget, two 10 Gbps SFP+ slots, and a small touchscreen.

switches to use with Ubiquiti Unifi Access Points Which switches to use with Ubiquiti Unifi Access Points

I’m running one cable over the roof (into centre of house) so need a 10 gig hub I can plug my pc into too. Then one for the WiFi point. PoE switches, by their very nature, generate a lot of heat. This is because they are constantly providing power to devices over Ethernet cables. While some PoE switches use fans to keep themselves cool, the Ubiquiti models mentioned do not. n Ubiquiti Unifi terms, this would be considered a legacy PoE type. Previously, it ran everything, but Ubiquiti has phased it out, and none of the latest WiFi 6 models use it. Many of the WiFi 5 models could use 24v Passive, but they could also use PoE (802.3af), so it wasn't really required. 24v Passive is still used in Ubiquiti's UISP range. When choosing a switch for your Ubiquiti Unifi Access Points, you may not need to use a Ubiquiti Unifi switch. For most home networking deployments, a Unifi switch is significantly over-specced, as 99% of the features are never used. In our opinion, it would be better to spend your money on additional access points or a good router.

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To be clear, we are not suggesting that Ubiquiti Unifi switches are not of high quality. They are excellent and we use them regularly, particularly in commercial and business deployments. Our point is that they will not make a significant difference in a simple home deployment. This is a simple comparison. The two 60W 802.3bt PoE++ ports become 30W 802.3at PoE+, but all eight Ethernet ports move from 1 Gbps to 2.5 Gbps. The Pro 8 PoE mentions metal as part of its enclosure, the Enterprise 8 PoE does not. The Enterprise 8 PoE is slightly heavier and hotter, but they are mostly the same otherwise. The latest generation of PoE switches from Unifi is a little disappointing. The PoE demand of the new generation of Unifi Access Points has increased, while the PoE output of the less expensive Unifi switches has decreased. This means that for deployments with more than a few PoE devices, you will either need to use multiple switches or spend a significant amount of money on the more expensive models. This is unfortunate, as the previous generation of Unifi switches, such as the US-8 150W or the US-16 150W, offered much more generous PoE output while still being reasonably priced. It is quite difficult to find 24v Passive PoE switches, but some Unifi models can provide 24v Passive (as detailed in the table below). The important thing to understand about 24v passive is that it will not work unless the switch is specifically designed for it (or has the ability to be changed to 24v Passive). The Ubiquiti USW-Enterprise-24-PoE is a cutting-edge managed Layer 3 switch designed for high-performance networking. With 24 ports, it offers ample connectivity options for diverse networking needs. This switch is part of Ubiquiti's renowned UniFi series, known for its reliability and advanced features. The switch is designed to handle complex network configurations and is ideal for both small and large-scale deployments. Its robust build ensures durability, while its advanced management features make network monitoring and configuration a breeze.

UniFi Switch USW-FLEX-XG 10G M PoE+ - Switch no power poe Ubiquiti UniFi Switch USW-FLEX-XG 10G M PoE+ - Switch no power

Awesome product. Had been considering buying one for ages, finally pulled the trigger and wished I'd done so earlier. Will come in very handy now I have plenty of spare PoE ports. Awesome product. Had been considering buying one for ages, finally pulled the trigger and wished I'd done so earlier. Will come in very handy now I have plenty of spare PoE ports. PoE injectors are a simple solution for a single Access Point. They are pretty cheap and a good option if you plan to deploy just one or maybe two Access Points. For those using UniFi for business or more professional uses, Meraki is often thought of as a competitor. Meraki is made by Cisco, offering well-designed software and hardware with centralized cloud management. Unfortunately, Meraki equipment requires licensing, greatly increasing the overall cost. We have a few criteria that we look for in a PoE switch, and we make sure that the switch is capable of meeting these criteria before we deploy it. There is still some Cisco-ness to the small business switches, but they are significantly cheaper and simpler than their Catalyst 9000 models. The Small Business 220 and 250 offer very competitive pricing for similar hardware, and the 350 and Catalyst 1000 line are a step up in price, but a big step up in many other areas as well. If you want a layer 3 switch, the features you'll find on even a cut-down Small Business model will be significantly more complete, more documented, and more likely to do what you want to do.

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However, for anything over one or two Access Points, we recommend using a PoE switch. PoE switches are generally more reliable and provide a neater solution. I have seen deployments where 10+ PoE injectors have been used, and it is a total mess! You're trying to power the AP from the switch? It's not going to work - that isn't a PoE switch. You mentioned a router, this isn't a router, it's a switch. If you want to drive yourself mad, focus on small spec differences and compare the Professional 8 PoE to every alternative out there. I prefer to zoom out and look at the new Professional 8 PoE for what it is: something to fill a small hole in a big lineup.