The Enterprise 8 PoE doesn’t have a built-in web user interface, nor does it work with Ubquiti’s UniFi mobile app. However, like any Ubiquiti’s business hardware — similar to those in the UniFi family — it is designed to be managed via an UniFi-OS hardware controller. The switch’s small touchscreen allows access to the switch’s various settings accessible via vertical or horizontal scrolling/swiping. Simple plug-n-play setup, helpful touchscreen Ubiquiti UniFi Gen2 Switches offer a variety of features, including 10G SFP+ ports, PoE+ or PoE++ support, and Layer 3* switching capabilities. (*Layer 3 switching will be available in a future software release) For comparison, the Zyxel XS1930-12HP features two SFP+ ports, but its ten PoE++ ports are all 10Gbps Mulit-Gig. The table below will highlight the differences between the two. Ubiquiti Switch Enterprise 8 PoE vs Zyxel XS1930-12: Hardware specifications The USW-EnterpriseXG-24 is a 2nd gen model, with twenty-four 1/2.5/5/10 Gbps RJ45 and two 25 Gbps SFP28 interfaces. No PoE.

I tried that out with the switch and could use its more advanced features, including port settings and bandwidth management, as shown in the screenshots above. However, none of these extras is essential for any home.The Enterprise 8 PoE is not a PoE++ switch, so if you have PoE++ devices requiring higher power draws, you’ll need a different switch, like the Zyxel XS1930-12HP. Or you can get a separate injector. Ubiquiti Switch Enterprise 8 PoE’s real-world sustained throughputs. Its SFP+ ports were tested with Base-T 10Gbps adapters. Note: Please refer to model-specific datasheets found on the UI Store for more detailed information. PoE Availability and Power Requirements

UniFi Switch Enterprise models, coming later this year, are ideal solutions for demanding deployments. These switches are designed to direct a staggering amount of data and fully harness the power of UniFi 6 products. Basic layer 3 features like static routing (supported as of firmware version 4.3.13.11253) and inter-VLAN routing. In the end, I had to use two TP-Link TL-SM5310-T adapters for the testing, and it was impossible to know if they caused them to perform slower than a true 10Gbps connection, as shown on the charts. Considering the uplink role, though, the SFP+ ports’ sustained rate, in my case, was still more than fast enough. All you have to do is plug it in, and that’s it, just like any unmanaged switch. Use one of its ports to connect to the existing switch or router, and the remaining ports will work as extensions of the wired network. The BASE-T wiring is more popular thanks to its simple design and flexibility in speed support. Some routers and switches have an RJ45/SFP+ combo which includes two physical ports of each type, but you can use one at a time.One thing to note: for the best and most reliable performance, you should use one of the SFP+ ports for the uplink connection. An SFP+ to RJ45 converter is necessary if your existing network doesn’t have an available SFP+ port.

Deciding between UniFi, EdgeMAX, UISP, or some other brand depends on your needs. The right solution varies with what kind of network you are trying to build, and what features you need to accomplish that. If you are comfortable with command line configuration and have complex needs, another vendor is probably a better option. This guide focuses on UniFi switches, but it’s worth noting some EdgeSwitch models are the same hardware as the first generation UniFi switches, with an EdgeOS CLI and UISP instead of the UniFi controller. The newer UISP switches are not as mature, but are worth considering if you want your switch to tie into the UISP NMS and UCRM software. I’ll use the PoE, PoE+, PoE++ names as shorthand. It is important to consider the type of PoE you need for your devices, and to make sure that you have enough PoE budget on your switch to power all your devices. Otherwise, you will need to rely on separate power injectors. PoE Passthrough Most UniFi switches operate at layer 2, meaning they can handle VLANs but cannot act as a router. The 2nd generation pro and enterprise UniFi switches have some layer 3 features such as static inter-VLAN routing and DHCP, but they require a separate router or firewall for everything else. UniFi L3 switches can’t compete with a true enterprise product from a vendor like Cisco or Juniper. UniFi switches are a fraction of the price and don’t require licensing, so they compete in different markets. As with all network design and purchasing decisions, what matters most is your budget and your use case. One limitation of the regular second generation switches is their limited PoE budget. PoE budget refers to the total amount of power available for all PoE devices. Since the non-pro 2nd generation models are fanless, they also have smaller power supplies, and a smaller PoE budget.

The Ubiquiti Switch Enterprise 8 PoE’s two SFP+ ports can be turned into Multi-Gig ports via adapters — necessary when your existing network doesn’t have an SFP+ port. Shown in the pic are two TP-Link TL-SM5310-T (not included) used for the testing. Generally, for home use, it’s best to treat the Enterprise 8 PoE as a standalone unmanaged Multi-Gig PoE+ switch. There’s no point in complicating things unnecessarily. Ubiquiti Switch Enterprise 8 PoE: Reliable with excellent Multi-Gig performance Do not have a serial console port. All management has to be done over Ethernet in-band. (EdgeSwitches still have console ports!) Generally, you can get an adapter to connect a BASE-T device to an SFP or SFP+ port. Still, in this case, compatibility can be an issue — a particular adapter might only work (well) with the SFP/+ port of certain hardware vendors.