EdgeSwitches have an optional web interface overlay called UISP, which is similar to the UniFi controller. UISP is limited when it comes to EdgeSwitch configuration, and it doesn’t have every option that the device’s individual web GUI or CLI has. Think of UISP as an easy way to monitor all of your AirMAX, LTU and EdgeMAX devices, rather than a single interface for configuring everything like the UniFi controller. UniFi Switches offer a variety of features, including 10G SFP+ ports, PoE+ or PoE++ support, and Layer 3* switching capabilities. Managed and configured by the UniFi Network Controller with UniFi mobile app support, the USW-24-POE offers an extensive suite of advanced Layer 2 switching protocols and features, including operation mode (switching, mirroring, or aggregate) per port. The UniFi Network Controller and mobile app allow admins to configure and monitor virtually all of the switch features in a graphical user interface from anywhere. The main point I’m trying to make here is that if you expect a UniFi switch to be your only layer 3 device, you’re going to be disappointed. Adding layer 3 at the switch level usually doesn’t make sense in small to medium sized networks, and I wouldn’t recommend relying on UniFi layer 3 switches in general. If you’re working on a large multi-building network with high requirements, UniFi may not be the best fit. I’ll cover this in more detail if I ever get around to finishing my USW-Enterprise-8-PoE review.

Ubiquiti UniFi 24 Port PoE Pro Switch (USW-Pro-24-POE) - 4Gon Ubiquiti UniFi 24 Port PoE Pro Switch (USW-Pro-24-POE) - 4Gon

In the event of a UniFi switch power supply failure, the USP-RPS automatically supplies redundant power to the failed device. One UniFi SmartPower device can support up to 6 devices until the failed device is replaced. Do not have a serial console port. All management has to be done over Ethernet in-band. (EdgeSwitches still have console ports!) We recommend that you protect your networks from harmful outdoor environments and destructive ESD events with industrial-grade, shielded Ethernet cable from Ubiquiti. For more details, visit: ui.com/toughcable USW-Flex — When using PoE passthrough ( Note: this was upgraded to 802.3at PoE+ in a firmware update) 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.To break the dozens of models into understandable chunks, the first thing to cover is the 1st vs. 2nd generation. An easy way to identify which generation they belong to is what their model name begins with: PoE passthrough is when a PoE device can receive power and also pass PoE to another downstream device. A common example would be a 24 port PoE switch, feeding an In-Wall-HD access point, with a video camera connected to the In-Wall-HD. The key part is that all three devices are drawing their power from the 24-port PoE switch. In situations like that, you need to be especially careful about what PoE support your switch or voltage and amperage of your PoE injector. Putting the L2/L3 differences aside, the 2nd generation pro models also have some other advantages over the non-pro UniFi switches. 2nd Gen Pro models add Have lower fan noise — the non-pro models are fanless. The pros have fans, but are quieter than the 1st generation models.

Ubiquiti USW-PRO-24-POE Gen2 24-Port PoE+ Gigabit - Scan

PoE+ and eight PoE++ RJ45 ethernet ports have total 400W PoE budget, and two SFP+ ports offer 10Gbps uplink options. Near-silent cooling and a 1.3" touch LCM. Ubiquiti calls them “Gen2” but I am going to call them 2nd generation. Whatever you call them, Ubiquiti’s newer UniFi switches split things into a few tiers. There are models which replace the 1st generation switches, and the higher pro and enterprise tiers. Passive 24V and 48V PoE — Ubiquiti’s standard, mostly used on EdgeMAX, AirMAX, and older UniFi devicesFor outdoor applications, shielded Category 5 (or above) cabling should be used for all wired Ethernet connections and should be grounded through the AC ground of the power supply.

Ubiquiti UniFi Switch USW-24-POE - switch - 24 ports

Note: Although the cabling can be located outdoors, the UniFi Switch itself should be housed inside a protective enclosure. If you take a larger view, there are a lot of available options for switching in the UniFi ecosystem. If you don’t need multiple VLANs and a segmented network, there’s nothing wrong with grabbing a budget unmanaged gigabit switch and using it in your network. If you want to be able to use multiple VLANS and need segmentation and inter-VLAN routing, there’s enough variety in the UniFi switch lineup that you should be able to find something that fits your network. There’s also a lot of other brands out there if UniFi isn’t for you. Basic layer 3 features like static routing (supported as of firmware version 4.3.13.11253) and inter-VLAN routing. The US-XG-6-PoE has four 1/2.5/5/10 Gbps RJ45 Ethernet ports with PoE++. It also has two 10 Gbps SFP+ interfaces.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).

USW-24-POE Quick Start Guide - Ubiquiti USW-24-POE Quick Start Guide - Ubiquiti

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 It’s also worth pointing out that PoE devices don’t always consume their maximum rated power draw. The spec sheet will specify the maximum amount the device can use, but during normal operation they won’t use that much. For example, the U6-Pro requires 802.at PoE+ or 48V passive, and maxes out at 13W. During normal use it usually consumes around 5 to 7 watts of power. If you are planning on using PoE passthrough on switches like the USW-Flex, or access points like the In-Wall-HD, you should supply them with the higher-wattage PoE+ or PoE++. Devices with PoE passthrough will usually function when fed with standard 15W PoE, but will not reliably power downstream devices unless they receive their maximum rated power input. For example, the USW-Flex can provide 8W with PoE in, 20W with PoE+ in, and 46W with PoE++ in. The USW-Flex-XG is a 2nd gen model, with one 1 Gbps and four 1/2.5/5/10 Gbps RJ45 Ethernet ports. No PoE.

The Ubiquiti UniFi USW-24-POE is a configurable, Gigabit Layer 2 switch with 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports including 16 auto-sensing 802.3at PoE+ ports, and two SFP ports. Enterprise is a level above pro, featuring 2.5 or 10 Gbps RJ45 Ethernet ports,, and 10 Gbps SFP+ or 25 Gbps SFP28 interfaces.The USW-Flex-XG does not support L3 operation, but offers multiple 10 Gbps RJ45 ports in a small desktop enclosure. Expand and power your network with the UniFi® PoE Switch, part of the Ubiquiti® UniFi Enterprise System. It is available in twomodels: EdgeMAX products are managed with a per-device web interface, or via SSH. These web interfaces are not as polished or pretty as UniFi, but they expose more advanced features than UniFi does. EdgeSwitches also have the full EdgeOS CLI for configuration. If you’re familiar with JunOS or IOS, you’ll be able to figure out your way around. See Ubiquiti’s CLI Command Reference user guide for more details. The Ubiquiti UniFi USW Pro 24-POE is a configurable, Gigabit Layer 2 and Layer 3 switch with auto-sensing 802.3at PoE+ and 802.3bt PoE++.