How to Select an Appropriate Ethernet power supply switch?

Gigabit Ethernet switches, known for their low cost and relatively good functionality, have been a popular choice for network users. However, you may be aware of the trend in recent years that more and more network users are likely to purchase Power Over Ethernet (PoE) switches. Because it has many advantages and can be used in different applications. For example, it supports simultaneous transmission of power and data over a single Ethernet cable, greatly simplifying cabling and reducing network costs. The question is: How to choose the right Ethernet power switch? Any buying tips? Next, let's find out.

What type of Ethernet power switch should I buy?

Generally, power Ethernet switches are classified into three types, namely, non-management PoE switches, management PoE switches, and intelligent PoE switches. The management switch is the most popular in practice.

A non-management switch is the most basic form of a network switch. Typically, unmanaged PoE switches only allow your devices to connect to each other. It's best for homes and small offices. Such conversions are not recommended if companies deal with sensitive information such as accounting firms or banks. A non-management switch is the most basic form of a network switch.

In contrast to unmanaged PoE switches, managed switches provide complete management and security functions. It can be configured and managed correctly to provide a more tailored experience. It helps you monitor your network and control overall traffic. Such switches are commonly used in enterprise networks and data centers.

Smart PoE switch (or hybrid PoE switch) is a partially managed switch. It enables you to configure ports and set up virtual networks, but does not allow network monitoring, troubleshooting, or remote access. It is typically used for business applications such as VoIP and smaller networks.

Other major factors in purchasing an Ethernet power supply switch

In addition to choosing from the different types mentioned above, there are many other factors you need to consider when purchasing an Ethernet power switch. For example, the following aspects:

Port number: Generally, network switches have different port numbers, such as 8-port PoE switch and 24-port PoE switch. The larger the network, the more ports you need. It is best to choose a switch with more interfaces than you actually need.

Maximum power supply: The maximum power supply of the PoE switch is also important. If it is less than the total power required by your powered devices (such as IP cameras), the PoE switch will not be able to provide sufficient power for all your PoE IP cameras, and insufficient power may result in poor device performance, such as video loss.

Maximum Power consumption: You can estimate the power consumption of all powered devices (PD) in advance to see if your Ethernet power switch can support it. Generally, there are two types of PoE standards, namely, IEEE 802.3AF and IEEE 802.3AT. Ieee 802.3AF can provide up to 12.95W DC power for each PD (taking into account power losses caused by network cables), while IEEE 802.3AT can provide up to 25.5W output. PD applies only to the IEEE 802.3AT PoE standard when its power consumption is between 12.95-25.5W.

Forwarding rate: The switch processes data at different rates per second. When selecting a switch, the data forwarding rate is very important. For gigabit PoE switches, common gigabit Ethernet ports reach a rate of 1Gbps. That is, a 48-port PoE switch running at full line speed will generate 48 GBPS of traffic. If the switch supports only 32Gbps forwarding rate, it cannot run at full line speed on all ports at the same time.

Technical support: If you have any problems configuring switches or other issues, you may want to consider whether the Ethernet power switch provider provides a local support team to support you.