PoE Switch: A Reliable Companion for IP Cameras

What is a PoE switch?

Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a technology simplifies cabling as part of your network deployment. Unlike traditional cabling solutions, PoE switches can provide data connection and power supply through a single Ethernet cable. Simply put, PoE switches help quickly establish a network without extra power outlets and adapters.

Why do I need a PoE switch in an IP camera system?

Nowadays, PoE switches are widely used to connect numerous PoE-compatible devices. They are an ideal companion for IP cameras. PoE switches can provide data connection and power supply simultaneously with an Ethernet cable when installing IP cameras. You don’t need to worry if there are enough power sockets nearby. Also, a PoE switch can identify whether the power supply is required. It is safer than passive PoE as it can stop your devices from burning out.

The PoE switch can connect multiple IP cameras to a Network Video Recorder (NVR) for video recording, simplifying IP camera deployment. PoE switches also help troubleshoot the IP cameras. Advanced features like PoE auto-recovery can consistently monitor the operational status of your cameras and cut the power to restart the camera when necessary, saving you from checking the IP cameras one by one on site.

What is the right PoE switch for my IP camera system?

It is necessary to consider several factors to decide a suitable PoE switch for your IP camera system:

• Port number of the switch

It is a good idea to consider the number of devices in your network in advance when choosing a PoE switch. You can go for the switch with sufficient ports, such as the 8-port PoE switch or the 16-port PoE switch. It is worth noting that not all connected devices in your network need a power supply by the switch in most cases. For example, you don’t need a switch to power a PC or NVR, but you can still connect them to a PoE switch, and the switch will tell whether power supply is required. You can choose switches with both PoE ports and non-PoE ports for your network if you have both PoE and non-PoE devices.

• IP camera power consumption

When choosing a PoE switch, it is important to know how much power your IP cameras need. You can check the PoE standard your device complies with and note that these standards are backward compatible. At present, there are three mainstream standards: 1) PoE (802.3af) supporting up to 15.4 W per port; 2) PoE+ (802.3at) supporting up to 30 W per port; and 3) PoE++ (802.3bt) supporting up to 60 W / 90 W per port.

• Switch PoE Budget

The PoE budget refers to the maximum power supply of a PoE switch. It is a critical factor in choosing a suitable PoE switch that will not undermine the performance of your IP camera system. Ensure the total power your cameras need does not exceed the PoE budget and save margin for the power loss in the process, otherwise, data loss and camera poor performance may happen due to insufficient power supply.

• Port Speed

A PoE switch not only supplies power but also carries data, and thus we should also take bandwidth capacity in account. Switches are categorized according to their port speed. A fast-Ethernet port can offer the bandwidth capacity of 10-100 Mbps, while a gigabit-Ethernet port can offer up to 1000 Mbps. Normally, IP cameras do not usually consume much bandwidth, and a fast-Ethernet PoE switch will do the job. However, if you are going to connect other bandwidth-demanding devices to the switch, you may need a gigabit switch.

• Managed Functionality

There are managed PoE switches and unmanaged PoE switches that differ in terms of managed functionality. An unmanaged switch is a plug-and-play device without any setup process that can be easily deployed in your IP camera system. A managed switch requires setup and configuration, allowing better network monitoring and management.

An unmanaged PoE switch is cost-effective for home users and can meet the power supply requirement, A managed switch ensures higher security and flexibility for enterprises and factories with higher demands.

To know more about PoE switches, check out the page: Empowering Your Business Growth – TP-Link PoE Switches

We can also help you choose a suitable PoE switch. Just answer some short questions, and we’ll show you the switches that best fit your needs: PoE Switch Buying Guide.

TP-Link has developed an extensive portfolio of PoE switches to suit various applications. Check out our products and find the most suitable one for your IP camera system.

TL-SF1006P: 6-Port 10/100Mbps Desktop Switch with 4-Port PoE+

As an entry-level unmanaged PoE switch, TL-SF1006P is equipped with 4 PoE+ downlink ports and two uplink ports, which can connect up to 4 IP cameras, a router, and an NVR.

• Works with IEEE 802.3af/at compliant PDs
• Up to 250m data and power transmitting range under Extend Mode
• Priority Mode ensures high priority of ports 1–2 to guarantee the quality of the sensitive application
• Supports PoE Power up to 30 W for each PoE port, and up to 67 W for all PoE ports

TL-SL1311MP: 8-Port 10/100Mbps + 3-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch with 8-Port PoE+

TL-SL1311MP is equipped with 8 PoE+ 10/100 Mbps ports, 2 Gigabit ports, and 1 gigabit SFP slot, which can supply power to IP cameras while providing high-speed internet to connected devices.

• Works with IEEE 802.3af/at compliant PDs
• Supports PoE Power up to 30 W for each PoE port, and up to 124 W for 8 PoE ports
• Up to 250 m data and power transmitting range under Extend Mode
• Isolation Mode allows one-click client traffic separation for higher security and performance
• PoE Auto Recovery guarantees stable operation of PoE devices by automatically rebooting the dropped or unresponsive PD devices

TL-SL1226P: v24-Port 10/100Mbps + 2-Port Gigabit Rackmount Switch with 24-Port PoE+

TL-SL1226P is equipped with 24 PoE+ 10/100 Mbps ports, two gigabit ports, and two combo gigabit SFP slots, making it an ideal choice for an extensive surveillance system.

• High PoE power budget with up to 30 W for each PoE port and 250 W for all PoE ports
• Up to 250 m data and power PoE transmission range under Extend Mode
• Priority Mode ensures high priority of ports 1–8 to guarantee the quality of sensitive applications like a video monitor
• Isolation Mode allows one-click client traffic separation for higher security and performance