Managed or un-managed POE Switch.....??

JanJ · 2025-06-19T12:27:27+00:00

At present, I have 2 main switches: One POE, for security cameras and ‘Bogus Gateway’ (gateway just for cameras, so they can’t get to internet) – and other GB switch for all others… I externally monitor cameras via an app on NAS…. The 16 port POE switch: GOALAKE (Don’t Bother!!) can’t seem to handle a full load, be it POE or not POE…. I have reduced the POE loading to 7, non POE connections to 2… (Total connections=9) to get around this limitation, which fixed the issue, but forced me to bring out of retirement the very POE switch I was trying to retire to get all POE’s items operational! GRRRR! So a new POE Switch will be purchased later this year: (16 port POE switch: tp-link TL-SG1218MP V5, if un-managed) As mentioned above, I don’t have managed switches…. (And Packet Sniffer custom rules prevent me from changing IP of security cameras, so VLAN is not presently viable here – another reason for the ’Bogus Gateway just for cameras)…. If my plans don’t now need a Managed POE switch, but I see the $$ Difference is $40-60 for a managed switch…. Though I’m not presently needing the configuration power of a managed switch now…. Should I still consider purchasing a managed POE switch, in case my needs change in future? Could it be configured to act as if it was un-managed for now? Again, Have Firewall(s) in Router and NAS’s; Packet sniffer in Router with many custom IP based rules… and security cameras have gateway entered that exists, but has no WAN/Internet connection (This also minimizes the “Where is?” communications on LAN.)… I’m self taught….. What would you do? Thanks for your suggestions…

JanJ

In an attempt to get 115% out of the unit before purchasing. I discover the optic ports are only GB: SPF, not SPF+..
AT $200, the TL-SG1428PE will fill my needs, but in order to get best bang for my bucks……and I know its managed options are somewhat limited……. which I’m ok with.
If I stepped up to next version of 24 port + of managed Poe switch, OF ANY MFG, though I’m only going to be using monitoring for right now, is there any benefit to getting a unit with SPF+ ports spas to be able to support a gereater LAN SPEED: 2.5,5, 10? In this for future proofing?
I’ve got a little over a month before purchase.
Just trying to cover all bases…..
Thank You

Dick

JanJ any benefit to getting a unit with SPF+ ports

My 2 ¢.
Unless you have a NAS that is 10Gbps capable (or a server with multiple VMs), a lot of LAN traffic (video editing, heavy CAD, etc.), a router with an SFP+ port and/or 10GbE ports, not worth it. Also note that most (if not all) POE switches with SFP+ ports would be business/PRO L3 managed switches. You would be better off with the TL-SG1428PE for your current POE needs and have a non POE switch for a future 10Gbps LAN (many more options available).
I doubt you currently max out your 1Gpbs LAN.

JanJ

Thank you Dick! Yes TL-SG1428PE was what I’ve selected, just awaiting the purchase to line it up with birthday (told my Daughters this week: Dad wants Gift - Birthday - Retired - Fixed Income - Yada-Yada!!!)…. I don’t have any >1GB connections, and only device that could benefit from LAG is my main edit system and NAS, but that already - edit system - already has a Raid0 SSD array, and with source footage coming off a card slot, and 3 users at most - That system really would not benefit from LAG, as I understand it. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Monitoring data connections and POE per port, and having a POE Switch that doesn’t peter out at 9 of so connections on a 16 port switch that I had planned on stuffing with 15 devices into - and because I had to fall back on old switch I had planned on Retiring 🤬 in order to continue!
And then realizing the CRAP switch I bought was 100MB inputs: I’ll be replacing a 16 port 100MB POE, with 24 port POE GB Managed Switch. That should support 15 devices, and clean up the Work around rats nest of cables created to quickly wire devices back into a switch I planned on retiring after purchasing the new switch in the first place!🤬🤬🤬 Now: That’s The Plan!
And 24 should allow for expansion, and let me learn new things, at a later time, too!

JanJ

Received the TL-SG1428PE managed POE switch today. Tested all ports. Then updated firmware to latest version. It’s now running on the desktop for a day or two. Then I’ll start replacing the GOALAKE POE switch that has been so intermittent if I attempt to use just 6 of the it 16 ports it is masquerading as - let alone 11 or 12 POE devices! This will clean up the cabling in rack, that was supposed to be done with GOALAKE, but due to the limitations of that POE switch, all the cabling that was supposed to be cleaned up by that switch, had to be reinstalled to overcome the GOALAKE Issues!

JanJ

Install day!
Worked flawless with ALL devices. Not just 6!
Not seeing ANY after Boot-up camera settings changes.
Prior issues Were neither:
A connection issue as visible port by port in monitoring. (No bad packets sent or received).
Nor a POE power issue (All cameras total 32 Watts. When all cameras are POE booted) ….
Issue was GOALAKE POE switch. (Now I have confirmation!)
Even seeing a subtle multi camera display speed increase from within Surveillance Station via NAS’s.
Thanks all who posted.

JanJ

2 weeks later, my observations:
I can test BY PORT, the good vs bad packets, sent & received, cable connection, and POE status.
Every one of the cameras and other devices connected is good, not exceeding POE Power draw, the total POE connections that exceeds the amount of devices connected to the prior POE switch is WAY UNDER the total POE POWER available…..

AND….. The speed of these cameras displaying through the applications I use, IS MUCH FASTER than the prior GOALAKE switch.

Where before I had to limit connections to prevent camera setting to change on power up, now I’m exceeding the connections by 8-9 over prior switch use, using more cameras and same cables as before. And all cameras are solid in operation and connect to other APPS visibly Faster!

Couldn’t be happier!

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