Ubiquiti UniFi Switch Standard 16 PoE

The Ubiquiti UniFi Switch 16 PoE (USW-16-POE) is a compact, enterprise-grade Layer 2 managed switch designed for small and medium business networks that require reliable connectivity with integrated PoE support. Built in a 1U rack-mount form factor, the switch features a durable SGCC steel enclosure and mounting hardware, ensuring long-term stability in professional installations. With dimensions of 442 × 200 × 44 mm, it fits comfortably into standard server racks and wall-mounted cabinets with supported depths from 400 to 1200 mm, while occupying minimal space. The switch provides 16 Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports, delivering high-speed wired connectivity for workstations, printers, access points, and network appliances. Eight of these ports support PoE+, allowing the switch to directly power compatible devices such as Wi-Fi access points, IP cameras, and VoIP phones without the need for separate power adapters.

Each powered port can deliver up to 15.4 W with PoE or 32 W with PoE+, while the total PoE power budget of 42 W ensures efficient and balanced power distribution across connected devices. For uplink and aggregation connectivity, the USW-16-POE includes two 1G SFP ports, enabling flexible fiber connections to core switches, servers, or network backbones. This combination of copper and fiber interfaces makes the switch suitable for scalable network designs in offices, retail spaces, classrooms, and hospitality environments. Performance is optimized for everyday enterprise workloads, with a switching capacity of 36 Gbps, total non-blocking throughput of 18 Gbps, and a forwarding rate of 27 million packets per second. Support for up to 1,000 VLANs and a MAC address table size of 8,000 entries allows effective traffic segmentation and stable operation in networks with multiple departments or device types.

The UniFi Switch 16 PoE delivers a comprehensive set of advanced Layer 2 features, providing administrators with precise control over traffic flow, security, and network stability. LACP port aggregation enables multiple physical links to be combined into a single logical connection, increasing bandwidth and ensuring redundancy for critical links. STP and RSTP protocols protect the network from switching loops and enable fast topology recovery. For environments that rely on video and multi-receiver data streams, the switch includes advanced IGMP functionality, such as IGMP Snooping, Querier, Fast Leave, and Router Port support. These mechanisms ensure that multicast traffic is delivered only to devices that request it, improving efficiency in IPTV, video surveillance, and AV-over-IP deployments.

Network security is reinforced through 802.1X port-based authentication, MAC-based ACLs, MAC address blocking, and MAC-based port restrictions, helping prevent unauthorized device access. Additional protection is provided by DHCP Snooping and Guarding, IP-based ACLs, and network isolation, reducing the risk of common Layer 2 attacks. Traffic management tools include Voice VLAN, LLDP-MED, egress rate limiting, flow control, and storm control, along with mechanisms for limiting broadcast and multicast traffic. The switch also supports jumbo frames, port isolation, port mirroring for diagnostics, loop protection, and virtual network override, giving administrators flexible options to fine-tune network behavior and ensure consistent performance across connected devices.

The UniFi Switch 16 PoE is engineered for quiet, reliable operation in professional environments where noise levels and energy efficiency matter. Its fanless cooling design ensures completely silent operation, making the switch ideal for offices, classrooms, meeting rooms, and retail spaces. The internal AC/DC power supply rated at 60 W operates from a universal 100–240 V AC input at 50/60 Hz, providing compatibility with global electrical standards. The switch consumes up to 18 W excluding PoE output, while maximum power consumption reaches 60 W when PoE is fully utilized, allowing predictable energy planning. Heat dissipation of 61.4 BTU/hr supports stable operation without the need for active cooling. Integrated ESD protection rated at ±16 kV (air discharge) and ±12 kV (contact discharge) safeguards the hardware against electrostatic damage.

Management is handled through the UniFi Network application, requiring UniFi Network version 7.2.94 or later. Administrators can configure and monitor the switch centrally over Ethernet or AR, gaining visibility into port status, PoE usage, and network performance. A built-in 1.3-inch touchscreen LCM display on the front panel provides real-time device information, simplifying installation and troubleshooting. The USW-16-POE is fully NDAA compliant and certified for international deployment, including CE, FCC, IC, and Anatel certifications. Combined with its steel construction, silent operation, and centralized management capabilities, the UniFi Switch 16 PoE is a dependable and professional solution for building secure, scalable PoE-enabled networks.