The Ubiquiti ECS-24-PoE is a reliable, enterprise-grade switch designed to bring high-performance switching, PoE+ power delivery, and flexible uplinks into SMB and enterprise networks. Ubiquiti has long been recognized for creating robust networking solutions that balance performance, affordability, and ease of management. The ECS-24-PoE is no exception—it delivers 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports with PoE+ support, two dedicated SFP uplink ports, and a full layer 2 feature set, making it a great fit for office deployments, hospitality environments, retail networks, and even advanced home labs.
This switch is part of the Ubiquiti EdgeSwitch series, which focuses on performance, security, and management control without the complexity of full enterprise switching platforms. Its fanless design ensures silent operation in small rooms or office spaces, and its 250W PoE+ budget is enough to power multiple access points, IP cameras, VoIP phones, and other PoE-powered devices. The Ubiquiti ECS-24-PoE is a perfect choice for IT managers and system integrators looking for a reliable distribution switch.
Comprehensive Overview of Ubiquiti ECS-24-PoE EdgeSwitch
At its core, the ECS-24-PoE is a managed switch that supports VLANs, port isolation, link aggregation, QoS, and full network monitoring capabilities via SNMP and the Ubiquiti EdgeSwitch software interface. It features a non-blocking throughput of 26 Gbps and a switching capacity of 52 Gbps, ensuring that no packet gets dropped even under heavy network loads.
Power delivery is where this switch truly shines—supporting IEEE 802.3af/at PoE+, it can supply up to 30W per port. This allows you to power high-draw devices such as PTZ security cameras or Wi-Fi 6 access points directly from the switch, eliminating the need for additional power injectors. The ECS-24-PoE is also rack-mountable (1U), making it easy to integrate into existing network cabinets.
Its two SFP uplink ports provide flexible connectivity options. Whether you need to connect this switch to a core switch over fiber for long-distance links or to a high-speed aggregation switch, the ECS-24-PoE handles it with ease. The intuitive Ubiquiti management interface gives administrators complete visibility into traffic flow, PoE usage, and port statistics.
Use Cases and Applications
The Ubiquiti ECS-24-PoE is designed for scenarios where both data and power need to be delivered reliably across a medium-sized network. Common applications include:
- Business Offices: Powering VoIP phones, Wi-Fi APs, and security cameras while providing high-speed wired connectivity to PCs and printers.
- Retail Environments: Running PoS systems, wireless networks for staff and customers, and surveillance systems.
- Education and Hospitality: Delivering PoE to classrooms, lecture halls, hotel rooms, or lobbies, where many powered devices need stable connectivity.
- Surveillance Networks: Ideal for powering multiple IP cameras with PoE+, with easy monitoring of power usage.
Because it is fully manageable, network administrators can configure VLANs to segment traffic, prioritize VoIP with QoS, and monitor bandwidth consumption per port, ensuring smooth network operations.
Ports and Connectivity
The ECS-24-PoE features 24 Gigabit RJ45 ports supporting auto-sensing 802.3af/at PoE+, allowing up to 250W total power budget. This means you can connect a mix of access points, IP phones, and cameras directly without worrying about power injectors.
Additionally, it comes with 2 SFP uplink ports that support 1 Gbps fiber modules, allowing you to connect to your network core or backbone at longer distances or through high-speed fiber connections. This dual-uplink design provides redundancy or additional bandwidth through link aggregation.
PoE Budget Planning
When using the Ubiquiti ECS-24-PoE in real-world scenarios, always calculate your PoE budget ahead of time. Add up the power draw of each device you plan to connect. For example, if you have 10 UniFi U6-LR access points (≈16W each) and 6 IP cameras (≈12W each), you will consume roughly 220W—close to the switch’s 250W capacity. Leave a margin of at least 10-15% to avoid overload.
VLAN and Security Setup
One of the best practices with the Ubiquiti ECS-24-PoE is to configure VLANs for traffic isolation. Create a dedicated VLAN for surveillance cameras, another for VoIP, and one for guest Wi-Fi. This not only improves security but also allows better QoS prioritization. You can manage this directly through the EdgeSwitch UI or via CLI for more granular control.
Comparison with Similar Ubiquiti Models
When deciding on the ECS-24-PoE, it’s worth comparing it with other Ubiquiti models to ensure it’s the best fit:
| Model | Ports | PoE Budget | Uplink Ports | Layer | Ideal Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECS-24-PoE | 24x Gigabit PoE+ | 250W | 2x SFP | L2 | SMB, IP cameras, APs |
| EdgeSwitch 24 Lite | 24x Gigabit (No PoE) | – | 2x SFP | L2 | Pure data aggregation |
| USW-Pro-24-PoE | 24x Gigabit PoE+ | 400W | 2x SFP+ (10G) | L3 | Enterprise, heavy PoE |
| USW-Lite-16-PoE | 16x Gigabit PoE+ | 45W | None | L2 | Small offices, homes |
The ECS-24-PoE stands out as the mid-range solution with enough power for most small-to-medium deployments, but at a lower price point than UniFi Pro switches.
Technical Specifications Table
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | Ubiquiti ECS-24-PoE |
| Form Factor | 1U Rack-Mount |
| Switching Capacity | 52 Gbps |
| Forwarding Rate | 38.69 Mpps |
| Ports | 24x Gigabit RJ45 with 802.3af/at PoE+ |
| Total PoE Budget | 250W |
| Uplink Ports | 2x 1G SFP |
| Max Power per Port | 30W |
| Management | Web UI, CLI, SNMP |
| Layer | L2 Managed |
| Power Supply | Internal |
| Cooling | Quiet, fanless design |
| Dimensions | 443 x 221 x 43 mm |
| Weight | 4.7 kg |
| Operating Temperature | -5°C to 40°C |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is the Ubiquiti ECS-24-PoE fanless?
Yes, it operates silently, making it perfect for office environments.
Q2: Does it support PoE+ on all 24 ports simultaneously?
Yes, as long as you stay within the 250W total PoE budget.
Q3: Can I stack multiple ECS-24-PoE switches?
This switch does not support physical stacking but can be managed centrally.
Q4: Are the SFP ports hot-swappable?
Yes, you can insert or remove SFP modules while the switch is powered.
Q5: Can it be managed via UniFi Controller?
No, it is part of the EdgeSwitch family, managed via its own web UI or CLI.
Q6: Is it suitable for powering UniFi 6 Access Points?
Yes, PoE+ is fully compatible with UniFi 6 series APs.
Q7: What is the maximum cable length supported?
Standard 100 meters (328 ft) for Cat5e/6 Ethernet.
Q8: Does it support jumbo frames?
Yes, up to 9,000 bytes, ideal for storage networks.
Q9: How do I update the firmware?
Firmware updates can be done through the web UI.
Q10: Can I use mixed copper and fiber uplinks?
Yes, the SFP ports are independent of the RJ45 ports and can be used in combination.
Conclusion
The Ubiquiti ECS-24-PoE is a versatile and dependable managed switch designed for small to medium-sized businesses, hospitality, education, and surveillance networks. With its 24 PoE+ Gigabit ports, generous power budget, and dual SFP uplinks, it provides everything you need to build a robust and scalable network infrastructure. Its balance of performance, silence, and affordability makes it an excellent choice for IT professionals looking for an all-in-one solution. At ITMan, we recommend the ECS-24-PoE to customers who need a reliable switch that can handle multiple PoE devices without breaking the bank.
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