In modern enterprise and business networks, performance, flexibility, and stability are non-negotiable. Whether you are managing a corporate office, a villa network, or a multi-floor business building, your backbone switch defines your network’s capability. The Ubiquiti USW-Enterprise-48-PoE Switch brings exactly that level of reliability and power. Designed for next-generation enterprise environments, this Ubiquiti switch combines 2.5 GbE multi-gig ports, PoE+ support, and Layer 3 management capabilities—all within the seamless UniFi ecosystem.
This switch doesn’t just move data—it manages it intelligently. Built with Ubiquiti’s advanced hardware design, the USW-Enterprise-48-PoE delivers superior throughput, modern PoE performance, and fanless or ultra-quiet operation. It’s an ideal core switch for environments that demand both speed and simplicity through the UniFi Network Controller.
Full Overview of the Ubiquiti USW-Enterprise-48-PoE Switch
The Ubiquiti USW-Enterprise-48-PoE Switch (USW-Enterprise-48-PoE) stands as a flagship Layer 3 managed switch within the UniFi Enterprise series. It’s crafted for professional deployments that require scalability, multi-gigabit bandwidth, and intelligent traffic management.
This model features 48 Ethernet ports, divided into 32 Gigabit RJ45 ports and 16 multi-gig 2.5 GbE RJ45 ports, all of which support 802.3af/at PoE+ for powering devices such as UniFi access points, IP cameras, VoIP phones, and security gateways. On top of that, it offers four 10G SFP+ uplink ports, ensuring high-speed fiber connectivity to servers or distribution layers.
One of its key strengths is its Layer 3 functionality, giving administrators the ability to manage inter-VLAN routing directly from the switch. This makes it much more than a simple Layer 2 device—it can serve as a routing core for complex networks. Combined with UniFi’s centralized management platform, users can monitor traffic, manage VLANs, configure PoE budgets, and automate updates effortlessly.
Performance and Design
The USW-Enterprise-48-PoE uses a high-performance switching architecture that delivers non-blocking throughput. It supports up to 88 Gbps switching capacity with forwarding rates of up to 65 million packets per second (Mpps). This ensures no bottlenecks even in heavily loaded networks.
Physically, the switch follows Ubiquiti’s clean, industrial design language—sleek matte metal housing, informative front-panel display, and neatly arranged port layout. The 1.3-inch touchscreen LCM display provides at-a-glance system information, including IP address, uptime, PoE power usage, and device statistics. The LED indicators are subtle yet clear, showing link activity, PoE status, and speed.
The unit is rack-mountable (1U design) and comes with mounting brackets, making it easy to install in network cabinets or server racks. Despite its high performance, it operates quietly thanks to intelligent cooling fans that only activate under high thermal loads.
Applications of the Ubiquiti USW-Enterprise-48-PoE Switch
The Ubiquiti USW-Enterprise-48-PoE Switch is purpose-built for enterprise and large-scale network environments. It’s suitable for a wide range of professional applications:
- Corporate office networks requiring high-speed backbone connectivity
- Educational campuses with dozens of access points and IP phones
- Multi-floor villas and commercial buildings using PoE cameras and APs
- Managed IT service providers looking for scalable, cloud-managed switches
- Hotel and hospitality networks combining wired and wireless coverage
Thanks to its 2.5 GbE ports, this switch can also support Wi-Fi 6/6E access points at full speed, which is a major upgrade over traditional Gigabit-only switches. It provides enough PoE+ power for high-performance UniFi access points like the U7 Pro, U6 Enterprise, and UniFi Protect cameras—all through one unified interface.
Port Configuration and Connectivity
Port versatility is one of the biggest strengths of the Ubiquiti USW-Enterprise-48-PoE Switch. It includes:
- 32 × 1 GbE RJ45 PoE+ ports (802.3af/at)
- 16 × 2.5 GbE RJ45 PoE+ ports (802.3af/at)
- 4 × 10G SFP+ uplink ports
Each RJ45 port can automatically detect PoE requirements, providing up to 30 W per port, and a total PoE budget of up to 600 W. This enables powering multiple UniFi devices without external injectors. The SFP+ uplinks ensure seamless connection to high-speed distribution switches or network storage systems.
This port mix makes it ideal for hybrid environments where both high-bandwidth and standard PoE devices coexist.
Optimizing VLAN Management with the Ubiquiti USW-Enterprise-48-PoE Switch
One of the most practical features of this switch is its advanced VLAN management. Through the UniFi Network Controller, administrators can create, tag, and isolate traffic easily. Whether you need to separate office users from guest Wi-Fi, or create a management VLAN for IP cameras, the Ubiquiti USW-Enterprise-48-PoE Switch handles it elegantly.
Layer 3 routing allows inter-VLAN communication without needing an external router. For example, VLAN 10 (Office) and VLAN 20 (Servers) can communicate internally at wire speed. Network segmentation not only enhances performance but also strengthens security across departments.
Power Efficiency and Network Monitoring
Energy efficiency is another strong point. The Ubiquiti USW-Enterprise-48-PoE Switch intelligently allocates PoE power based on device needs, helping to reduce energy waste. Administrators can monitor real-time PoE consumption from the UniFi Controller or even directly from the front LCD.
The UniFi Controller provides comprehensive analytics, including per-port usage graphs, throughput history, and PoE activity. This allows IT teams to identify overloaded ports, troubleshoot connection issues, or plan power distribution effectively.
Comparison with Similar Ubiquiti Models
Here’s how the Ubiquiti USW-Enterprise-48-PoE Switch compares with other popular UniFi models:
| Model | Ports | PoE Type | Max PoE Budget | Layer | Uplinks | Max Speed | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USW-Enterprise-48-PoE | 48 (32×1 GbE + 16×2.5 GbE) | PoE+ (802.3af/at) | 600 W | Layer 3 | 4× SFP+ 10 G | 2.5 GbE / 10 G | Enterprise core and high-density PoE deployments |
| USW-Pro-48-PoE | 48× 1 GbE | PoE+ (802.3af/at) | 600 W | Layer 2 + L3 static | 4× SFP+ 10 G | 1 G / 10 G | Large business or campus networks |
| USW-Pro-24-PoE | 24× 1 GbE | PoE+ (802.3af/at) | 400 W | Layer 2 + L3 static | 2× SFP+ 10 G | 1 G / 10 G | Small-to-medium business networks |
| USW-Enterprise-24-PoE | 24 (16×1 GbE + 8×2.5 GbE) | PoE+ (802.3af/at) | 400 W | Layer 3 | 2× SFP+ 10 G | 2.5 GbE / 10 G | Medium enterprises and branch offices |
The USW-Enterprise-48-PoE clearly stands out for its mix of 2.5 GbE ports and higher PoE capacity, making it future-ready for modern multi-gig infrastructures.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model Number (Part No.) | USW-Enterprise-48-PoE |
| Total Ethernet Ports | 48 (32× 1 GbE + 16× 2.5 GbE) |
| Uplink Ports | 4× 10 G SFP+ |
| PoE Standards | 802.3af/at (PoE+) |
| Total PoE Budget | 600 W |
| Switching Capacity | 88 Gbps |
| Forwarding Rate | 65 Mpps |
| Layer Support | Layer 3 Managed |
| VLAN Support | 802.1Q with Inter-VLAN Routing |
| Power Input | 100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz |
| Display | 1.3-inch LCM Touchscreen |
| Mounting | Rack-mount (1U) |
| Cooling | Intelligent Fan Cooling |
| Management | UniFi Network Controller / UniFi Cloud |
| Operating Temperature | −5 °C to 40 °C |
| Dimensions | 442.4 × 285.4 × 43.7 mm |
| Weight | 5.8 kg |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What makes the Ubiquiti USW-Enterprise-48-PoE Switch different from the Pro models?
It features 2.5 GbE ports and full Layer 3 functionality, offering higher bandwidth and smarter routing capabilities.
2. Can this switch power Wi-Fi 6/6E access points?
Yes, its 2.5 GbE PoE+ ports can fully support UniFi Wi-Fi 6 and 6E APs such as the U6 Enterprise and U7 Pro.
3. Is it compatible with existing UniFi controllers?
Yes, it works with UniFi Network Controller version 6.5 and above.
4. What is the total PoE power budget?
The switch provides a total of 600 W PoE+ across all RJ45 ports.
5. Does it support stacking?
It does not offer hardware stacking but can be managed together with other UniFi devices via the Controller.
6. Is Layer 3 routing hardware-based or software-based?
It performs Layer 3 routing in hardware, ensuring maximum speed and efficiency.
7. How noisy is it during operation?
It features intelligent fan control that keeps noise minimal, suitable even for office environments.
8. Can I monitor power usage per port?
Yes, both the UniFi Controller and the front LCD display show real-time PoE statistics.
9. What’s the maximum throughput of the switch?
It supports a total switching capacity of 88 Gbps.
10. Is it suitable for home or only enterprise use?
It’s primarily designed for enterprise environments but can be used in advanced home or villa networks requiring many PoE ports.
Summary and Final Thoughts
The Ubiquiti USW-Enterprise-48-PoE Switch is a future-ready, high-performance solution for modern network infrastructures. With its combination of 2.5 GbE PoE+ ports, Layer 3 routing, 10G SFP+ uplinks, and centralized UniFi management, it fits perfectly into any growing business environment.
For organizations that need a robust backbone switch capable of handling dozens of access points, cameras, and VoIP devices simultaneously, this model stands as one of the best investments in Ubiquiti’s portfolio. Its seamless integration with UniFi Network Controller makes monitoring, configuring, and scaling networks both easy and efficient.
If you are looking to buy the Ubiquiti USW-Enterprise-48-PoE Switch in the UAE, ITMan provides original, genuine stock with warranty and fast delivery.
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