POE switch is a device, which is used to connect a power supply to several IP video cameras simultaneously and organised data transfer through a network. To create such a connection, a common twisted pair cable is used. POE switch recognizes supported devices automatically and provides their protection from short circuits and overloading.
In the table below, entry-level POE switches for Ethernet networks are examined. From the point of view of consumer segmentation, these switches belong to the class SOHO (Small Office/Home Office), which explains their inexpensive price.
Technical Specifications | NP-SM4 | Mikrotik RB260GSP |
---|---|---|
Approximate Price | 34.94 USD | 56.20 USD |
Official Website of the Manufacturer | http://www.netpingdevice.com/ | http://routerboard.com/ |
Type | Uncontrolled | Controlled |
Fan | Yes | Yes |
Level of Packages Analysis | Level 2 | Level 2 |
CPU | Marvell 88E6070 | Taifatech TF470 |
Memory | Buffer Size 512K MAC Table Size 1K Maximum Frame Size 2048b | Built-in 96K SRAM |
10/100 Ethernet Ports | 4 | – |
10/100/1000 Ethernet Ports | – | 5 |
Socket for SFP Module | – | 1 |
SFP DDMI | – | Yes |
POE Standard | IEEE 802.3.at, 1 port POE + 3 ports POE injectors (30 Watts for each port) | Does not support POE standard. |
POE in | Yes | Yes, own standard |
POE out | Yes | Yes, own standard |
LED Indicators | 1 LED, power, activity | LED for each port, activity, NAND activity |
Supports Input Voltage | 11 – 56 V DC | 8 – 30 V DC |
Own Power Consumption | 2.5 Watts | 6 Watts |
Power Socket | 1 | 1 |
Operating System | – | MikroTik SwOS |
Operating Temperature Range | 0℃ – +45℃ | -25℃ – +65℃ |
Dimensions | 78x60x30 mm | 113x139x28 mm |
Power Plug Type | DJK-02 2.1 mm | DJK-02 2.1 mm |
Weight | 73 g | 212 g |
Shipping Kit | Switch, jumpers for POE commutation, ZIP-package. Power adapter 48 V 1.5 A is purchased separately if necessary. | Switch, power adapter 24 V 2.5 A |
From the comparison table of POE switches, it is possible to make a conclusion about strong and weak sides of represented models.
The NP-SM4 switch has got an attractive price and small dimensions, which allow to mask it as an ordinary computer socket and install in any place, without spoiling an esthetic appearance of an interior. NP-SM4 has got a peculiarity of POE powering (IEEE 802.3.at or IEEE 802.3.af) with a possibility to transmit POE power even further. This allows to connect NP-SM4 switches into a chain, using Ethernet cable only, as well as connect to the Ethernet a required amount of workplaces, VoIP phones, and video cameras with minimal expenses on a cable infrastructure. Disadvantages of NP-SM4 are a small amount and transfer rate of ports 4 x 10/100 BASE-TX, no lights (LED) for each port and external adapter in a shipping kit. Also, there is a need to pay attention to an uncontrollability of this POE switch.
The Mikrotik RB260GSP switch has got a larger amount of 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports compared to NP-SM4 and an SFP socket to connect an SFP module (SFP module is not included into a shipping kit). Mikrotik RB260GSP is equipped with CPU Taifatech TF470 and a built-in 96K SRAM, which influence a performance positively. It works on an operating system Switch SwOS that has been developed especially for MikroTik products. This enables a functionality of controlled switch, having a bonus of using MAC filters, controlling VLAN, using bandwidth limiting and even adjust some MAC and IP header fields. One of the main shortcomings of Mikrotik RB260GSP is not supporting POE standard. A switch supports the own standard of 24 V power transfer via Ethernet cable, which influences a compatibility of work of POE consumers. I.e. not all POE consumers will be able to work with Mikrotik RB260GSP. Own power consumption of Mikrotik RB260GSP is two times more than a power consumption of NP-SM4. The price of Mikrotik RB260GSP is 1,5 times more than the one of NP-SM4.