Ubiquiti EdgeSwitch 24 250W (ES-24-250W) 

The Ubiquiti EdgeSwitch 24 250W (ES-24-250W) is a fully managed, Layer 2 Gigabit switch designed for network professionals who need robust performance, high-power PoE, and advanced features without a centralized controller. Part of Ubiquiti’s EdgeMAX line, it offers a powerful, standalone alternative to the UniFi ecosystem, providing deep configurability via a familiar CLI and an intuitive web GUI. This switch is a proven workhorse, ideal for business networks, surveillance systems, and ISPs that require reliable, hands-on control over their switching environment.

Full Technical Specifications: EdgeSwitch 24 250W

Key Features and Benefits

1. Robust Power over Ethernet (PoE)

With a substantial 250W total PoE budget spread across all 24 ports, this switch can power a large array of devices simultaneously.

• Auto-Sensing 802.3af/at: Each port automatically detects and delivers the correct power level (up to 30W per port) to compatible devices.

• Versatile Device Support: Perfect for powering:

  • IP Cameras: An entire surveillance system.

  • VoIP Phones: A full office deployment.

  • Wireless Access Points: Including most Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 models.

  • Other PoE Devices: Access points, sensors, and more.

2. Advanced, Standalone Management

The EdgeSwitch shines with its flexible management options, giving administrators full control.

• Command Line Interface (CLI): Offers a Cisco-like syntax that will be familiar to network engineers, allowing for powerful scripting and granular configuration.

• Intuitive Web GUI: Provides a user-friendly interface for those who prefer point-and-click configuration, making advanced features accessible.

• UNMS Integration: Can be optionally adopted into Ubiquiti’s Network Management System (UNMS) for limited centralized monitoring and management alongside other EdgeMAX devices.

3. Comprehensive Layer 2 Feature Set

This is a fully-featured managed switch, not a simple “smart” switch. It includes enterprise-level capabilities:

• VLANs: Support for 802.1Q VLANs for network segmentation, including Voice VLAN for prioritizing VoIP traffic.

• Link Aggregation (LAG): Combine multiple ports to create a high-bandwidth, redundant trunk to a server or another switch.

• Quality of Service (QoS): Prioritize critical traffic (like voice or video) to ensure smooth performance.

• Access Control Lists (ACLs): Implement security policies to filter traffic based on IP addresses, protocols, and ports.

• Spanning Tree Protocol (STP): Prevent network loops and ensure redundancy.

4. Reliability and Silent Operation

• Rack-Mount Design: Built for integration into standard 19-inch server racks and network cabinets.

• Fanless Design: Operates silently, making it suitable for offices, classrooms, and retail environments where noise is a concern.

• Proven Hardware: Uses Ubiquiti’s reliable enterprise-grade components for consistent performance.

Who Is The EdgeSwitch 24 250W For?

The EdgeSwitch is designed for environments where standalone, hands-on control is preferred over a centralized controller.

Ideal Use Cases:

• IT Professionals & Network Engineers: Who are comfortable with CLI and need granular control over their network.

• Small to Medium Businesses (SMBs): Needing a powerful, reliable core switch for an office that doesn’t require the UniFi ecosystem.

• Dedicated Surveillance Systems: As the backbone for a large IP camera installation, where its robust PoE budget is a perfect fit.

• Internet Service Providers (ISPs): For customer premises equipment (CPE) or network infrastructure.

• Educational Institutions & Government Offices: Where specific configuration and security policies are required.

EdgeSwitch vs. UniFi: Key Differences

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can this switch be managed by the UniFi Controller?
A: No. The EdgeSwitch series is part of a different product line (EdgeMAX) and is managed standalone or via UNMS. It is not compatible with the UniFi Controller.

Q: What is the difference between the 250W and 500W model?
A: The primary difference is the total PoE budget. The ES-24-500W has a 500W power supply, allowing you to maximize the 30W output on more ports simultaneously. The hardware and features are otherwise identical.

Q: Does it support PoE++ (802.3bt)?
A: No. The ES-24-250W only supports the 802.3af (PoE) and 802.3at (PoE+) standards, with a maximum of 30W per port. It cannot power high-wattage devices like UniFi Access Hubs or LED lights that require PoE++.

Q: Is it difficult to configure for someone used to UniFi?
A: There is a learning curve. While the web GUI is robust, it requires configuring each feature individually on the switch itself, unlike the unified, system-wide view of the UniFi Controller. The CLI is for advanced users.

Q: Are the SFP ports compatible with SFP+ modules?
A: No. The two SFP ports are standard 1 Gigabit SFP ports. They are not 10 Gigabit SFP+ ports. You can use 1G SFP modules for fiber uplinks.

Conclusion

The Ubiquiti EdgeSwitch 24 250W (ES-24-250W) remains a highly relevant and powerful tool in a network professional’s arsenal. It delivers robust PoE power, advanced Layer 2 features, and the granular control that IT experts demand. While it lacks the sleek central management of the UniFi platform, it makes up for it with raw configurability and proven reliability. If you need a high-performance, standalone switch for a business, surveillance, or ISP application and prefer a hands-on approach, the EdgeSwitch 24-250W is an outstanding and trustworthy choice.