UniFi Switch PRO 24 PoE (USW-Pro-24-POE) – The Complete Guide

Overview: The Compact Powerhouse for Professional Networks

The UniFi Switch PRO 24 PoE (USW-Pro-24-POE) is a fully managed, Layer 3 switch that delivers enterprise-grade features in a compact 1U form factor. It strikes the perfect balance between high-power PoE capability, advanced management, and critical high-speed uplinks. Designed for small to medium businesses, sophisticated home labs, and network professionals, this switch provides the robust connectivity needed to power and connect a modern ecosystem of devices like Wi-Fi 6 access points, IP cameras, and access control systems with room to grow.

Full Technical Specifications: UniFi Switch PRO 24 PoE

Key Features and Benefits

1. Optimized PoE Power and Flexibility

With a substantial 400W total PoE budget, this switch is built to handle a dense deployment of powered devices. The inclusion of 8 dedicated PoE++ (802.3bt) ports is a game-changer for high-wattage equipment, allowing you to power devices such as:

• UniFi Access Hubs and smart locks

• UniFi LED Lights

• High-performance PTZ cameras with heaters

• Other 802.3bt devices like thin clients and digital signage

The 16 PoE+ ports efficiently handle all standard devices like U6 Professional access points and VoIP phones, making it a complete power solution.

2. High-Speed Uplinks for Performance

The two 10G SFP+ ports prevent bottlenecks and future-proof your network. Use them for:

• High-Bandwidth Uplinks: Connect to a UniFi Dream Machine Pro/SE or another core switch at 10G speeds.

• Aggregated Link: Combine both SFP+ ports for a resilient, 20Gbps connection to your network core.

• NAS/Server Connection: Directly attach a high-speed server or Network Attached Storage (NAS) device.

3. Advanced L3 Management for a Smarter Network

As a Layer 3 switch, the USW-Pro-24-POE does more than just switch traffic. It offloads routing tasks from your security gateway, enhancing overall network performance and efficiency.

• Inter-VLAN Routing: Route traffic between different VLANs (e.g., Guest, IoT, Main) directly at the switch level, reducing load on your main router.

• Static Routing: Implement custom network paths for advanced configurations.

4. Enterprise Reliability in a Compact Design

• Dual, Hot-Swappable Power Supplies: This pro-level feature ensures maximum uptime. In the event of a PSU failure, the secondary unit takes over seamlessly. You can connect each to a separate UPS for ultimate power redundancy.

• Fanless (Silent) Operation: Under low to moderate load, the switch operates silently, making it ideal for offices, server closets, and smart homes.

• Rack-Mount Design: A standard 1U form factor for clean and professional integration into any server rack.

5. Seamless UniFi Ecosystem Integration

Managed through the intuitive UniFi Network Controller, this switch offers a single-pane-of-glass view for your entire network. You can:

• Adopt the switch into your network in seconds.

• Monitor real-time power usage, traffic statistics, and client details.

• Configure all settings—from VLANs to PoE scheduling—with an easy-to-use interface.

• Manage other UniFi devices (APs, cameras, gateways) from the same platform.

Who Is This Switch For?

The UniFi Switch PRO 24 PoE is the ideal choice for environments that need more than a basic switch but don’t require the massive port density of a 48-port model.

Ideal Use Cases:

• Small to Medium Businesses (SMBs): As a core switch for an office with a significant number of PoE devices.

• Branch Offices: Providing powerful, locally managed connectivity for a remote office.

• Advanced Home Labs / Prosumers: For users with extensive smart home setups, servers, and high-speed networking needs.

• Surveillance Systems: Powering and connecting a full suite of high-resolution IP cameras, including power-hungry PTZ models.

• Retail Stores & Cafes: To manage POS systems, access points, cameras, and digital signage from a single, reliable device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the difference between the USW-24-PoE and the USW-Pro-24-PoE?
A: The Pro model features a higher PoE budget (400W vs 95W), includes 8 PoE++ ports, has 10G SFP+ uplinks (instead of 1G SFP), offers Layer 3 routing capabilities, and has dual, hot-swappable power supplies. The Pro is significantly more powerful and feature-rich.

Q: Can I use this switch without a UniFi Controller?
A: For initial setup and full management, a UniFi Network Application (hosted on a Cloud Key, Dream Machine, or your own server) is required. Standalone basic setup is possible via the UniFi Mobile App.

Q: How many Wi-Fi 6 access points can it power?
A: A typical Wi-Fi 6 access point (like the U6-Pro) uses under 15W. With a 400W budget, you could theoretically power over 25 APs, but in practice, you are limited by the 24 ports. It can easily power a full stack of 24 APs with power to spare for other devices.

Q: Does it support Link Aggregation (LAG)?
A: Yes, you can create LAG groups across multiple ports to combine bandwidth and provide redundancy for critical devices like servers or NAS units.

Q: Is the 400W PoE budget enough for all 24 ports?
A: The 400W is a shared pool. While the switch has the physical ports, you cannot max out every PoE++ port at 60W simultaneously (24 x 60W = 1440W). The intelligent controller manages the budget, allocating power on-demand. 400W is ample for a typical mixed-use deployment.

Conclusion

The UniFi Switch PRO 24 PoE (USW-Pro-24-POE) is the definitive compact switch for professionals who refuse to compromise. It packs the power, advanced features, and reliability of much larger switches into an accessible 24-port design. With its high 400W PoE budget, versatile mix of PoE+ and PoE++ ports, 10G SFP+ uplinks, and true Layer 3 capabilities, it provides a future-proof foundation for any growing network. If you need robust performance and professional features without the size of a 48-port unit, this is the switch to choose.