EdgeSwitch ES-48-500W Ubiquiti
Ubiquiti EdgeSwitch ES-48-500W stands out in enterprise networking environments where high port density meets sophisticated power management requirements. This managed switch combines 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports with substantial Power over Ethernet capabilities, addressing complex infrastructure needs in modern business settings.
Network engineers frequently select the EdgeSwitch ES-48-500W when deploying IP phones, wireless access points, security cameras, and other powered devices across large installations. The 500-watt PoE+ budget eliminates the need for individual power adapters, significantly reducing installation complexity and ongoing maintenance requirements.
Advanced Management and Layer 2/3 Capabilities
The EdgeSwitch ES-48-500W operates as a fully managed Layer 2+ switch with selective Layer 3 routing functions. This hybrid approach provides network administrators with advanced traffic control while maintaining cost efficiency compared to full Layer 3 solutions.
Management features include:
- VLAN Support: 802.1Q VLAN tagging with up to 4,094 VLANs
- Spanning Tree Protocol: RSTP and MSTP for redundancy and loop prevention
- Link Aggregation: IEEE 802.3ad LACP for increased bandwidth and failover
- Quality of Service: 8 hardware queues with advanced scheduling algorithms
- Access Control: 802.1X authentication and MAC-based security
- SNMP Management: v1, v2c, and v3 with comprehensive MIB support
Power over Ethernet Implementation
The 500W PoE+ budget of the EdgeSwitch ES-48-500W supports up to 24 ports at 30W each or 48 ports at approximately 10W each, depending on connected device requirements. Intelligent power allocation prevents overloading while maximizing device connectivity potential.
PoE+ compatibility ensures support for demanding devices such as PTZ security cameras, high-powered wireless access points, and VoIP phones with color displays. The switch automatically detects device power requirements and allocates appropriate wattage without manual intervention.
Port Configuration and Connectivity Options
Physical connectivity includes 48 x 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ45 ports with PoE+ capability on all ports. Additionally, two SFP ports provide fiber uplink options for connecting to backbone infrastructure or extending network reach beyond copper cable limitations.
The EdgeSwitch ES-48-500W supports various SFP modules, including single-mode and multimode fiber transceivers, enabling flexible deployment scenarios across diverse facility types and distances.
Performance Characteristics and Traffic Handling
Switching capacity reaches 104 Gbps with a forwarding rate of 77.38 Mpps, ensuring wire-speed performance across all ports simultaneously. The non-blocking architecture prevents bottlenecks during high-traffic periods, maintaining consistent performance for latency-sensitive applications.
Buffer memory allocation of 12 MB provides adequate packet storage during traffic bursts, reducing packet loss potential in congested network conditions. This buffer capacity particularly benefits environments with mixed traffic types, including voice, video, and data communications.
Integration with Ubiquiti Ecosystem
While the EdgeSwitch ES-48-500W operates independently, it integrates seamlessly with other Ubiquiti networking products through standardized protocols and compatible management interfaces. Network administrators can monitor and configure the device through web-based interfaces or command-line access.
SNMP compatibility enables integration with third-party network management systems, providing flexibility for organizations with established monitoring infrastructure. Real-time statistics and historical data collection support proactive network maintenance and capacity planning.
Installation and Environmental Considerations
The 1U rackmount design of the EdgeSwitch ES-48-500W fits standard 19-inch equipment racks, consuming minimal vertical space while providing maximum port density. Front-to-back airflow design accommodates various rack cooling configurations without creating thermal hot spots.
Operating specifications include:
- Power Consumption: 580W maximum (switch + full PoE load)
- Operating Temperature: 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)
- Storage Temperature: -40°C to 70°C (-40°F to 158°F)
- Operating Humidity: 10% to 90% non-condensing
- Acoustic Noise: Less than 50 dB at 1 meter
Security Features and Access Control
Network security implementation includes comprehensive access control mechanisms designed for enterprise environments. The EdgeSwitch ES-48-500W supports port-based authentication, MAC address filtering, and storm control to prevent various network attacks and unauthorized access attempts.
Advanced security features encompass:
- Access Control Lists: Layer 2, 3, and 4 filtering capabilities
- Port Security: MAC address limiting and violation handling
- DHCP Snooping: Protection against rogue DHCP servers
- Dynamic ARP Inspection: Validation of ARP packets
- IP Source Guard: Prevention of IP address spoofing
Monitoring and Diagnostics
Built-in diagnostic capabilities assist network administrators in troubleshooting connectivity issues and optimizing performance. Port mirroring functionality enables traffic analysis without disrupting normal operations, while comprehensive logging captures security events and performance metrics.
The EdgeSwitch ES-48-500W provides detailed statistics for each port, including utilization patterns, error counts, and PoE power consumption data. This information proves valuable for capacity planning and identifying potential network bottlenecks before they impact user experience.
Practical Applications in Enterprise Networks
Large-scale deployments often utilize the EdgeSwitch ES-48-500W in scenarios requiring high port density with integrated power delivery. Educational institutions deploy these switches in classrooms and laboratories where numerous powered devices require network connectivity without individual power sources.
Corporate environments benefit from the switch’s capabilities when implementing IP telephony systems, wireless infrastructure, and security camera networks. The combination of data connectivity and power delivery through single cable runs reduces installation costs and simplifies ongoing maintenance procedures.
