UniFi Switch Pro 24 PoE

UniFi Switch Pro 24 PoE: The Backbone of Professional Security Systems

The Ubiquiti UniFi Switch Pro 24 PoE (USW-Pro-24-PoE) is a managed PoE switch that we deploy as the network backbone for security camera and access control installations. With 24 Gigabit PoE+ ports delivering up to 400W of total PoE budget, this switch can power and connect a full floor or building wing of IP cameras, access control panels, video intercoms, and access points from a single 1U rack-mounted device.

PoE Budget for Real Security Deployments

A security camera system with 16 to 20 IP cameras, each drawing 12 to 15 watts, requires 200 to 300 watts of PoE power from the switch. The USW-Pro-24-PoE’s 400W budget provides comfortable headroom for a full complement of cameras plus additional devices such as access control panels, door stations, and wireless access points. This headroom matters because overloading a switch’s PoE budget causes random devices to lose power, leading to coverage gaps and recording failures that are difficult to diagnose.

VLAN Segmentation for Security Traffic

Properly designed security systems run on isolated VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) that separate camera traffic, access control communications, and building internet into distinct network segments. The USW-Pro-24-PoE supports full VLAN configuration, allowing each port to be assigned to the appropriate network segment. This isolation prevents a spike in office internet traffic from affecting camera streams, and keeps security footage inaccessible to devices on the general building network.

QoS (Quality of Service) settings prioritize real-time camera streams and access control data over less time-sensitive traffic, ensuring door unlocks respond instantly and video feeds remain smooth even during periods of heavy network use.

Centralized Management

The UniFi Controller platform provides a single management interface for the switch alongside any UniFi access points, gateways, and other network devices on the same site. Port status, PoE consumption per port, VLAN assignments, and traffic statistics are all visible from one dashboard. For buildings with multiple IDF closets or networked sites, this centralized view simplifies ongoing management and troubleshooting.

The two 10G SFP+ uplink ports support fiber connections between floors or buildings, providing the high-speed backbone needed when aggregating traffic from dozens of cameras.

Contact Vidimost LLC at (872) 254-5015 to discuss network infrastructure for your security system.