Need assistance with a POE switch for live production—what options should I consider?
Need assistance with a POE switch for live production—what options should I consider?
I enjoy Ubiquiti switches because they are easy to manage, yet you can treat any managed switch as an unmanaged one. The 120 gigabit speed capacity refers to how fast data can travel through the switch. An 8-port gigabit switch would naturally handle up to 8 gigabits per second just due to its port count.
For example here is a spreadsheet of some neatgear switchers that has the switching capacity. I mention unmanaged as i work at client corporate locations where it happened that we plugged a managed switch and the IT Team told us that automatically would be blocked by the company firewall. a unmanaged switch will work just fine as it gets the ip from the main router/server.
I've never come across the idea of a managed switch being automatically blocked. Managed switches typically receive their IP addresses from the router unless you configure layer 3 management, which isn't enabled by default. Generally, they act just like unmanaged ones until you start adjusting settings. The main reason I can think of is that the router was configured to block unauthorized Mac addresses or there might be a problem with VLANs. If you're looking for a standard gigabit PoE unmanaged switch, consider brands like Netgear or TP-Link. Higher-end options such as Ubiquiti, Dell, MikroTik are usually managed systems.
Looking for a solid, real-world unmanaged switch with built-in power (minimal cabling) that supports POE+ and can handle 3-4 PTZ cameras at 30W each. It should fit a £300–£400 budget and work with a small portable rack system. For redundancy, you’d typically set up dual switches or use a hot-swappable configuration so if one fails, the other can take over.
People have noted that Netgear and TP-Link unmanaged PoE switches perform exceptionally well. With four 30-watt units, you can power PTZ cameras for 120 watts total. Ensure the switch supports at least 120 watts of PoE. The internal power source might be more complex or require a larger device. Most 8-port switches come with a standard wall wart power supply. For backup, purchase two switches together or use separate injectors for each camera. If the networking component fails, you'll still need another switch to keep the network running. Standalone injectors only supply power; they won't affect camera operation. I've observed many small switches operating continuously for years without issues—just avoid spills or electrical surges. My main concern is camera reliability rather than the switch itself.
Beyond 802.1x or standard port security, it seems they mean BPDU-guard, unrelated to the firewall. Most managed switches come with STP enabled by default, so applying BPDU-guard is recommended for all access switches. If an interface had STP active, it would block traffic to prevent loops. The main concerns are: what makes a 120Gbps switch necessary? And why isn’t IT managing this? They should oversee the network and ensure proper installation and oversight of critical devices. Using unapproved equipment without review or visibility is not safe.
Hi Guys, just a quick recap. I’m a Live Events Producer. Our work involves running conferences at client sites where we typically set up several gaming laptops with vMix and POE PTZ cameras (BirdDog) using NDI-HX for AV over IP. We connect our switch to the building’s Ethernet port and get internet from different locations. After some research, I bought this 8x1G PoE+ 125W 2x1G and 2xSFP managed switch which seems ideal for my setup. In theory, I should be able to plug an Ethernet cable from any client wall socket into the switch and access their internet without issues. This is because previously, connecting a managed switch directly caused connectivity problems. Now it works perfectly.
Technically, yes. It's essential to maintain communication with the facility's IT or networking staff before connecting any devices. Following standard guidelines helps prevent disruptions. Ensure access controls are strengthened so users can't simply insert equipment without proper authorization. Even during scheduled events, never connect devices without their IT team's approval. They should always be notified when a BYOD is connected. Security measures like 802.1x and BPDU-guard are in place to protect networks, making unmanaged setups less effective. Understanding the configuration of managed switches is crucial—unmanaged ones often lack features needed for secure connections. Choose a switch that suits your needs, verify all devices are compatible, and clearly communicate what will be connected. Ignoring these steps may lead to IT intervention, equipment restrictions, or even cancellation of your event. The consequences can be severe, affecting future opportunities to host gatherings.