What do UniFi switches do in a business network?
UniFi switches connect and, on PoE models, power your access points, cameras, door readers and phones, all configured from the same UniFi console. Ubiquiti currently sells lines from the 5-port Flex Mini to Enterprise Campus switches with 100G uplinks.
Ubiquiti's switching catalog groups them into Utility, Standard, Pro, Pro Max, Pro XG, Enterprise Campus and Aggregation lines. For most North Carolina offices and plants, the decision comes down to three questions: how much PoE power you need, how fast the ports feeding your APs need to be, and whether you need Layer 3 routing between VLANs on the switch.
Which UniFi switch should I buy for access points and cameras?
For most closets feeding WiFi 7 APs and cameras, the Pro Max 24 PoE is the practical choice: 400W of PoE, eight 2.5 GbE ports and 10G uplinks. The Standard 24 PoE is cheaper but has only 95W of PoE and 1 GbE ports, which bottlenecks newer APs.
| Model | Access ports | PoE budget | Uplinks | Layer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flex Mini | (5) 1 GbE | None out | n/a | Layer 2 |
| Standard 24 PoE | (24) 1 GbE, 16 PoE+ | 95W | (2) 1G SFP | Layer 2 |
| Pro Max 24 PoE | (16) 1 GbE + (8) 2.5 GbE | 400W, 60W/port | (2) 10G SFP+ | Layer 3 |
| Pro XG 48 PoE | (32) 10 GbE + (16) 2.5 GbE | 1,080W, 90W/port | (4) 25G SFP28 | Layer 3 |
| Enterprise Campus 48S PoE | (32) 2.5 GbE + (16) 10 GbE | 2,150W, 90W/port | 25G + 100G | Layer 3, stacking |
| Enterprise Campus Aggregation | (48) 25G SFP28 | None | (6) 100G QSFP28 | Layer 3 |
How do you calculate a PoE budget for a UniFi network?
Add the maximum draw of every powered device and compare it with the switch total. Twelve U7 Pro Max APs at 25W each need 300W, which a Standard 24 PoE (95W) cannot supply but a Pro Max 24 PoE (400W) can, with 100W left for cameras and readers.
Per Ubiquiti tech specs, a U7 Pro draws up to 21W on PoE+, a U7 Pro XGS up to 29W on PoE++, and an E7 Campus 44W on PoE++. Two limits apply at once: the per-port class (PoE+, PoE++ or PoE+++) and the switch total. Running out of either shows up as APs that reboot or cameras that go dark at night when IR turns on.
Speed matters too. The U7 Pro and U7 Pro Max ship with 2.5 GbE uplinks and the U7 Pro XGS with 10 GbE. Plugging them into 1 GbE ports works, but caps them. See UniFi WiFi access points for the AP side.
Key takeaway: Budget PoE at maximum draw with room to grow. The cheapest switch that fits today usually forces a second switch next year.
What should manufacturers plan for in a UniFi switch closet?
Plan for power, heat, distance and separation. Copper Ethernet runs are limited to about 100 meters (328 ft), so large plants usually need several closets linked by fiber, and each closet needs a UPS and a secure, ventilated space.
- Distance: long runs to the far end of a plant or a guard shack need an intermediate closet, a fiber link, or a building bridge.
- Environment: put switches in a locked, ventilated enclosure away from dust and forklift traffic; use industrial-rated gear where a closet is not possible.
- Separation: keep production machines, cameras and door access on their own VLANs. The Pro Max and higher lines are Layer 3, so routing between VLANs can be controlled on the switch.
- Redundancy: Enterprise Campus switches offer hot-swap power supplies and stacking for sites that cannot afford a closet outage.
Do UniFi switches have licensing or support fees?
No. UniFi switches are managed from the UniFi console without per-port or per-device licenses. The costs to plan are the hardware, cabling, installation labor and optional support.
Ubiquiti's warranty is one year from shipment when bought through authorized distributors and resellers and two years when bought direct from the Ubiquiti web store. For total cost including labor and cabling, see what a UniFi installation costs.
Why use a local installer for UniFi switching?
Switching is where cabling, power and security design meet. A local installer builds the closet, tests the cable plant, labels everything and is on site when a switch or power supply fails.
- Local and accountable: Preferred Data Corporation was founded in 1987 (39 years in business) and is based in High Point, with on-site service within 200 miles, which covers the Piedmont Triad, Charlotte, Raleigh and most of North Carolina.
- Member of the UniFi Partner Program, and a full MSP/MSSP: the same team handles managed IT, cybersecurity and structured cabling and network work, so nobody points fingers between the WiFi installer and the IT provider.
- Track record with clients: 100+ active clients and a 20+ year average client tenure, plus a BBB A+ rating and 24/7 monitoring for managed clients.
Which Switching and PoE models do we typically specify?
These are the current models our engineers reach for most often. The right one depends on your building, users and budget, so we confirm the final list after a site walk.
Flex Mini
Best for: A few extra ports at a desk, kiosk or small room
- (5) 1 GbE ports
- Powered by USB-C or PoE in (no PoE out)
- 10 Gbps switching capacity
- US store price from $29 (observed Sep 2026, subject to change)
Standard 24 PoE
Best for: Small offices with a handful of APs and phones
- (24) 1 GbE (16 PoE+), (2) 1G SFP
- 95W total PoE budget
- 52 Gbps switching; Layer 2
- US store price $379 (observed Sep 2026, subject to change)
Pro Max 24 PoE
Best for: The workhorse for WiFi 7 APs and cameras in most closets
- (16) 1 GbE + (8) 2.5 GbE, (2) 10G SFP+
- 400W PoE budget; PoE++ up to 60W per port
- 112 Gbps switching; Layer 3; Etherlighting
- US store price $799 (observed Sep 2026, subject to change)
Pro XG 48 PoE
Best for: Large closets feeding 10 GbE access points and high-power devices
- (32) 10 GbE + (16) 2.5 GbE, all PoE+++; (4) 25G SFP28
- 1,080W PoE (200-240V) or 972W (100-120V); 90W per port
- 920 Gbps switching; Layer 3
- US store price $2,499 (observed Sep 2026, subject to change)
Enterprise Campus 48S PoE
Best for: Campus access layer that needs redundant power and stacking
- (32) 2.5 GbE + (16) 10 GbE PoE+++, (4) 25G SFP28, (2) 100G QSFP28
- 2,150W PoE (200-240V); 90W per port
- (2) hot-swap 1,200W power supplies; stacking
- US store price $3,999 (observed Sep 2026, subject to change)
Enterprise Campus Aggregation
Best for: Core of a multi-building campus tying closets together over fiber
- (48) 25G SFP28, (6) 100G QSFP28
- 3.6 Tbps switching; Layer 3
- (2) hot-swap 550W power supplies
- US store price $3,999 (observed Sep 2026, subject to change)
What does Preferred Data deliver?
- PoE budget worksheet covering every AP, camera, door reader, phone and intercom, with headroom for growth.
- Uplink design: 2.5 GbE ports for WiFi 7 APs, 10G or 25G fiber between closets and to the core.
- Closet and rack builds with cable management, labeling, UPS power and patch documentation.
- VLAN and Layer 3 configuration that keeps office, guest, camera, door access and production traffic apart.
- Coordination with the structured cabling crew so every drop is terminated, tested and mapped to a port.
- Firmware management and port-level monitoring through PDC managed services.
Frequently asked questions
How many access points can a UniFi Pro Max 24 PoE power?
On paper, sixteen U7 Pro Max APs at 25W each equal its 400W budget, but you should leave headroom. In practice PDC plans around twelve high-draw APs plus some cameras or readers on one Pro Max 24 PoE.
Do I need 2.5 GbE switch ports for WiFi 7 access points?
To get full speed, yes. The U7 Pro and U7 Pro Max have 2.5 GbE uplinks and the U7 Pro XGS has 10 GbE. They still work on 1 GbE ports, just capped at 1 Gbps.
Can UniFi switches route between VLANs?
Pro Max, Pro XG and Enterprise Campus switches are Layer 3 per Ubiquiti tech specs, so they can route between VLANs. Standard switches are Layer 2 and rely on the gateway for routing.
Can UniFi switches work with our existing cabling?
Usually. PDC tests existing runs, replaces damaged or out-of-spec cable, and labels every port during the switch installation.
Do you install UniFi switches in existing network racks?
Yes. We regularly rebuild existing racks and closets across the Piedmont Triad, including cable management and UPS power. Call (336) 886-3282 to schedule a walkthrough.