Managed 48-port PoE switching for business networks
Ubiquiti EdgeSwitch 48 PoE 500W ES-48-500W in Dubai, UAE
The ES-48-500W combines forty-eight Gigabit copper access ports, a 500W shared PoE budget and four fibre uplink interfaces in a rack-mount platform intended for structured, high-port-density networks. It is especially relevant where access points, cameras, phones or other powered endpoints must be connected and managed from a central communications rack.
Direct answer for buyers
The Ubiquiti EdgeSwitch ES-48-500W is a managed Layer 2/3 PoE switch for organisations that require many wired endpoints and a substantial shared power budget in one rack unit. Its main role is to connect and power business devices while supporting segmented network design and higher-capacity fibre uplinks. It should be considered by buyers planning dense wireless, surveillance, voice, hospitality, campus or office access networks. Before proceeding, confirm whether each endpoint uses IEEE 802.3af/at or 24V passive PoE, calculate the total wattage, verify optic and cabling requirements, review management and feature expectations, and check current supply status for the intended destination.
What the ES-48-500W does
The switch acts as a central access-layer platform for up to forty-eight copper-connected devices. It forwards local network traffic, supports logical segmentation, provides PoE to compatible equipment and offers fibre interfaces for upstream connections or links to other network areas. Its 1/10G SFP+ ports can be used where higher-capacity uplinks are needed, while the separate 1G SFP ports provide additional fibre flexibility.
Because it combines switching and power delivery, the unit can reduce the number of individual power adapters required around a site. That makes it useful in ceilings, corridors, reception areas, meeting rooms, guest floors and other locations where endpoints are easier to reach through Ethernet than through local electrical outlets.
Who should consider it
The ES-48-500W may suit IT teams, system integrators and project owners building a high-density Gigabit access network with a mixed estate of access points, surveillance cameras, IP phones, point-to-point radios or other compatible powered devices. It is particularly relevant where local switch administration, command-line access and detailed port-level control are preferred.
It may be less suitable when the project requires multi-gigabit copper access, a cloud-first controller workflow, higher-speed access ports, a lower PoE budget, or a platform that is standardised on another management ecosystem. In those cases, a newer UniFi switching model or another vendor platform may be more appropriate.
Business challenges this switch can help address
Too many powered endpoints
Separate injectors and adapters become difficult to document and maintain as device counts grow. A shared 500W PoE budget allows compatible endpoints to be powered from the communications rack, subject to per-port and total limits.
Access-layer congestion
Two 1/10G SFP+ ports give the design team options for higher-capacity uplinks, reducing the likelihood that a large group of Gigabit users must share only a single low-speed upstream path.
Inconsistent network segmentation
Managed switching allows business traffic to be separated by role, such as staff, guest, voice, cameras or building systems. The design still needs correct VLAN, routing and security policies across the wider network.
Limited rack space
Forty-eight access ports, PoE delivery and multiple fibre interfaces are provided in a 1U chassis, helping projects make efficient use of cabinet height while retaining appropriate depth and ventilation.
Core capabilities at a glance
Forty-eight RJ45 ports support dense wired edge connectivity.
Supports compatible IEEE-powered devices and 24V passive PoE with careful port configuration.
Two 10G-capable SFP+ and two 1G SFP interfaces support varied topologies.
Browser, Ethernet and serial-console access support direct operational control.
Product-fit decision matrix
| Requirement | Suitable when | Confirm before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| High port density | The site needs up to 48 Gigabit copper connections in one rack unit. | Actual device count, spare capacity and patch-panel layout. |
| Central PoE delivery | Total endpoint demand fits within the 500W shared budget and per-port limits. | PoE standard, startup draw, cable length and future expansion allowance. |
| 10G uplink requirement | One or two SFP+ links are enough for aggregation or server connectivity. | Optic type, fibre mode, distance, transceiver compatibility and redundancy design. |
| Local switch control | The operations team prefers direct web, CLI or serial management. | Monitoring, backup, authentication and change-control requirements. |
| Mixed powered devices | The network includes supported PoE/PoE+ or approved 24V passive devices. | Never assume passive and standards-based power modes are interchangeable. |
Verified technical information
The following model-specific values are based on Ubiquiti technical information for ES-48-500W. Project-level suitability still depends on the wider network design, firmware, connected equipment and regional supply conditions.
| Brand | Ubiquiti |
|---|---|
| Product name | EdgeSwitch 48 PoE (500W) |
| Model | ES-48-500W |
| Product type | Managed Layer 2/3 PoE switch |
| Copper interfaces | 48 × 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ45 |
| Fibre interfaces | 2 × 1/10G SFP+ and 2 × 1G SFP |
| Total non-blocking throughput | 70 Gbps |
| Switching capacity | 140 Gbps |
| Forwarding rate | 104.16 Mpps |
| PoE interfaces | 48-port PoE/PoE+ support and 24V DC passive PoE support; device compatibility must be confirmed |
| Total PoE availability | 500W |
| Maximum PoE wattage per port | PoE+: 34.2W by PSE; passive PoE: 17W |
| Input power | 100–240V AC, 50/60 Hz, universal input |
| Switch consumption excluding PoE output | Up to 64W |
| Management interface | RJ45 serial console and Ethernet in-band/out-of-band management |
| Form factor | 1U rack mount |
| Dimensions | 485 × 43.7 × 374.6 mm |
| Weight | 6.1 kg |
| Operating temperature | -5 to 40°C |
| Operating humidity | 5 to 95% non-condensing |
| Availability | Contact FourTeck for current UAE options, quantity confirmation and lead-time guidance. |
Compatibility and power-mode notice
The ES-48-500W supports both standards-based PoE/PoE+ and 24V passive PoE, but these power methods are not interchangeable. A wrong passive-power setting can damage an incompatible endpoint. The installer should document each powered device, its required voltage, its maximum draw and the exact switch-port profile before connecting power. The total wattage calculation should include headroom for startup demand, environmental conditions and later additions. Optics and direct-attach cables also need model, speed, distance and fibre-type confirmation. Where an existing network uses UniFi controller-based management, the operational difference between EdgeSwitch local management and UniFi-managed switching should be reviewed before standardising on this model.
A practical purchase and deployment journey
Map the endpoints
List every camera, access point, phone, radio, controller, workstation and uplink. Record port speed and PoE requirements rather than relying only on device count.
Build the PoE budget
Add the maximum draw of all powered devices, include realistic expansion headroom and verify per-port limits. Separate passive 24V equipment from IEEE PoE endpoints.
Design uplinks and VLANs
Choose SFP or SFP+ connectivity, confirm fibre distance and decide how staff, guest, voice, surveillance and infrastructure traffic will be segmented.
Confirm the bill of materials
Include the switch, optics, patch leads, rack accessories, cable management, UPS capacity, labelling and any installation or configuration services.
Stage and validate
Update approved firmware, create a configuration backup, test power delivery on representative endpoints and validate uplinks before the production change window.
500W PoE capacity: useful only when it is properly planned
A large total power budget is one of the main reasons to consider the ES-48-500W, but the headline figure should not be treated as a promise that every port can simultaneously deliver its maximum power. The actual design is limited by the shared 500W pool, per-port limits, endpoint behaviour and the switch’s own operating conditions. A network with forty-eight low-power phones has a very different profile from a network with high-draw cameras, multi-radio access points or outdoor wireless equipment.
A responsible power plan begins with the endpoint data sheets. Record the maximum rather than only the typical consumption, because startup and peak demand can be higher. Identify devices that use 802.3af, 802.3at or passive 24V, and avoid mixing assumptions. Add an engineering margin so that adding a small number of devices does not immediately exceed the budget. The upstream UPS must also be sized for the switch itself plus delivered PoE load, taking runtime expectations into account.
For surveillance projects, consider whether infrared illumination, heaters or motors increase power draw at night or during certain weather conditions. For wireless deployments, check whether an access point reduces radio capability when insufficient power is supplied. For voice networks, confirm whether phones power attached expansion modules. FourTeck can help translate a device schedule into a practical PoE allocation and identify where a second switch, a different model or a revised rack design would be safer.
Uplink flexibility for access, aggregation and server connections
The combination of two 1/10G SFP+ ports and two 1G SFP ports gives the ES-48-500W more uplink flexibility than a switch limited to a pair of Gigabit fibre interfaces. A common design may use the SFP+ ports for redundant or aggregated links to a core switch while reserving the 1G SFP ports for a secondary building connection, monitoring link or legacy fibre path. The exact topology depends on the supported software features, the upstream platform and the organisation’s resilience requirements.
An SFP+ interface is only one part of a working link. The project must also specify optic wavelength, fibre mode, connector type, distance and the matching transceiver at the far end. Short in-rack links may use compatible direct-attach copper, while longer building links generally use fibre. Optical budgets, patch-panel loss and environmental conditions should be checked for longer paths.
Ten-gigabit uplinks can reduce contention, but they do not automatically solve every performance issue. The traffic profile, VLAN design, broadcast behaviour, server capacity and upstream routing or firewall throughput all influence user experience. Two SFP+ ports also limit how many independent 10G paths are available, so projects needing several high-speed uplinks, stacked architectures or multi-gigabit access ports should compare newer switching platforms before finalising the purchase.
Local management and operational control
EdgeSwitch is intended for direct switch administration rather than being adopted into a UniFi Network controller in the same manner as UniFi switches. That distinction matters for organisations standardising monitoring, configuration, firmware and troubleshooting workflows. The ES-48-500W provides browser-based management, Ethernet access and an RJ45 serial console, giving technical teams several ways to reach the switch during commissioning or recovery.
Local control can be valuable in service-provider, industrial, campus or multi-vendor networks where administrators need detailed switch-level access. It also creates operational responsibilities. Configuration backups, administrator credentials, firmware policy, logging destinations, time synchronisation and change records should be managed deliberately. Remote access should be restricted through the management network and protected according to the organisation’s security policy.
Before choosing this model, buyers should compare its management approach with their current standards. A business already running a central UniFi workflow may value controller visibility more than direct administration, while an integrator managing heterogeneous networks may prefer the EdgeSwitch model. FourTeck can help clarify the operational difference and determine whether the model matches the customer’s support process rather than focusing only on port count and PoE wattage.
Ideal environments and use cases
Corporate office access layer
Connect staff workstations, phones, wireless access points, meeting-room equipment and printers while separating departments or services through VLANs.
Hospitality and multi-floor properties
Provide dense port capacity for guest Wi-Fi, IP telephony, cameras and back-office systems, with fibre uplinks between floors or communications rooms.
Video surveillance networks
Power and connect many compatible IP cameras, provided total PoE draw, multicast behaviour, recording bandwidth and uplink capacity are properly designed.
Education and training facilities
Support classrooms, labs, wireless coverage, administrative offices and CCTV from an access switch with substantial port density.
Wireless and WISP infrastructure
Serve compatible radios, access points and supporting equipment where passive 24V requirements are carefully documented and controlled.
Warehouses and light industrial sites
Connect scanners, cameras, access points, phones and operational endpoints in a central cabinet, subject to temperature, dust and enclosure planning.
Integration and operational considerations
A switch is part of a wider network, so its selection should be reviewed alongside the router, firewall, wireless platform, surveillance system, servers, monitoring tools and power infrastructure. VLANs configured on the ES-48-500W must be allowed and handled correctly on upstream trunks. Inter-VLAN traffic requires routing elsewhere or through supported Layer 3 functions, depending on the design. Security policies should be enforced at the appropriate boundary rather than assuming segmentation alone provides complete protection.
The rack should have sufficient depth, front and rear access, airflow and cable management. Copper cabling should be certified for the required speed and distance. The UPS must support the expected PoE load and desired runtime. Network monitoring should include uplink utilisation, errors, power consumption, temperature and device availability. Configuration backups should be stored securely and tested as part of recovery planning.
For replacement projects, compare the old and new port configurations before moving cables. Pay attention to untagged and tagged VLANs, link aggregation, spanning-tree behaviour, PoE mode, speed negotiation and management addressing. A staged migration reduces the risk of accidental outages or power mismatch.
Buyer questions to resolve before ordering
Include spare ports for expansion, temporary devices and maintenance.
List IEEE and passive devices separately with maximum wattage.
Consider redundancy, aggregation, server links and future core changes.
Confirm single-mode or multimode, distance, connectors and far-end equipment.
Align the switch with existing operational standards and skills.
Separate supply, configuration, migration, installation and post-change support.
Procurement checklist
☐ Exact model: ES-48-500W
☐ Required quantity and spare strategy
☐ Endpoint and port schedule
☐ IEEE PoE versus 24V passive PoE mapping
☐ Total power budget with headroom
☐ SFP and SFP+ optic requirements
☐ Fibre type, connector and distance
☐ Rack depth, airflow and cable management
☐ UPS load and runtime expectation
☐ VLAN, uplink and management design
☐ Firmware and configuration backup plan
☐ Installation and migration scope
☐ Warranty terms for the supplied region
☐ Delivery destination and target schedule
How FourTeck can assist
FourTeck can review the endpoint list, calculate PoE demand, confirm whether the ES-48-500W is appropriately sized and identify the optics, patching, rack and power components needed for a complete bill of materials. Assistance can also cover VLAN planning, configuration scope, migration preparation and coordination of installation requirements.
The purpose of this review is to reduce ordering errors, not to force one model into every project. Where port speed, management approach, lifecycle preference or uplink requirements point to another switch, FourTeck can discuss suitable alternatives.
Information needed for an accurate quote
Share the destination, quantity, required delivery window, endpoint schedule, PoE standards, fibre distances, optic preferences, rack details and whether installation or configuration is included. For replacement projects, provide the existing switch model and a sanitised port/VLAN summary.
UAE availability and support guidance
Contact FourTeck to confirm current UAE availability for the Ubiquiti ES-48-500W. Supply can vary according to quantity, vendor channel conditions, hardware availability and the destination of the order. The model should not be assumed to be immediately available simply because it remains visible in an online catalogue. A quotation should state the exact model, included items, warranty terms, estimated lead time and validity period.
Where the switch forms part of a new deployment, delivery coordination can be discussed after the complete requirement is confirmed. Installation and configuration should be quoted as separate, clearly defined work when required. Businesses can review related networking options through the FourTeck product portfolio or contact the team for a model-specific discussion.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman coverage
FourTeck can coordinate requirement review and quotation support for organisations operating in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman. The recommended approach is to share the installation location, quantity, rack environment, endpoint list and service scope at the beginning of the enquiry. This allows the quotation to separate product supply from optional configuration, installation, migration or testing work. Travel, site access, working-hour restrictions and project documentation requirements may affect service planning and should be confirmed in advance.
GCC Availability
FourTeck can assist GCC organisations evaluating the ES-48-500W with requirement review, model confirmation, quotation coordination, PoE planning, optic selection and delivery discussions. Projects in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman may have different supply routes, lead times, import requirements and service conditions. Product availability, warranty handling, installation scope and vendor lead time can therefore vary by country, quantity and project schedule. Buyers should provide the destination country, exact model, required quantity, fibre and PoE requirements, preferred deployment date and any configuration or onsite expectations. For Kuwait-related enquiries, regional coordination can also be explored through FourTeck Kuwait. No local inventory, delivery date or installation timetable should be assumed until it is confirmed in a formal quotation.
Africa Availability
Organisations planning network projects in Africa can contact FourTeck for product evaluation, accessory selection, PoE calculations, configuration scope and regional procurement guidance. Availability may depend on the destination, quantity, power requirements, shipping arrangements, vendor lead time and local project conditions. Buyers should share the exact model, endpoint schedule, fibre requirements, preferred deployment window and whether remote or onsite assistance is expected. East African requirements may be coordinated through resources such as FourTeck Kenya and FourTeck Uganda, while broader enquiries can be directed through FourTeck Africa. Local stock, customs outcomes, country-wide field coverage and fixed delivery times must be confirmed for each request rather than assumed.
Related products, services and alternatives
Lower-port-count PoE switching
Consider a 24-port model when the endpoint count and growth plan do not justify forty-eight access ports.
Newer UniFi managed switches
Suitable where controller-based management, newer access speeds or additional uplink options are priorities.
SFP and SFP+ connectivity
Optics, DAC cables and fibre patching must be selected according to distance, media and equipment compatibility.
Network configuration services
Define VLANs, uplinks, management access, spanning-tree settings, monitoring and configuration backups.
Rack and power planning
Include UPS capacity, ventilation, rack depth, cable management and electrical load in the project design.
Why businesses contact FourTeck
Businesses contact FourTeck when they need to turn a model number into a complete and supportable requirement. That may involve checking whether the switch has enough port and PoE capacity, selecting suitable optics, reviewing compatibility, preparing a bill of materials, defining configuration tasks or planning a migration window. FourTeck can also help compare the ES-48-500W with newer or differently managed platforms when lifecycle, availability or operational standards influence the decision.
The assistance is practical: clarify what is required, identify dependencies, separate standard hardware from optional services and prepare a quotation that matches the deployment. Learn more about the company through the FourTeck company profile.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ES-48-500W suitable for 48 PoE devices at once?
It can connect up to 48 powered endpoints, but suitability depends on the combined wattage and each port’s requirement. Add the maximum draw of all devices and keep within the 500W shared budget and per-port limits.
Does it support PoE+?
Yes. The model supports PoE/PoE+ on its RJ45 interfaces. Endpoint compatibility and the required wattage should still be checked before connection.
Can I use 24V passive PoE safely?
Only with devices explicitly designed for the supported passive voltage and with the port correctly configured. Passive PoE should never be enabled based on assumption because an incorrect power mode may damage equipment.
How many 10G uplinks are available?
The switch provides two 1/10G SFP+ ports. It also has two separate 1G SFP ports. Optics or DAC cables must be selected for the intended link.
Is this switch managed by the UniFi Network controller?
EdgeSwitch uses direct local management rather than the normal UniFi switch adoption workflow. Buyers should confirm that this operating model fits their network-management standard.
What should be included in the quotation?
The quotation should identify the exact switch model, quantity, optics, cables, rack items, warranty terms, lead time and any configuration, installation or migration services.
Can it be used for IP cameras?
Yes, provided the cameras use compatible PoE and the total power, uplink bandwidth, recording architecture and VLAN design are correctly planned.
Is installation included with the hardware?
Installation is not assumed. Rack mounting, patching, configuration, migration and testing should be clearly included in the quotation when required.
Is the ES-48-500W currently available in Dubai?
Current availability must be confirmed with FourTeck because supply may vary by quantity, vendor lead time and regional channel conditions.
What information should I send FourTeck?
Send the quantity, destination, endpoint list, PoE requirements, uplink design, fibre distances, rack details, target schedule and any installation or configuration expectations.
Confirm the model, PoE budget and complete bill of materials
Share your endpoint schedule and deployment details with FourTeck for an ES-48-500W quotation, UAE availability guidance and optional configuration or installation planning.
