If you need a quiet, compact 16‑port PoE+ switch that just works, the NETGEAR GS116PP is worth a close look. It gives 183W of total PoE budget across Gigabit ports in a sturdy metal, fanless chassis and requires no setup. You’ll like the plug‑and‑play simplicity, but its lack of VLANs, SNMP, or remote tools means trade‑offs — here’s how those limits play out in real deployments.
Key Takeaways
- 16 PoE+ gigabit ports supply up to 183W total, supporting IEEE 802.3at devices like cameras, APs, and phones.
- Unmanaged, plug-and-play operation with silent fanless metal chassis ideal for noise-sensitive small sites.
- Robust build quality and energy-efficient design reduce thermal issues and ongoing power costs.
- Lacks VLANs, QoS, SNMP, and remote management, so unsuitable for segmented or monitored networks.
- Strong value for simple deployments requiring predictable PoE delivery, backed by NETGEAR lifetime hardware warranty.
Features and Benefits
You’re getting 16 full PoE+ ports and a 183W budget that lets you power multiple cameras, APs, or phones without a separate injector. Compared with smaller switches, the GS116PP delivers higher per-port availability while staying silent for noise-sensitive sites. Its IEEE 802.3az energy-efficient design reduces power draw under light loads, keeping operating costs and heat low. The switch is well-suited for small to medium-sized deployments and complements high-speed networking solutions with dual 2.5GbE ports for enhanced throughput.
16 PoE+ Ports
How much power do your edge devices actually need? You get sixteen PoE+ ports that supply standardized 802.3at power per port, so you can deploy APs, cameras, and phones without injectors. Compared to single-port injectors, the integrated design simplifies Cable management and reduces clutter. You’ll appreciate predictable power delivery during PoE+ troubleshooting — LEDs indicate active ports, isolating issues quickly. The unmanaged switch won’t let you allocate per-port priority, but it delivers consistent voltage and gigabit throughput. For small sites, the GS116PP balances density and simplicity, letting you power multiple devices reliably with minimal setup.
183W Power Budget
With 183W of total PoE power, the GS116PP gives you predictable headroom to run multiple PoE+ devices without per-port limits biting your deployment. You can allocate power distribution across 16 ports to prioritize cameras, access points, or phones, and the aggregate budget lets you mix devices without constant arithmetic. Compared with 130W or 150W switches, the GS116PP reduces forced port shutdowns under load. NETGEAR balances that capacity with thermal management to prevent overheating under sustained draw; you’ll get steady delivery rather than thermal throttling. For unmanaged installations, this balance minimizes surprises during scale-up.
Silent, Energy-Efficient Design
Although compact, the GS116PP runs quietly and uses power judiciously, so it fits into noise-sensitive and green-conscious deployments without compromise. You’ll notice low acoustic performance figures compared with fan-cooled alternatives; NETGEAR achieves near-silent operation by eliminating active fans and relying on chassis conduction. Its thermal management uses efficient PCB layout, heat-spreading metalwork, and IEEE 802.3az energy-efficient Ethernet to reduce heat and power draw under typical PoE loads. Compared to similar unmanaged PoE+ switches, you get quieter operation and lower ongoing energy cost, making the GS116PP suitable for offices, classrooms, and edge closets.
Product Quality
When you evaluate the GS116PP’s build and performance, its solid metal chassis, consistent Gigabit throughput across all 16 ports, and 183W PoE+ budget make it clear NETGEAR aimed for reliable, professional use rather than consumer-grade compromises. You’ll notice build quality in the rigid frame, clean seams, and durable mounting points; manufacturing consistency shows in uniform port alignment and repeatable power delivery under load. Compared to plastic or budget switches, the GS116PP minimizes thermal stress and offers predictable uptime. You can expect stable throughput, steady PoE allocation, and a level of component quality suited to long-term deployments. The switch’s durable construction and predictable power delivery mirror the reliable performance and sturdy design noted in other well-built networking and cabling products.
What It’s Used For
You’ll use the GS116PP to power and connect PoE devices like IP phones and access points without extra injectors, thanks to its 183W budget and 16 PoE+ ports. It’s a compact, unmanaged hub for small office networking where plug-and-play simplicity beats complex configuration. For surveillance and Wi‑Fi backhaul it offers dedicated gigabit links and silent operation, making it preferable to noisy, power-limited consumer switches. Regular monitoring of resource allocation helps prevent performance bottlenecks when many devices draw power and bandwidth.
Powering IP Devices
While configuring your network, you’ll appreciate that the GS116PP delivers both data and up to 30W per port over standard Ethernet, letting you power IP cameras, VoIP phones, wireless access points, and other PoE devices without separate power adapters. You’ll plan PoE budgeting around the 183W total power pool to avoid overloads; allocate ports for high-draw devices and reserve headroom for surge or expansion. Device compatibility is broad—PoE+ (802.3at) and legacy PoE devices work—but check individual power draws. Compared to midrange injectors, the GS116PP centralizes management-free power distribution, simplifying deployment and reducing cable clutter.
Small Office Networking
Having PoE handled by the GS116PP lets you simplify small office networking by powering endpoints directly from a single unmanaged switch, reducing wall adapters and outlet needs. You’ll deploy IP phones, access points, and compact servers without separate injectors, streamlining cabling and rackspace. For remote workstations, the GS116PP supports consistent gigabit links and centralized power, though you’ll lack VLAN or QoS controls found in managed gear. Use its 183W budget to match device draw and perform bandwidth planning at the network edge to avoid oversubscription. Its silent, energy-efficient design fits noise-sensitive offices requiring reliable, low-maintenance connectivity.
Surveillance and Wi-Fi Backhaul
For surveillance and Wi‑Fi backhaul, the GS116PP delivers centralized power and full gigabit connectivity to cameras and access points, removing the need for separate injectors and simplifying cabling. You’ll deploy up to 16 PoE+ devices with a 183W budget, which supports higher-draw PTZ cameras and multiple APs without per-port compromises. Compared to mixed low-power switches, this unit improves surveillance scalability by consolidating endpoints while preserving bandwidth. Its unmanaged design keeps latency low for video streams; however, you won’t get VLANs or QoS tuning. For resilience, link topologies should include backhaul redundancy at the uplink or core switch level.
Product Specifications
When you compare small enterprise switches, the GS116PP stands out with 16 Gigabit Ethernet ports that all support PoE+ and share a 183W total power budget, letting you power cameras, phones, and access points without add-on injectors. You get unmanaged, plug-and-play operation with desktop, wall, or rackmount flexibility and silent, energy-efficient IEEE 802.3az design. Firmware roadmap and port diagnostics expectations are minimal given its unmanaged class, but NETGEAR’s lifetime warranty and next-business-day replacement add operational confidence.
A viable option for small businesses and prosumers seeking reliable power delivery and simple deployment is to pair the switch with UPS-compatible systems to protect against outages and ensure uptime.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ports | 16 Gigabit / 16 PoE+ |
| Power Budget | 183W |
Who Needs This
If you need reliable PoE+ power across a compact switch, the GS116PP fits small offices, retail sites, and branch networks that must run multiple IP phones, access points, or cameras without separate injectors. You’ll choose it when you want 16 Gigabit ports and a 183W budget in a plug-and-play form factor that supports desktop, wall, or rackmount placement. It’s suited for installers who prefer silent, energy-efficient operation and for technicians provisioning dense AP or camera deployments. Consider it for advanced home labs and classroom installs where unmanaged simplicity, warranty support, and predictable PoE capacity matter. It also pairs well with high-performance networked storage like dual 10GbE SFP systems for faster file access and backups.
Pros
Because it delivers 16 Gigabit ports with a full 183W PoE+ budget in a compact, plug‑and‑play chassis, the GS116PP gives you high-density power and connectivity without added injectors or management overhead. You get reliable, silent operation and flexible mounting for tight deployments. Compared with managed alternatives, it lowers complexity while preserving multi-device support and energy-efficient IEEE 802.3az compliance. It’s ideal when you don’t need VLANs or QoS controls but do want robust uptime and warranty support.
- Dense 16-port PoE+ with 183W total power
- Plug‑and‑play simplicity; no configuration
- Compact, silent, flexible mounting
- Energy monitoring-friendly hardware profile
- Low cost versus remote management switches
The compact, fanless design makes it especially suitable for noise-sensitive environments, where silent operation and low power consumption are priorities.
Cons
Although it’s straightforward to deploy, the GS116PP lacks managed features you’d expect in more professional setups, so you won’t get VLANs, QoS controls, link aggregation, or SNMP for monitoring and traffic segmentation. That makes it less suitable if you need traffic shaping, segmentation, or centralized management. Firmware updates are manual and limited, increasing risk of security vulnerabilities compared with managed or cloud integration-capable switches. You’ll trade simplicity and silent operation for constrained control.
Straightforward to deploy but lacking VLANs, QoS, link aggregation, SNMP, and remote management — simpler but less controllable.
- No VLAN or QoS configuration
- No link aggregation support
- No SNMP or telemetry for monitoring
- Limited firmware update options
- No cloud integration or remote management
Regular security-conscious deployments should consider hardware with Secure Boot and TPM support to better protect firmware and cryptographic keys.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers consistently praise the GS116PP for reliable plug-and-play performance and solid PoE power delivery. You’ll read customer feedback noting effortless setup, steady gigabit throughput, and the full 183W budget powering multiple cameras and APs without negotiation issues. Users compare it favorably to managed alternatives when they need simplicity, citing silent operation and flexible mounting as practical advantages. Some report limited visibility into port stats—expected for unmanaged gear—so you won’t get VLANs or PoE scheduling. Overall user experience emphasizes dependable hardware, minimal maintenance, and predictable behavior, useful if you prioritize straightforward, high-power PoE deployment. The unit’s energy efficiency is notable for deployments where low power draw and quiet operation matter, similar to fanless designs with low power consumption.
Overall Value
When you compare cost, power budget, and simplicity, the GS116PP delivers strong value for deployments that need plentiful PoE without management overhead; its 16 PoE+ ports and 183W budget undercut many managed switches on price while still powering multiple cameras and APs reliably. You’ll appreciate straightforward power management without a GUI, reducing setup time and failure points. In a cost analysis, the GS116PP favors scenarios where predictable PoE delivery and low operational complexity matter more than VLANs or QoS tuning. For small offices, retail, or simple surveillance systems, it’s a pragmatic, cost-efficient choice. Mini PCs are also a good fit for retail POS deployments because of their space-saving design, which complements the GS116PP’s low-complexity power delivery.
Tips and Tricks For Best Results
Start by planning your PoE load so you don’t exceed the GS116PP’s 183W budget: list each device’s max PoE draw, prioritize critical gear, and allocate ports accordingly to avoid unexpected shutdowns. Use port labeling to map devices to power consumption, simplifying troubleshooting and maintenance. Combine disciplined cable management with proper routing to reduce interference and ease rackmount or wall installs. Although unmanaged, perform periodic firmware updates on upstream equipment and endpoints to guarantee compatibility. For larger deployments, apply manual load balancing by distributing high-draw devices across separate power groups and monitor behavior to refine allocations.
Conclusion
After planning PoE loads and organizing your cabling, you’ll see how the GS116PP stacks up: it delivers 16 Gigabit ports with full PoE+ across a 183W budget in a silent, energy-efficient chassis. You’ll appreciate plug-and-play simplicity for quick deployment planning, and flexibility for desktop, wall, or rackmount placement. Compared to managed alternatives, it won’t give VLANs or QoS controls, but it reduces complexity and cost while providing reliable power. Prioritize cable management to maximize airflow and troubleshooting. With NETGEAR’s lifetime hardware warranty and next-business-day replacement, it’s a pragmatic choice for straightforward PoE+ deployments. Its quiet, energy-efficient design mirrors the emphasis on silent operation and efficiency found in modern NAS and network devices, including enhanced network performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does It Support VLANS or Network Segmentation?
No, it doesn’t support VLAN support or advanced network segmentation; you’re limited to basic Layer 2 switching. If you need VLANs or segmented traffic, you’ll want a managed switch or smart switch offering explicit VLAN and segmentation features.
Can Poe Power Limits Be Configured per Port?
No — you can’t configure per port PoE limits; the unmanaged design lacks per port power monitoring and dynamic allocation controls, so you’ll rely on overall budgeting and device negotiation rather than granular, switch-side power management.
Is There a Web UI or SNMP Management Option?
No — you won’t get a web UI or SNMP; it’s a no management, unmanaged switch with simple setup. You’ll use plug and play convenience, sacrificing remote configuration and per-port monitoring for straightforward deployment.
What Is the Operating Temperature Range?
You can operate it between 0°C and 40°C ambient temperature, and it won’t include thermal throttling safeguards—so you’ll need to compare cooler environments to avoid overheating and guarantee sustained PoE performance under heavy load.
Does It Come With a Power Cord Compatible Outside U.S./Canada?
No, it ships with a power cord for U.S./Canada only; it doesn’t include international adapters. You’ll need to source regionally compatible cords or adapters for other countries, comparing voltage and plug types before use.
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