Altronix NETWAYSP8X2 8-Port PoE+ Fiber Media Converter with Dual SFP and 240W

Overview

The Altronix NETWAYSP8X2 is a hardened 8-port PoE+ fiber media converter designed for surveillance and access control deployments where copper Ethernet falls short on distance and where power consolidation matters. With 240W of total PoE output, two Gigabit SFP uplink ports, and a wide operating temperature range of -30°C to 55°C, this unit belongs in remote IDF closets, parking structure control points, and outdoor equipment cabinets where a standard unmanaged switch would simply fail. It bridges fiber backbone infrastructure to copper-connected edge devices — cameras, intercoms, readers — without a separate media converter and PoE injector at every drop.

Key Features

• 240W PoE Power Budget: Supports eight 802.3at PoE+ ports at up to 30W each, or two ports in 60W high-power mode for PTZ cameras or multi-sensor heads that would brownout a standard 15.4W PoE switch. The 56VDC/240W output at 6.4A continuous means the power budget is real — not a nameplate figure that collapses under simultaneous load.
• Dual Gigabit SFP Uplinks: Two gigabit SFP slots let you terminate single-mode or multimode fiber from the MDF, extending your copper LAN well beyond the 100-meter Ethernet limit. Use both uplinks for redundant ring topologies where uptime cannot be negotiated away.
• Mixed Ethernet Port Speeds: Six 10/100 Mbps ports serve standard IP cameras efficiently without wasting gigabit capacity, while two 10/100/1000 Mbps ports handle bandwidth-hungry devices — 4K cameras, NVRs, or edge servers — without a separate switch tier.
• VLAN Support (Up to 10 Groups, ID 2–4095): Segmenting camera traffic from access control or guest networks is achievable without an additional managed switch. Ten VLAN groups cover most small-to-mid deployment topologies where you need logical separation but not enterprise-grade VLAN stacking.
• Battery Backup Compatibility: The onboard 24VDC, 0.75A charging circuit supports LiFePO4, sealed lead acid, or gel batteries — giving attached PoE devices continued power through a mains outage. For life-safety camera positions or door controllers, this is the difference between a surveillance gap and a compliant install.
• Wide Temperature Tolerance (-30°C to 55°C): Rated for storage down to -40°C and operation starting at -30°C, the NETWAYSP8X2 survives unheated enclosures in cold climates where consumer-grade gear fails within the first winter.
• CE-Listed, Dual-Voltage Input: Accepts 115VAC/60Hz or 230VAC/50-60Hz, simplifying international deployments or sites with mixed panel voltages. CE listing satisfies European installation compliance requirements.

Integration and Compatibility

The NETWAYSP8X2 integrates into any IP surveillance or access control architecture that uses fiber backbone runs. Connect downstream IP cameras or readers directly to the eight PoE ports. SFP slots accept standard LC-interface transceivers — single-mode for long campus runs, multimode for shorter inter-building links. VLAN segmentation helps maintain network hygiene when mixing camera and access control traffic on the same physical layer. For installations requiring managed switching deeper in the stack, pair with a managed PoE switch at the MDF. Review your PoE power planning before assigning 60W high-power ports — two simultaneous 60W loads plus six 30W ports would exceed the 240W budget, so load planning is non-negotiable. The battery backup charging circuit makes this a natural fit alongside Altronix power accessories already present in most integrator panel builds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many cameras can the NETWAYSP8X2 power simultaneously at full 30W PoE+?

A: The 240W budget supports up to eight cameras at 30W each simultaneously. If any port is configured for 60W high-power mode, that reduces available budget for remaining ports — plan load assignments before deployment.

Q: Does the NETWAYSP8X2 support battery backup for connected PoE devices?

A: Yes. The unit includes a 24VDC, 0.75A charging circuit compatible with LiFePO4, sealed lead acid, or gel batteries. During a mains outage, connected cameras and access control devices continue to receive PoE power from the battery.

Q: What fiber types does the NETWAYSP8X2 support?

A: The two SFP slots are transceiver-agnostic — install single-mode or multimode SFP modules depending on your run distance. Transceiver selection determines fiber compatibility; the unit itself does not restrict type.

Q: Can the NETWAYSP8X2 operate in unheated outdoor enclosures in cold climates?

A: Yes. The operating temperature range is -30°C to 55°C, with storage rated to -40°C. This makes it suitable for unheated cabinet installs in northern climates, provided the enclosure is appropriately rated for the environment.

Q: Does the NETWAYSP8X2 support VLAN segmentation?

A: Yes, up to 10 VLAN groups with IDs in the range 2–4095, allowing logical separation of camera, access control, and other traffic on the same physical infrastructure.

James Everett

The NETWAYSP8X2 is the unit I reach for when a project has long fiber backbone runs feeding a cluster of PoE cameras or door controllers and the customer also needs battery holdover — the onboard 24VDC charging circuit removes a separate charger from the enclosure entirely, which matters in tight NEMA cabinets. The 240W at 56VDC output is genuine continuous capacity, not a peak figure that throttles under real load.

Technical Highlights:

• 240W PoE Budget at 56VDC/6.4A: Running all eight ports at 30W PoE+ maxes at 240W — the math closes cleanly. Switching two ports to 60W high-power mode for PTZ heads leaves 120W across the remaining six, so plan your port assignments on paper before commissioning.
• -30°C Operating Floor: Most managed PoE switches are rated to 0°C. The NETWAYSP8X2 survives -30°C operation and -40°C storage, which covers unheated parking garage cabinets and rooftop enclosures that kill commercial-grade gear in the first hard freeze.
• Dual SFP + 10 VLAN Groups: Two gigabit SFP uplinks support redundant ring fiber topologies. Layer in VLAN segmentation (up to 10 groups, IDs 2–4095) to keep camera multicast traffic isolated from access control polling without adding another managed switch to the BOM.

Deployment Considerations:

• The unit accepts 115VAC or 230VAC input — useful for international sites — but confirm your enclosure's circuit is fused appropriately for the 2.5A draw at 115VAC before closing the panel.
• Battery type flexibility (LiFePO4, SLA, gel) is an asset, but the 0.75A charging current is modest — size your battery for the holdover window you need and verify charge time against your AHJ's requirements for life-safety cameras.

For a mid-size parking structure or campus building where fiber already runs to each level's IDF and you need PoE consolidation, battery backup, and basic VLAN segmentation in a single 13.5