Altronix NETWAY2ESWPN 2-Port PoE+ Outdoor Switch Enclosure

The Altronix NETWAY2ESWPN is a purpose-built outdoor network switch enclosure that solves a common integration problem: extending PoE+ power and network connectivity to remote security devices without running separate power infrastructure to the field location. Each of the two ports delivers up to 90W of PoE+ power—enough for high-draw devices like motorized turret cameras, outdoor wireless access points, or PTZ units—while the ruggedized enclosure withstands seasonal temperature swings, UV exposure, moisture from rain and irrigation systems, and corrosive salt-air environments typical of perimeter security deployments.

Key Features

• Two PoE+ Ports (90W Each): Both ports support full Power over Ethernet Plus delivery per IEEE 802.3at, eliminating the need for separate DC power supplies at remote endpoints. A single network drop carries both data and power to dual-camera installations or mixed-device configurations (camera plus access point, for example).
• Outdoor-Rated Enclosure: Ruggedized housing engineered for direct environmental exposure—rain, UV, temperature extremes, and corrosive agents won't degrade performance or force relocation to a protected cabinet. This means lower installation cost and longer mean time between failures in field conditions.
• Fanless Passive Thermal Design: No moving parts means no maintenance, no noise, and no power draw dedicated to cooling. In outdoor deployments where service calls are expensive, fanless architecture reduces lifecycle cost significantly.
• Compact Wall- or Pole-Mount Form Factor: Fits existing installation templates without requiring custom fabrication or oversized enclosures. Minimizes visual footprint on architectural surfaces or utility poles.
• Network Extension at the Edge: Positions PoE+ switching at the perimeter rather than back at the network cabinet, reducing long cable runs (and associated voltage drop risk) while distributing power load across multiple PoE+ sourcing points. Practical for sprawling campuses, warehouses, or multi-building sites where centralized infrastructure placement is not feasible.
• Plug-and-Play Integration: No firmware, no management interface, no configuration required. The NETWAY2ESWPN operates transparently—it sources PoE+ from any standard PoE+ switch or injector upstream, then delivers that power independently to each of its two output ports. Works with existing IP security networks and ONVIF-compliant devices out of the box.

Integration and Deployment Context

Security integrators and IT architects frequently encounter installations where a single network cable must service multiple devices at a remote location—a camera mounted on a pole 200 feet from the network closet, an access point at a building corner, or a pair of perimeter sensors that share a conduit run. Running separate power supplies to each device multiplies cost and complexity. The NETWAY2ESWPN eliminates that problem by allowing a single PoE+ drop to split into two independent 90W channels downstream.

The outdoor enclosure design means the NETWAY2ESWPN can be mounted directly to a wall, pole, or equipment frame without secondary weatherproof housing. Integrators avoid the cost and bulk of additional enclosures, and IT teams avoid managing climate-controlled spaces in field locations. Temperature operating range and environmental sealing are built in—deploy and forget.

For warehouse automation and access control deployments, the NETWAY2ESWPN extends network reach to loading docks, gate control points, and perimeter readers without requiring an additional network closet or power distribution panel at each location. This reduces cabling overhead and simplifies network topology documentation.

When to Choose a Different Model

If your site requires more than two networked devices at a single remote location, consider a higher-port-count variant in the Altronix managed switch line—those offer four, eight, or more PoE+ ports in a single enclosure. If you need on-site power management, port monitoring, or SNMP reporting, a managed outdoor switch will provide those capabilities; the NETWAY2ESWPN trades that intelligence for simplicity and cost savings. If your devices draw less than 15W each and are located near existing PoE infrastructure, standard indoor PoE+ switches may suffice—the outdoor enclosure rating adds cost only if environmental exposure is a real constraint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the NETWAY2ESWPN require power supply configuration or management?

A: No. Connect the upstream network port to a PoE+ source (switch port or injector), and both output ports deliver PoE+ automatically. No firmware, no IP address assignment, no ongoing management.

Q: Can I daisy-chain two NETWAY2ESWPN units?

A: Yes, as long as your upstream PoE+ source can supply enough wattage. Each unit draws its full 180W potential; verify your switch or injector has sufficient available power budget.

Q: What's the maximum cable run between the NETWAY2ESWPN and my PoE+ switch?

A: Standard Ethernet cable rules apply: up to 100 meters (328 feet) per IEEE 802.3. Voltage drop becomes a concern on runs near that limit with high-power devices; consult Altronix documentation for your specific device power draw if you're at the edge of that distance.

Q: Is the NETWAY2ESWPN ONVIF compatible?

A: The enclosure itself is protocol-agnostic—it passes network traffic and power transparently. It works with any ONVIF-compliant camera or device that operates over standard Ethernet and PoE+.

Q: Can I install the NETWAY2ESWPN outdoors year-round?

A: Yes. The ruggedized enclosure is rated for outdoor environmental exposure including temperature extremes, moisture, UV, and salt-air corrosion. Mounting location (wall, pole, bracket) should be assessed for wind loading and accessibility.

Q: What happens if one PoE+ port fails?

A: The other port continues to operate independently. There is no internal switching or failover logic—each port is a separate PoE+ source. A failure on one port does not affect the other.

James Everett

Perspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.

I've deployed the Altronix NETWAY2ESWPN on perimeter security jobs where remote camera locations demanded reliable PoE+ delivery without running back to a central network closet. The 90W-per-port capacity and fanless outdoor enclosure solve real installation constraints: no additional power infrastructure at the endpoint, no maintenance burden from mechanical components in harsh conditions, and straightforward plug-and-play operation that doesn't require network engineering overhead.

Technical Highlights:

• 90W Per Port (802.3at PoE+): Sufficient for motorized turret cameras, outdoor PTZ units, and dual-radio access points that standard 15W 802.3af cannot support. This wattage ceiling matters when you're dealing with high-draw devices that would otherwise require separate DC supplies in the field.
• Fanless Passive Thermal Design: No moving parts means no maintenance cycles, no mechanical wear in outdoor temperature extremes, and no power draw wasted on cooling. On a 10-camera perimeter deployment, passive thermal design adds up to lower total cost of ownership over 5–7 years.
• Transparent Network Pass-Through: The NETWAY2ESWPN requires no configuration—it doesn't manage traffic, filter, or report on port status. It simply accepts upstream PoE+ and distributes it downstream. This simplicity is deliberate: fewer integration variables, faster field commissioning, fewer support calls.

Deployment Considerations:

• Verify upstream PoE+ source has 180W available if you plan to drive both ports at full power. A single PoE+ switch port typically budgets 90W per port, so two NETWAY2ESWPN units chained upstream will require two separate switch ports or a high-wattage PoE injector.
• On long cable runs (approaching 100 meters), voltage drop becomes a factor with high-power devices. Test end-to-end voltage at the camera connector if you're near the distance or power limit—PoE+ is robust, but margin matters in perimeter security where field troubleshooting is expensive.
• The NETWAY2ESWPN is protocol-transparent but not managed. If you need per-port monitoring, power cycling by port, or SNMP alerts, this is not the right tool—step up to a managed outdoor switch from Altronix or a peer vendor.

The NETWAY2ESWPN is the right choice for warehouse automation sites, campus perimeter security, and multi-building access control deployments where you need to push two PoE+ devices to a remote location without running separate power and need the enclosure to survive outdoor weather without secondary protection or climate control. It's not a managed switch and doesn't pretend to be—that trade-off is what keeps cost and complexity down.