Altronix NETWAY4EWP 4-Port Gigabit PoE+ Managed Switch
The Altronix NETWAY4EWP is a ruggedized, outdoor-rated managed Ethernet switch designed for distributed security and building automation deployments where reliable power delivery and extended network backbone connectivity are non-negotiable. Built into a NEMA 4/4X, IP66-rated stainless steel or epoxy-coated enclosure, the NETWAY4EWP combines four gigabit PoE/PoE+ ports with a single-mode fiber SFP uplink and an integrated 120W power supply—eliminating the need for separate power injectors, external PoE splitters, or remote UPS modules at satellite switch locations.
Key Features
- 4x Gigabit PoE/PoE+ Ports (10/100/1000 Mbps): All four ports support both standard PoE (802.3af, ~13W) and PoE+ (802.3at, ~30W) by default, with a field-configurable option to allocate full 60W per port to two prioritized connections—critical when powering PTZ cameras, high-powered access points, or access control readers that would otherwise exceed standard PoE budgets.
- Configurable Hi-PoE Output (2x 60W): Reassign the switch to deliver 60W to two selected ports instead of spreading power across four. This flexibility means you deploy the same hardware for different network topologies without stock rotation—a real cost and logistics win for multi-site integrators.
- 1G SFP Single-Mode Fiber Uplink: Fiber connectivity eliminates copper cable runs across long distances (up to 10 km with appropriate SFP modules), sidesteps ground-loop noise in mixed-media installations, and provides EMI immunity in electrically noisy environments like industrial or manufacturing facilities. No more running conduit across rooftops or through existing cable trays.
- 120W Integrated Power Supply: Draws standard AC mains (110–240V) and distributes power across PoE ports plus integrated battery charger output. This charger function ties directly to 48VDC battery backup systems or uninterruptible power supplies, ensuring the switch and all downstream endpoints remain operational during utility power loss—essential for mission-critical security and access control systems.
- NEMA 4/4X, IP66 Enclosure Rating: Sealed stainless steel or epoxy-coated construction withstands coastal salt spray, industrial washdown spray, rain, dust, and temperature extremes from -40°C to +60°C. Deploy directly to outdoor wall mounts, utility closets, or rooftop cabinets without shelter or additional weatherproofing—no thermostatic fan kits required.
- Modular Switch/Power Board Design: Separate circuit boards for the switch function and power supply allow field technicians to swap the failed board without removing the entire unit from the enclosure. This modularity cuts mean-time-to-repair from hours to minutes and extends the useful life of the chassis beyond a single power supply or switch failure.
- LINQ Integration Ready: Native compatibility with Altronix LINQ system management platform enables centralized power and network health monitoring across multi-site deployments. Track port status, power consumption per port, battery charger health, and temperature—all from a single pane of glass.
- Layer 2 Managed Switch Architecture: Supports VLAN tagging, STP, port mirroring, and quality-of-service (QoS) configuration—allowing integrators to isolate video traffic from access control or intercom data streams and prioritize critical packets during congestion.
Integration & Compatibility
The NETWAY4EWP operates as a standards-compliant managed Ethernet switch compatible with any IP camera, wireless access point, access control reader, or intercom endpoint. The combination of PoE power delivery and gigabit switching eliminates the need for external power injectors or inline splitters at remote locations—simplifying cable runs and reducing points of failure. Fiber SFP uplink allows long-distance backbone connectivity without running copper, reducing ground-loop issues in installations that mix 48VDC security circuits with AC-powered network infrastructure.
The 120W power budget and field-configurable Hi-PoE mode (2x 60W) accommodate high-power device combinations without oversubscription. Pair the NETWAY4EWP with network switches and power distribution equipment from the Altronix catalog to build redundant, resilient outdoor security networks. The integrated battery charger enables seamless integration with standard 48VDC battery backup and uninterruptible power supplies, protecting continuous operation during AC outages—a critical requirement for access control and building life-safety systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can the NETWAY4EWP run all four ports at maximum PoE+ simultaneously?
A: By default, the four ports share the 120W power budget (approximately 30W per port in PoE+ mode). If all four endpoints draw maximum power simultaneously, total draw will exceed 120W and trigger power sharing or port shutoff. The field-configurable Hi-PoE mode reassigns power to two ports at 60W each, leaving the other two at standard PoE levels—plan your port allocation during commissioning based on connected device power requirements.
Q: Does the NETWAY4EWP support VLAN tagging?
A: Yes. The NETWAY4EWP is a managed Layer 2 switch and supports 802.1Q VLAN tagging, allowing you to segment traffic by camera, access control, or building system—useful for isolating video streams from lower-priority data.
Q: What SFP modules are compatible with the fiber uplink?
A: The NETWAY4EWP accepts any standard 1000BASE-SX or 1000BASE-LX single-mode SFP transceiver. Single-mode fiber (9/125 µm) extends range to 10 km or more, depending on module choice. Consult the full datasheet or contact Altronix technical support for certified module part numbers if required by your integrator program.
Q: How does the battery charger function work?
A: The integrated charger outputs 48VDC to charge external battery backup systems. The switch itself draws AC mains power; during an AC outage, the battery system takes over to supply the charger input and keep the switch powered. This design enables mission-critical network uptime without dedicated UPS hardware at the switch location.
Q: Is the NETWAY4EWP compatible with Altronix LINQ monitoring?
A: Yes. The NETWAY4EWP integrates natively with Altronix LINQ management, allowing centralized monitoring of port status, power draw, battery health, and enclosure temperature across distributed deployments.
Q: Does the switch support port mirroring for packet capture?
A: Yes. As a managed switch, the NETWAY4EWP supports port mirroring (SPAN), allowing you to mirror traffic from one or more ports to a dedicated analysis port for troubleshooting or compliance recording.
Eden PhillipsPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Altronix NETWAY4EWP represents a pragmatic engineering choice for outdoor security and building automation networks where you need to avoid costly fiber backbone infrastructure, eliminate single points of failure in switch deployments, and guarantee power delivery continuity during utility interruptions. The 120W integrated power supply with battery charger function and the field-configurable Hi-PoE mode (2x 60W per port) solve real problems: you can deploy a single hardware SKU across different site topologies without rotation, and you avoid the cost and complexity of separate power injectors or external UPS modules at remote switch locations.
Technical Highlights:
- Modular Board Architecture: Separate switch and power supply circuit boards mean a technician in the field can swap a failed component in minutes without removing the entire unit from its outdoor enclosure—mean-time-to-repair drops from hours to single-digit minutes, and total cost of ownership improves significantly on multi-year deployments.
- 1G SFP Fiber Uplink (10 km Range): Single-mode fiber sidesteps copper cable conduit runs, eliminates ground-loop noise in electrically noisy industrial or manufacturing environments, and provides EMI immunity. You avoid the expense and logistical headache of running new copper across rooftops or through existing cable trays.
- NEMA 4/4X IP66 Enclosure (-40°C to +60°C): Stainless steel or epoxy-coated construction tolerates coastal salt spray, industrial washdown, rain, dust, and temperature extremes. Deploy directly to outdoor walls or rooftops without shelter or thermostatic fan kits—no surprises in year two when condensation or salt corrosion degrades unrated equipment.
- Integrated 48VDC Battery Charger: Ties the switch directly to existing 48VDC battery backup systems or UPS hardware, ensuring continuous operation during AC mains failure. This design is critical for access control and building life-safety systems that cannot tolerate network downtime.
Deployment Considerations:
- Plan port power allocation during commissioning. The default 4-port PoE/PoE+ mode shares 120W; high-power PTZ cameras or dual access point stacks may exceed budget. The Hi-PoE field configuration (2x 60W) locks two ports at elevated power but constrains the other two—this trade-off must match your endpoint mix.
- SFP transceiver selection is critical for fiber runs. Single-mode fiber (1000BASE-LX) extends to 10 km; multimode (1000BASE-SX) is shorter but cheaper. Verify transceiver certification with Altronix or your integrator program before field deployment.
- The managed switch feature (VLAN, STP, port mirroring) is optional to configure but valuable. Most deployments benefit from at least basic VLAN isolation to segregate video traffic from access control or intercom data during congestion or security incident response.
The NETWAY4EWP is purpose-built for outdoor satellite switch deployments in security networks where power-delivery redundancy, long-distance fiber backbone connectivity, and minimal field service overhead matter more than entry-level cost. It fits integrator fleets that standardize on Altronix power infrastructure and LINQ management across multiple sites.
