Altronix NETWAY4EWPX 4-Port Managed PoE+ Switch
Overview
The Altronix NETWAY4EWPX is a ruggedized, managed Ethernet switch purpose-built for outdoor security and network infrastructure deployments. Housed in a NEMA 4/4X, IP66-rated enclosure, this unit integrates a single 1 Gigabit fiber SFP port with four Gigabit copper PoE/PoE+ ports, delivering both network flexibility and powered device support in a single hardened package. The NETWAY4EWPX accommodates 2×60W Hi-PoE configuration on selected ports while maintaining a robust 120W internal power supply with integrated battery charger capability—ideal for mission-critical surveillance and access control systems that demand outdoor resilience.
Key Features
- 1 Gigabit Fiber SFP Port: Single 1G fiber uplink for extended-distance connectivity and optical isolation in electrically noisy environments. Fiber eliminates ground loop hum in installations where camera buildings sit far apart, and it protects against voltage surges on long copper runs—a genuine advantage on sprawling industrial or campus sites.
- 4 Gigabit Copper PoE/PoE+ Ports: All four ports support 10/100/1000 Mbps with configurable PoE and PoE+ output for powered endpoints. Each port delivers sufficient current to run standard megapixel IP cameras, access points, and IoT sensors without a separate power supply.
- Dual 60W Hi-PoE Capable: Two ports configurable for 60W Hi-Power over Ethernet delivery, supporting high-draw devices such as PTZ cameras, exterior illuminators, and powered access controllers. This eliminates the need for auxiliary power supplies on these two devices—a cable-run simplification that reduces installation labor and field troubleshooting.
- 120W Internal Power Supply: Industrial-grade power supply rated for continuous operation in extreme conditions. The 120W budget allows simultaneous operation of two 60W devices plus two standard PoE+ ports without thermal derating or power negotiation conflicts.
- Integrated Battery Charger: Built-in charger supports optional Altronix backup battery modules for continued operation during mains power loss. Relevant for sites where network continuity during brief outages—even 15–30 minutes—prevents cascading alarms or missed event recording.
- NEMA 4/4X IP66 Enclosure: Sealed outdoor housing protects against dust, rain, salt spray, and temperature extremes. IP66 means direct rain and spray won't penetrate, but skip this unit if you need submersion capability (IP67 or higher). The metal enclosure also provides EMI shielding in installations near high-voltage equipment or RF broadcast.
- Managed Switch Architecture: Full Layer 2+ switching with VLAN, QoS, and redundancy features for professional network segmentation. Critical for multi-tenant or security-focused network architectures where traffic separation is mandatory—for example, isolating surveillance traffic from guest Wi-Fi or segregating access control from general IT.
- LINQ Integration: Compatible with Altronix power management and supervision ecosystem for centralized monitoring. LINQ visibility means you can track power draw, port status, and battery health from a remote dashboard—real value on distributed camera networks where field inspection is costly.
- Per-Port Power Configuration: Operators can optimize PoE vs. Hi-PoE allocation on a per-port basis based on connected device requirements. Avoids overprovisioning power to devices that don't need it, leaving headroom for high-current draws elsewhere.
- Professional-Grade Thermal Management: Designed for reliable operation across extended temperature ranges typical of outdoor installations. The sealed enclosure plus internal heat dissipation supports full-load operation in heat and cold without power throttling.
Integration and Compatibility
The NETWAY4EWPX integrates seamlessly into security integrator deployments using LINQ supervision and power management. The fiber SFP port enables long-distance backbone connectivity for distributed IP camera networks, while the four PoE+ copper ports support standard IP cameras, access points, and IoT sensors. The dual Hi-PoE capability on configurable ports allows a single NETWAY4EWPX unit to power two high-current devices simultaneously—for example, a pan-tilt-zoom camera and an exterior illuminator—without requiring additional power supplies or field rewiring.
The integrated battery charger connects to optional Altronix backup battery modules, enabling UPS-like operation for systems requiring continuity during mains power interruption. Installers benefit from the compact switch board design mounted directly within the larger NEMA 4/4X enclosure, minimizing field assembly complexity and reducing installation time. The managed switch feature set supports enterprise network policies including VLAN isolation, spanning tree redundancy, and QoS traffic prioritization—critical for multi-tenant or security-focused network architectures where traffic separation is mandatory.
Deployment Scenarios
The NETWAY4EWPX is well-suited for outdoor perimeter surveillance rings, remote building networks, and industrial automation hubs where power and network resilience are non-negotiable. A typical scenario: a campus security deployment with two PTZ turrets and two fixed dome cameras spread across a distant building. The NETWAY4EWPX's dual Hi-PoE ports feed the PTZ units, while the two standard PoE+ ports power the dome cameras. The fiber SFP connects back to the main control room 300+ meters away with zero ground loop hum. A battery module keeps the switch and cameras online for 15 minutes during a brief outage—long enough for security personnel to respond or for a generator to spin up. LINQ visibility alerts operations if battery voltage drops or a port fails.
When to Choose a Different Model
If your deployment requires more than four powered ports or more than two Hi-PoE channels, evaluate higher-port-count variants within the Altronix power supply and switching family. If you need full submersion (pond-side, wet-wash environments), specify IP67 enclosure alternatives. If fiber uplink is unnecessary and you want cost reduction, non-managed PoE-only switches in the same family may be suitable, but you'll lose VLAN and QoS control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can the NETWAY4EWPX power a PTZ camera and an LED illuminator simultaneously on the Hi-PoE ports?
A: Yes. The unit supports dual 60W Hi-PoE on two configurable ports, so you can deliver 60W to a PTZ unit and 60W to an illuminator at the same time. Total switch power budget is 120W, so both high-draw devices plus two standard PoE+ devices can operate concurrently without power negotiation.
Q: What is the maximum distance the fiber SFP port can span?
A: Gigabit SFP transceivers typically support 300m on multimode fiber and 10km+ on singlemode fiber. The exact distance depends on the transceiver model and fiber type deployed. Consult your fiber specification or transceiver datasheet.
Q: Does the NETWAY4EWPX support VLAN isolation between camera traffic and access control?
A: Yes. The unit features full Layer 2+ managed switching with VLAN support, allowing you to segment traffic by port or protocol. This is critical for multi-tenant or high-security sites where network isolation is required.
Q: What backup battery modules are compatible with the integrated charger?
A: The NETWAY4EWPX's integrated charger is designed to work with Altronix backup battery modules. Consult Altronix documentation or contact your supplier for compatible battery module part numbers and run-time estimates for your specific load.
Q: Is the NETWAY4EWPX rated for salt-spray environments (coastal installations)?
A: Yes. The NEMA 4/4X, IP66-rated stainless steel enclosure is designed to resist salt spray, rain, dust, and thermal extremes. Confirm that mounting hardware and fiber connectors used on site are also salt-spray rated if the switch is mounted in direct coastal spray.
Q: Can I monitor the NETWAY4EWPX's power and port status remotely?
A: Yes. The unit integrates with the Altronix LINQ power management and supervision ecosystem, providing centralized monitoring of power draw, port health, and battery status from a remote dashboard. This is particularly valuable on distributed networks where field inspection is costly.
Eden PhillipsPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
I evaluated the NETWAY4EWPX during planning for a campus security refresh covering three remote buildings and two perimeter rings. The combination of dual 60W Hi-PoE ports, fiber uplink, and integrated battery charging solved a multi-site infrastructure challenge that would have otherwise required three separate power supplies and a standalone UPS module.
Technical Highlights:
- 120W Total Power Budget: Supports two simultaneous 60W Hi-PoE draws (PTZ + illuminator) plus two standard PoE+ ports. Eliminates auxiliary power supplies on high-draw endpoints and simplifies cable routing by concentrating power delivery into a single hardened unit.
- 1G Fiber SFP + 4x Gigabit Copper: Fiber backbone spans 300+ meters between buildings without ground loop hum or voltage surge risk on long runs. The four copper PoE+ ports handle standard cameras and IoT devices at each remote site.
- NEMA 4/4X IP66 Enclosure: Direct rain, salt spray, and dust don't penetrate. The sealed metal enclosure also shielded RF interference from nearby transmitters—a real problem on one of our candidate sites near a broadcast tower.
- Integrated Battery Charger: Connection to Altronix backup battery modules delivers 15–30 minutes of continued network operation during brief outages. Prevents cascading alarms and maintains event recording until generator spin-up or mains restoration.
- LINQ Supervision: Remote visibility into power draw, port status, and battery health. On a distributed multi-building network, this eliminates routine site visits just to verify 'is power still flowing to that remote switch?'
Deployment Considerations:
- Power Budget Math: The 120W total is hard-limited. If you plan dual 60W Hi-PoE plus four standard PoE+ (typically 15–25W each), you may exceed budget under peak load. Plan device power draws carefully, or accept that one or two standard ports will operate at lower power during dual Hi-PoE use.
- Fiber Transceiver Cost: The SFP port is media-agnostic, but you must source and pay for a Gigabit SFP transceiver (multimode or singlemode). Factor ~$50–150 per transceiver into project cost.
- VLAN Overhead on Small Networks: If your site is simple (2–3 cameras, no multi-tenant isolation), the managed switch's Layer 2+ complexity is overkill. A simple unmanaged PoE+ injector may be cheaper. Use NETWAY4EWPX when traffic isolation or redundancy (spanning tree) is a genuine requirement.
- Temperature Range: The enclosure is rated for extended operating temperatures typical of outdoor sites. Verify your specific site's extremes (desert heat, high-altitude cold) against the datasheet.
Real-World Positioning: Deploy the NETWAY4EWPX when you have two or more high-power endpoints (PTZ + illuminator, or dual access controllers) spread across a site where fiber backbone connectivity and outdoor resilience are non-negotiable. If your site is simple—one or two fixed dome cameras on a single building—a smaller, cheaper PoE+ injector or switch is sufficient. The NETWAY4EWPX earns its cost when network isolation, battery backup, and remote supervision drive ROI on larger, geographically dispersed installations.
