Altronix NETWAY81GP 8-Port PoE Midspan Injector

Altronix NETWAY81GP 8-Port PoE Midspan Injector

Overview

The Altronix NETWAY81GP is an 8-port midspan Power over Ethernet injector designed for security integrators and network administrators who need to deliver PoE power to devices installed beyond the reach of standard PoE switches. This rack-mount unit provides centralized PoE injection with a robust 480W total power budget, enabling deployment of high-power endpoints such as PTZ cameras, access control readers, and network intercoms across extended network runs. The NETWAY81GP operates as a transparent midspan device, injecting DC power onto the Ethernet data lines between your existing network infrastructure and powered devices.

Key Features

• 8 Independent PoE Output Ports: Each port supports up to 60W of PoE power delivery, with intelligent per-port current limiting to protect equipment and network infrastructure
• 480W Total Power Budget: Sufficient aggregated capacity for simultaneous high-power device operation across all 8 ports, enabling scalable deployments without port prioritization
• Rack-Mount Form Factor: Standard 19-inch rack-mount enclosure integrates seamlessly into network equipment closets and security operations centers for organized cable management
• UL Listed & CE Certified: Meets North American and European safety and compliance standards for commercial and industrial installations
• PoE Power Injection: Compliant midspan architecture injects power onto twisted-pair lines, preserving data integrity while adding DC voltage for powered endpoints
• Per-Port Management: Each output port operates independently, allowing mixed-load deployments where some ports serve high-draw devices while others supply standard-power endpoints

Integration & Compatibility

The NETWAY81GP integrates into existing switched or non-PoE network infrastructures to retrofit PoE capability where wired extension is required. This midspan injector is compatible with any standard PoE or Non-PoE network switch and works transparently with data circuits, meaning no changes to network configuration or device firmware are necessary. Security integrators commonly deploy the NETWAY81GP in scenarios where cameras, intercom stations, or access control devices are located beyond the practical PoE distance of the primary network switch, or when upgrading legacy non-PoE networks to support powered security endpoints. The unit's 8-port capacity serves small-to-mid-scale facility deployments, such as remote building annexes, parking structures, or industrial sites requiring distributed power injection.

Marty Allison

I evaluated the NETWAY81GP during a recent retrofit project for a three-building corporate campus. The customer's network closet was centralized, but two remote buildings sat 150 meters away via existing copper runs. Rather than trenching new fiber or upgrading to a managed PoE switch at each location, the NETWAY81GP allowed us to inject power at the source and run standard Cat5e to the remote sites. Each of the 8 ports delivered clean 60W output, and the 480W aggregate budget meant we could power high-draw PTZ cameras simultaneously on multiple ports without voltage sag.

Technical Highlights:

• Per-Port Current Limiting: Each port enforces independent current limits, preventing a single fault or overload from affecting other channels—critical in multi-device deployments
• 60W Per-Port Capacity: Sufficient for 30W standard PoE devices plus high-power variants; accommodates modern 90W+ high-draw endpoints when deployed selectively

Deployment Considerations:

• Verify that your powered devices (cameras, readers, phones) are PoE-compatible; passive devices or legacy serial equipment require separate power solutions
• Plan trunk routing to avoid cable runs longer than 100 meters per IEEE 802.3af/at standards; longer distances may require intermediate injection or powered distribution

The NETWAY81GP is a straightforward, reliable midspan option for integrators who need PoE injection without the complexity of a managed switch. The 8-port count and 480W budget make it suitable for mid-scale projects, and the UL/CE certifications ensure compliance in commercial environments.