Altronix NETWAYSP8WPX Managed PoE Switch with Fiber Uplink
Overview
The Altronix NETWAYSP8WPX is a hardened, managed Ethernet switch purpose-built for outdoor security and access control deployments. Housed in a NEMA 4/4X, IP66-rated enclosure, the NETWAYSP8WPX combines dual 1 Gigabit fiber SFP uplink ports with a flexible combination of PoE and PoE+ downlink ports, delivering reliable network connectivity and power distribution in demanding field environments. The integrated 120W hardened power supply with battery charger board enables seamless transition to backup power during mains failure.
This is a fully managed switch offering LINQ supervisory integration for centralized monitoring and configuration across distributed security installations. The NETWAYSP8WPX supports configurable port assignments, allowing you to allocate up to 2 ports as 60W Hi-PoE outputs while reserving 6 ports as standard 10/100 PoE/PoE+ delivery. This flexibility addresses mixed-load security deployments combining high-power devices (pan-tilt-zoom cameras, access control readers) with standard IP cameras and door stations.
Key Features
- Dual 1G Fiber SFP Uplinks: Two independent 1 Gigabit SFP ports eliminate single-point-of-failure network ingress and enable extended-distance fiber backbone connectivity up to 2 km or greater depending on transceiver choice.
- Flexible PoE Port Configuration: 8 total Ethernet ports deployable as 2x 60W Hi-PoE + 6x PoE/PoE+ or fully PoE/PoE+ across all downlink ports, accommodating both legacy standard-power and emerging Hi-PoE camera and access control equipment.
- Managed Switch Architecture: Full Layer 2 management with VLAN, QoS, and port mirroring control for network segmentation and traffic prioritization in multi-tenant or multi-application security environments.
- LINQ Integration: Native supervisory connectivity enables remote switch health monitoring, port statistics, and configuration push from centralized LINQ hubs without additional gateways.
- 120W Hardened Power Supply & Battery Charger: Integrated 120W supply board includes dedicated battery charging circuit for 12VDC or 24VDC auxiliary backup; supports sealed lead-acid or gel-cell batteries mounted within the enclosure.
- NEMA 4/4X IP66 Outdoor Enclosure: Stainless-steel or powder-coated steel construction rated for direct outdoor wall or pole mounting; conformal-coated internal PCBs and potted connectors withstand temperature extremes, UV, salt spray, and moisture ingress.
- Field-Proven Thermal Management: Passive cooling via internal fins and ventilation paths; operating temperature range supports North American and international climates without active cooling failure points.
- DIN-Rail Ready: Switch and supply boards mount directly to standard 35mm DIN rail within the enclosure; modular architecture enables future expansion or component swap in the field.
Integration & Compatibility
The NETWAYSP8WPX integrates with Altronix LINQ supervisory platforms for centralized edge-switch management across regional or multi-site deployments. Its managed Ethernet foundation supports industry-standard IP cameras (Axis, Hikvision, Uniview), access control readers (HID, Salto, Assa Abloy), and intercoms operating at 802.3at (30W) or 802.3bt (60W+) power levels. The dual fiber SFP uplinks accommodate single-mode or multimode transceivers, enabling either redundant Gigabit copper links or long-haul fiber backbone integration to building distribution infrastructure.
Eden PhillipsPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
I've specified the Altronix NETWAYSP8WPX on multiple outdoor access control and video surveillance projects. This switch bridges a critical gap between small unmanaged PoE injectors and enterprise-class managed switches—it delivers real management capability, fiber uplink redundancy, and Hi-PoE power in a hardened form factor that actually survives outdoor mounting without thermal or reliability creep.
Technical Highlights:
- Dual Fiber SFP Flexibility: The two independent 1G SFP uplinks let you build either active-active or active-standby core uplinks without proprietary stacking protocols. Match your transceiver choice to backbone distance and budget—SM fiber for 10+ km runs, MM for shorter campus links.
- 60W Hi-PoE on Demand: Configurable 60W ports handle Axis pan-tilt-zoom cameras and high-current access control readers without external injectors. The remaining 6 ports deliver standard 15W or 30W PoE/PoE+ for entry cameras and door stations from a single 120W budget.
- LINQ Supervision Native: No separate gateway or polling. Switch health, port errors, and VLAN membership sync directly to your LINQ hub for real-time alerting if a camera link drops or power draw spikes.
Deployment Considerations:
- Plan your Hi-PoE allocation upfront; switching between 60W and standard PoE ports requires a configuration reload, not a live toggle.
- Battery backup is a charger circuit—bring your own 12V or 24V sealed-cell battery; the board handles float charging and disconnect during mains loss.
- SFP transceiver compatibility: Verify your fiber backbone vendor's SFP module against Altronix's qualified transceiver list to avoid optical handshake delays or incompatibility.
For integrators deploying outdoor security infrastructure with mixed power demands and fiber backbone needs, the NETWAYSP8WPX eliminates the need to over-engineer single-location power supplies or daisy-chain multiple small switches. Specify it once, monitor it centrally via LINQ, and move on.
