Axis 5801-694 T8516 16 PoE+ Gigabit Network Switch
The Axis 5801-694 (T8516) is a managed network switch purpose-built for IP surveillance and security infrastructure. With 16 PoE+ ports delivering 30W per port and a combined 240W budget, this switch consolidates power and data distribution across a single cabling run — eliminating the need for separate injectors on mid-to-large camera deployments. Two combo SFP/RJ45 uplink ports provide flexible backbone connectivity to core network infrastructure, whether via standard gigabit copper or fiber links to remote buildings.
Key Features
- 16 PoE+ Ports (30W each, 240W total): IEEE 802.3at Type 2 Class 4 power delivery supports eight cameras running at full 30W simultaneously—enough for thermal imaging, heating/cooling, pan-tilt operation, or 4K edge recording. No separate power injectors needed, which simplifies installation and reduces single points of failure in the middle of long cable runs.
- 36 Gbps Non-Blocking Switching Fabric, 26.8 Mpps Throughput: Handles multiple simultaneous 4K video streams without packet loss or congestion. For reference, a single 4K@30fps H.265 stream consumes roughly 10–15 Mbps; this switch can sustain 40+ concurrent streams without lag. Real benefit: no buffering during simultaneous camera analytics processing or multi-stream recording to network video recorders.
- 2 Combo SFP/RJ45 Uplink Ports: Use standard gigabit RJ45 to an edge router or core switch, or switch one port to 1 Gbps SFP (1000BASE-SX/LX) for fiber backbone links across campuses. Eliminates vendor lock-in if you already have fiber runs.
- VLAN Support (Access + Private VLANs): Segment surveillance traffic from office data traffic without a separate core switch. Private VLANs isolate camera subnets further—critical for multi-tenant or compliance-heavy environments (healthcare, finance) where network separation is non-negotiable.
- QoS and Traffic Prioritization: Prioritize video streams over background network tasks. If someone starts a large file download on the office LAN, your camera feeds stay smooth. DHCP Snooping blocks rogue DHCP servers from disrupting camera network assignment.
- Enterprise Access Control (IEEE 802.1X, IP Filtering, ACL): Restricts which MAC addresses and IP ranges can connect to which ports. Prevents misconfigured or compromised devices from plugging into a camera port and flooding the network. HTTPS and SSH encryption protect the switch's web and CLI management interfaces from eavesdropping.
- Protocol Support (SNMP v1/v2c/v3, LLDP, RSTP/MSTP, NTP, IPv4/IPv6): Integrates with existing network monitoring and management systems—Nagios, Zabbix, or vendor-specific NOCs can auto-discover the switch and pull port health metrics. RSTP/MSTP enables redundant switching topologies if you're building a fault-tolerant network.
- 8K MAC Table, 9216-byte Jumbo Frame Support: Supports up to 8,000 learned MAC addresses (sufficient for networks with hundreds of cameras and access points). Jumbo frames reduce CPU overhead when transmitting large video packets.
- Industrial Durability (6 kV Surge Protection, Metal Chassis, 0–50°C Operating Range): All 18 ports (16 PoE + 2 combo) have 6 kV surge protection—critical in outdoor or multi-building deployments where lightning or power surges can destroy unprotected equipment. Metal casing dissipates heat naturally. Operating range of 0–50°C (32–122°F) covers most climate-controlled server rooms and outdoor weatherproof enclosures without additional cooling.
Integration and Compatibility
The T8516 works with any standard IP camera or powered edge device that accepts PoE+ (up to 30W). No proprietary software required—it's ONVIF-compatible via its SNMP and LLDP announcements, so it'll integrate with Axis, Hikvision, Uniview, or Hanwha camera systems. Management is browser-based (HTTP/HTTPS) or CLI (SSH). If you're running a Milestone, Genetec, or AxxonOne VMS, the switch integrates transparently; the VMS controls cameras, the switch handles network distribution.
What's in the Box
- 1x Axis T8516 Switch (5801-694)
- 1x Power Cord (100–240V AC, 50/60 Hz)
- 1x 19-inch Rack Mounting Kit
- 4x Rubber Feet
- 1x Installation Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can the 5801-694 power 16 cameras simultaneously at 30W each?
A: No. The switch has a total PoE budget of 240W. At 30W per port, you can power 8 cameras simultaneously at full draw. The remaining 8 ports share the leftover 0W. However, most IP cameras draw between 6–15W under normal operation, so real-world deployments often support 12–14 cameras. Check individual camera datasheets to calculate your actual power budget.
Q: What's the difference between the two uplink ports?
A: They are combo ports—each supports either an RJ45 gigabit connection OR an SFP module, but not both simultaneously. Use RJ45 to connect to your existing gigabit router or core switch. Use SFP if you have fiber runs (e.g., 1000BASE-LX for longer distances) to a separate building or data center.
Q: Does the 5801-694 require a dedicated management IP or DHCP?
A: The switch has a built-in DHCP server and can be configured to issue IP addresses to connected cameras automatically. Alternatively, you can configure it to act as a DHCP client and pull an IP from your network. Default access is via DHCP; no fixed IP required out of the box.
Q: Is the T8516 fanless?
A: The evidence does not specify whether the switch includes an internal fan. Contact the manufacturer or your distributor for thermal specifications if operating in hot environments (above 40°C).
Q: What's covered under the 5-year warranty?
A: The switch includes a 5-year manufacturer warranty. Terms and exclusions depend on your regional distributor. Confirm warranty coverage (parts, labor, shipping) with your vendor at purchase.
Q: Can I use this switch outdoors?
A: The T8516 is rated for indoor use (0–50°C operating range, 10–90% RH non-condensing). For outdoor or harsh environments, deploy it inside a weatherproof enclosure or seek an industrial-grade PoE switch designed for extended temperature ranges.
Eden PhillipsPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Axis 5801-694 strikes a practical balance between power delivery and switching capacity for surveillance-focused networks. The 240W PoE budget supports 8 cameras at 30W each simultaneously, or 12–14 typical cameras drawing 15–18W—meaningful for medium to large deployments without requiring separate power injectors or UPS complexity. The 36 Gbps switching fabric and 26.8 Mpps throughput handle multiple high-resolution video streams without bottlenecks, while the dual combo uplinks offer genuine flexibility: use RJ45 for existing gigabit copper runs or SFP for fiber links to separate buildings or rooftop camera arrays.
Technical Highlights:
- 240W PoE+ Budget: Supports 8 full-power (30W) cameras or roughly 12–14 typical cameras (15–18W draw). Eliminates the need for inline injectors, reducing installation points of failure.
- 36 Gbps Non-Blocking Fabric: Ensures no packet loss during simultaneous 4K streams or edge analytics processing. A typical 4K H.265 stream consumes 10–15 Mbps; this switch sustains 40+ streams without congestion.
- VLAN + Private VLAN + QoS: Isolates surveillance traffic from office data and prioritizes video during peak network usage. Critical for compliance-sensitive deployments (healthcare, financial institutions).
- IEEE 802.1X + ACL + HTTPS/SSH: Enforces port-level access control and encrypted management. Prevents unauthorized device attachment or management eavesdropping.
- 6 kV Surge Protection on All 18 Ports: Protects against lightning and power transients in multi-building or outdoor deployments. Metal chassis dissipates heat passively across 0–50°C operating range.
Deployment Considerations:
- The 240W budget is total, not per-port. Map your camera power draw in advance—thermal cameras, PTZs, and edge servers can easily exceed 20W each. Oversizing the switch avoids choking during peak load.
- Combo uplinks are not simultaneous: each combo port is either RJ45 or SFP, not both. Plan your backbone topology accordingly. If you need redundant uplinks, you'll need a separate external switch or star topology.
- DHCP Snooping and ACL tuning require hands-on configuration. If your team lacks network management experience, budget time for initial commissioning or engage a systems integrator.
Position the 5801-694 at the base of your camera network hierarchy—typically in a server rack or weatherproof enclosure near the main camera feeds. It's well-suited to enterprise surveillance systems, multi-building campuses, retail chains, and transportation hubs where reliable power delivery, traffic isolation, and centralized management are non-negotiable. Skip this if your deployment is under 4 cameras or runs on passive PoE (non-powered switches); overkill adds cost without benefit.
