Allied Telesis AT-x530L-28GPX-901 vs Allied Telesis GS970M/28PS-10: Specification Comparison
Both the Allied Telesis AT-x530L-28GPX-901 and the AT-GS970M/28PS-10 are 1U rack-mount, 24-port Gigabit PoE+ managed switches targeting IP surveillance, access control, and enterprise edge deployments. Each provides 24 RJ-45 copper PoE+ ports plus four SFP-based uplinks, making them direct cross-shop candidates for installers sizing a PoE infrastructure layer. The comparison centers on three dimensions that drive real purchasing decisions: PoE power budget and per-port capability, switching throughput and latency, and physical footprint with power and acoustic trade-offs.
In This Guide
- Which switch delivers more PoE headroom and higher per-port power for demanding devices?
- How do switching fabric capacity, forwarding rate, and port speed differ between the two switches?
- What are the trade-offs in chassis depth, power draw, and acoustic output between these two switches?
- Which should you choose: the AT-x530L-28GPX-901 or the GS970M/28PS-10?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
Which switch delivers more PoE headroom and higher per-port power for demanding devices?
The AT-x530L-28GPX-901 carries a 740 W PoE power budget across all 24 ports, supporting IEEE 802.3af (7.5 W), 802.3at (15.4 W), and 802.3bt Type 3 (30 W) per port simultaneously on all 24 ports. This means a fully loaded deployment of 24 × 30 W PoE+ devices draws 720 W, comfortably within budget.
The AT-GS970M/28PS-10 provides a 370 W total PoE budget. At 15 W per port it can power all 24 devices; at 30 W (PoE+) it is rated for a maximum of 12 simultaneous ports. Installers planning more than 12 high-draw cameras or access controllers must stage power allocation carefully on the GS970M/28PS-10.
Neither unit's spec sheet lists 802.3bt Type 4 (60 W or 90 W) support. The x530L's 2× stacking ports also enable budget aggregation across a stack, though per-unit PoE figures apply individually. The GS970M/28PS-10 spec sheet does not list stacking.
How do switching fabric capacity, forwarding rate, and port speed differ between the two switches?
The AT-x530L-28GPX-901 uses a 128 Gbps switching fabric with a 95.2 Mpps forwarding rate. Its four uplink ports are 1/10 Gigabit SFP+, enabling 10 GbE connections to core or aggregation switches. Measured latency is 3.98 µs at 1 Gbps and 1.63 µs at 10 Gbps.
The AT-GS970M/28PS-10 operates on a 56 Gbps switching fabric at 41.7 Mpps. Its four uplink ports are 100/1000X SFP, capped at 1 Gbps each. No latency figures appear in the provided spec sheet for the GS970M/28PS-10.
For high-density IP video deployments where NVR uplinks or inter-switch trunks require 10 GbE throughput, the x530L's SFP+ uplinks are a meaningful architectural advantage. The GS970M/28PS-10's 1 GbE SFP uplinks are adequate for lower-bandwidth or smaller-site deployments where aggregated camera bitrates remain within a 1 GbE ceiling.
What are the trade-offs in chassis depth, power draw, and acoustic output between these two switches?
Both switches are 1U rack-mount chassis with nearly identical widths (~440–441 mm) and identical heights (44 mm). The critical physical difference is depth: the AT-x530L-28GPX-901 measures 421 mm deep, while the AT-GS970M/28PS-10 is only 290 mm deep—131 mm shallower. In shallow-depth wall-mount enclosures or short-depth racks, the GS970M/28PS-10 has a clear fit advantage.
Maximum system power consumption reflects the larger PoE budget: the x530L draws up to 890 W versus 520 W for the GS970M/28PS-10. Maximum heat dissipation follows the same ratio—3,037 BTU/hr for the x530L versus 127 BTU/hr for the GS970M/28PS-10—a substantial difference that affects rack thermal planning and HVAC sizing.
Acoustically, the GS970M/28PS-10 is rated at 33 dBA, while the x530L is rated at 42 dBA (marked with an asterisk in the source data). A 9 dB difference is perceptible in noise-sensitive environments such as office wiring closets or courtroom AV racks. The x530L also supports stacking via its two dedicated stacking ports; the GS970M/28PS-10 spec sheet lists no stacking capability.
Which should you choose: the AT-x530L-28GPX-901 or the GS970M/28PS-10?
Our take: The AT-x530L-28GPX-901 is the stronger choice when a deployment demands maximum PoE headroom, 10 GbE uplinks, or multi-switch stacking. Its 740 W PoE budget is exactly double the GS970M/28PS-10's 370 W, enabling all 24 ports to run at full 30 W PoE+ simultaneously where the GS970M/28PS-10 caps out at 12 ports at that rate. Its 128 Gbps fabric and 10 GbE SFP+ uplinks dwarf the GS970M/28PS-10's 56 Gbps fabric and 1 GbE SFP uplinks, future-proofing aggregation bandwidth. However, the AT-GS970M/28PS-10 is the pragmatic fit for shallow-depth rack enclosures (290 mm vs. 421 mm), acoustically sensitive spaces (33 dBA vs. 42 dBA), or smaller sites where 370 W PoE and 1 GbE uplinks are sufficient—and where its 370 W lower maximum power draw simplifies electrical circuit planning. Platform qualifier: specify the x530L for enterprise or mid-large surveillance deployments; specify the GS970M/28PS-10 for SMB or space-constrained installations.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | Allied Telesis AT-x530L-28GPX-901 | Allied Telesis GS970M/28PS-10 |
|---|---|---|
| 10/100/1000T Copper Ports | 24 | 24 |
| SFP Uplink Ports | 4 × 1/10G SFP+ | 4 × 100/1000X SFP |
| Stacking Ports | 2 (dedicated) | — |
| PoE-Enabled Ports | 24 | 24 |
| Max PoE Power Budget | 740 W | 370 W |
| Max PoE+ (30W) Simultaneous Ports | 24 | 12 |
| Switching Fabric | 128 Gbps | 56 Gbps |
| Forwarding Rate | 95.2 Mpps | 41.7 Mpps |
| Latency at 1 Gbps | 3.98 µs | Not specified |
| Latency at 10 Gbps | 1.63 µs | Not specified |
| Chassis Dimensions (W×D×H mm) | 441 × 421 × 44 | 440 × 290 × 44 |
| Unpackaged Weight | 6.2 kg (13.67 lb) | 6.35 kg (14.0 lb) |
| Max Power Consumption | 890 W | 520 W |
| Max Heat Dissipation | 3,037 BTU/hr | 127 BTU/hr |
| Noise Level | 42 dBA | 33 dBA |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the AT-x530L-28GPX-901 or the GS970M/28PS-10?
The AT-x530L-28GPX-901 is the stronger choice when a deployment demands maximum PoE headroom, 10 GbE uplinks, or multi-switch stacking. Its 740 W PoE budget is exactly double the GS970M/28PS-10's 370 W, enabling all 24 ports to run at full 30 W PoE+ simultaneously where the GS970M/28PS-10 caps out at 12 ports at that rate. Its 128 Gbps fabric and 10 GbE SFP+ uplinks dwarf the GS970M/28PS-10's 56 Gbps fabric and 1 GbE SFP uplinks, future-proofing aggregation bandwidth. However, the AT-GS970M/28PS-10 is the pragmatic fit for shallow-depth rack enclosures (290 mm vs. 421 mm), acoustically sensitive spaces (33 dBA vs. 42 dBA), or smaller sites where 370 W PoE and 1 GbE uplinks are sufficient—and where its 370 W lower maximum power draw simplifies electrical circuit planning. Platform qualifier: specify the x530L for enterprise or mid-large surveillance deployments; specify the GS970M/28PS-10 for SMB or space-constrained installations.
Is the AT-x530L-28GPX-901 or the GS970M/28PS-10 better for larger surveillance deployments with high-power cameras?
The AT-x530L-28GPX-901 is better suited for larger deployments. Its 740 W PoE budget supports all 24 ports at 30 W simultaneously, whereas the GS970M/28PS-10's 370 W budget limits full 30 W PoE+ operation to a maximum of 12 ports at once. Additionally, the x530L's 10 GbE SFP+ uplinks can sustain the higher aggregated bitrates that come with dense, high-resolution camera arrays.
Can either switch fit in a shallow-depth or wall-mount rack enclosure?
The AT-GS970M/28PS-10 is the better fit for shallow enclosures at 290 mm depth. The AT-x530L-28GPX-901 requires 421 mm of usable rack depth—131 mm more. Both are standard 1U height (44 mm) and similar widths (~440 mm), so only depth is the differentiator for enclosure selection.
Do both switches support stacking, and how does that affect scalability?
Only the AT-x530L-28GPX-901 lists stacking support, via two dedicated stacking ports (noted with an asterisk in the specification data). The AT-GS970M/28PS-10 specification sheet does not list any stacking capability. Stacking on the x530L allows multiple units to be managed as a single logical switch, which simplifies administration and expands port count in growing deployments.
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