Allied Telesis GS970M/18PS-R-10 vs Ubiquiti USW-16-POE: Specification Comparison
Both the Allied Telesis AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 and the Ubiquiti USW-16-POE are 1U rack-mount, 16-port Gigabit PoE+ switches with dual SFP uplinks, placing them squarely in the same purchase tier for installers deploying IP cameras, access control readers, and wireless access points at the edge. This comparison examines PoE power delivery and budget, switching performance, and physical/environmental specifications to help integrators and IT buyers choose the right platform for their deployment density and power requirements.
In This Guide
- Which switch delivers more PoE power capacity for cameras and access points?
- How do the two switches compare on forwarding capacity and throughput?
- How do the two switches differ in physical build, environmental ratings, and management features?
- Which should you choose: the GS970M/18PS-R-10 or the USW-16-POE?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
Which switch delivers more PoE power capacity for cameras and access points?
The AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 carries a 247W total PoE budget across its 16 copper ports, supporting all 16 ports simultaneously at 15W (PoE, 802.3af class) or up to 8 ports at the full 30W PoE+ (802.3at) ceiling. Its maximum system power consumption is 330W, which accounts for both switching circuitry and full PoE output load.
The USW-16-POE specifies a 42W total PoE budget across its 16 GbE ports, with PoE+ (802.3at) support noted. Its internal power supply is rated 60W, and idle draw (excluding PoE output) is 18W. The 42W budget limits simultaneous powered device capacity significantly — at 15W per port it can feed approximately two to three devices before the budget is exhausted; the manufacturer's own card copy references powering '8–10 access points,' which is inconsistent with the 42W spec at any realistic per-port draw and should be verified against the full datasheet before deployment planning.
For installations where every port must power a device — typical in camera-dense surveillance deployments — the AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10's 247W budget is the decisive differentiator. The USW-16-POE's 42W budget is suited to very light-load or mixed-mode scenarios where most ports carry non-powered devices.
How do the two switches compare on forwarding capacity and throughput?
Both switches are nearly identical in raw switching capacity: the AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 specifies a 36 Gbps switching fabric and 26.8 Mpps forwarding rate. The USW-16-POE specifies a 36 Gbps switching capacity and 27 Mpps forwarding rate, with an additional figure of 18 Gbps non-blocking throughput called out separately.
At this port count (16×1G copper + 2×SFP), a 36 Gbps fabric is consistent with a fully wire-rate, non-blocking architecture — 18 ports × 2 Gbps (full duplex) = 36 Gbps theoretical maximum. The forwarding rates (26.8 vs 27 Mpps) are effectively equivalent for practical traffic profiles. Neither switch introduces a forwarding bottleneck for standard Gigabit edge traffic.
Throughput performance is a wash between these two products. Buyers should not use switching fabric or forwarding rate as a differentiator here; both are adequately specified for their port count.
How do the two switches differ in physical build, environmental ratings, and management features?
The AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 measures 341 × 231 × 44 mm and weighs 4.35 kg (9.6 lb). Noise output is specified at 34 dBA, indicating active cooling. Maximum heat dissipation is 169 BTU/hr. Housing color is listed as white. Operating temperature and humidity specifications are not provided in the supplied spec set.
The USW-16-POE measures 442 × 200 × 44 mm — wider but shallower — and weighs 2.8 kg (6.2 lb) without mounting brackets, making it significantly lighter. Enclosure material is specified as SGCC steel. Operating temperature is specified at −5 to 40°C (23 to 104°F). No acoustic noise figure is provided for the USW-16-POE. The USW-16-POE is noted as NDAA compliant with certifications including CE, FCC, and IC listed. NDAA compliance status is not stated in the AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 spec set provided.
Management is described as 'Ethernet' for the USW-16-POE, consistent with Ubiquiti's UniFi controller ecosystem. No equivalent management platform detail is provided in the AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 spec set supplied, though Allied Telesis switches typically support web GUI and CLI management — buyers should consult the full datasheet. VLAN support of 1,000 VLANs is specified for the USW-16-POE; no VLAN count is provided for the AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 in the supplied specs.
Which should you choose: the GS970M/18PS-R-10 or the USW-16-POE?
Our take: The AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 is the stronger choice when every port must actively power a device — its 247W PoE budget is nearly six times the USW-16-POE's stated 42W, enabling all 16 ports at 15W or 8 ports at full 30W simultaneously, versus the USW-16-POE's budget which is exhausted at fewer than three 15W devices. Switching performance is effectively equal at 36 Gbps / ~27 Mpps on both units. The USW-16-POE is lighter (2.8 kg vs 4.35 kg), carries an explicit NDAA compliance designation, an operating temperature rating of −5 to 40°C, and integrates with the UniFi management ecosystem — advantages for government-sensitive procurement or sites already standardized on Ubiquiti. Choose the AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 for camera-dense or full-port PoE surveillance deployments; consider the USW-16-POE only where NDAA compliance or UniFi platform continuity outweighs power budget requirements.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | Allied Telesis GS970M/18PS-R-10 | Ubiquiti USW-16-POE |
|---|---|---|
| Copper PoE Ports | 16 × 10/100/1000T RJ-45 | 16 × Gigabit RJ-45 |
| SFP Uplink Ports | 2 × 100/1000X SFP | 2 × SFP |
| Total Ports | 18 | 18 |
| PoE Standard | PoE+ (802.3at) | PoE+ (802.3at) |
| Total PoE Power Budget | 247W | 42W |
| Max PoE per Port | 30W (PoE+) | Not specified in supplied specs |
| Switching Fabric | 36 Gbps | 36 Gbps |
| Forwarding Rate | 26.8 Mpps | 27 Mpps |
| Non-Blocking Throughput | — | 18 Gbps |
| VLAN Support | — | 1,000 VLANs |
| Max Power Consumption (system) | 330W | 60W (PSU rating); 18W idle excl. PoE |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 341 × 231 × 44 mm | 442 × 200 × 44 mm |
| Weight | 4.35 kg (9.6 lb) | 2.8 kg (6.2 lb) w/o brackets |
| Noise | 34 dBA | — |
| Operating Temperature | — | −5 to 40°C (23 to 104°F) |
| NDAA Compliant | — | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the GS970M/18PS-R-10 or the USW-16-POE?
The AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 is the stronger choice when every port must actively power a device — its 247W PoE budget is nearly six times the USW-16-POE's stated 42W, enabling all 16 ports at 15W or 8 ports at full 30W simultaneously, versus the USW-16-POE's budget which is exhausted at fewer than three 15W devices. Switching performance is effectively equal at 36 Gbps / ~27 Mpps on both units. The USW-16-POE is lighter (2.8 kg vs 4.35 kg), carries an explicit NDAA compliance designation, an operating temperature rating of −5 to 40°C, and integrates with the UniFi management ecosystem — advantages for government-sensitive procurement or sites already standardized on Ubiquiti. Choose the AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 for camera-dense or full-port PoE surveillance deployments; consider the USW-16-POE only where NDAA compliance or UniFi platform continuity outweighs power budget requirements.
Can the USW-16-POE power 16 IP cameras simultaneously?
Based on the specified 42W total PoE budget, the USW-16-POE cannot simultaneously power 16 cameras at any typical per-camera draw. A standard 802.3af camera at 12.95W would exhaust the 42W budget at approximately three ports. The AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10, with its 247W budget, can support all 16 ports at 15W concurrently. Buyers should verify the USW-16-POE's full datasheet if the card copy figure of '8–10 access points' is relevant to their use case, as it is not reconcilable with the 42W spec at face value.
Is either switch NDAA compliant for government or federal installations?
The USW-16-POE is listed as NDAA compliant in the provided specifications. NDAA compliance status is not stated in the AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 specifications supplied; buyers with NDAA requirements should request written confirmation from Allied Telesis or their distributor before specifying that unit.
Which switch is better suited for a multi-building fiber backbone deployment?
Both switches provide two SFP uplink ports for fiber backbone aggregation, so either can serve as an edge leaf in a multi-building topology. The choice between them at the uplink level is identical based on available specs. The decision should instead be driven by PoE budget at the edge (AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 at 247W for device-dense IDF closets) or management platform fit (USW-16-POE for existing UniFi infrastructure).
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