Allied Telesis GS970M/18PS-R-10 vs Vivotek GEL-205A-260: Specification Comparison
Both the Allied Telesis AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 and the Vivotek AW-GEL-205A-260 are managed 16-port Gigabit PoE switches targeting IP surveillance and access-point deployments. The Allied Telesis unit is an 18-port switch (16 PoE + 2 SFP) with a 247 W budget and a published forwarding rate, while the Vivotek unit is a 20-port switch (16 PoE + 2 RJ45 + 2 SFP) with a 260 W budget that includes four 90 W IEEE 802.3bt ports. This comparison evaluates PoE power architecture, switching performance, and management/physical characteristics.
In This Guide
- Which switch delivers more flexible and higher PoE power per port?
- How do switching fabric, forwarding rate, and Layer 2 management features compare?
- How do the physical form factor, power draw, noise, and environmental ratings differ?
- Which should you choose: the GS970M/18PS-R-10 or the GEL-205A-260?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
Which switch delivers more flexible and higher PoE power per port?
The AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 carries a 247 W total PoE budget across 16 ports, supporting all 16 at 15 W (802.3af class) or 8 at the full 30 W (802.3at/PoE+). The maximum per-port delivery is 30 W; the 802.3bt (PoE++) standard is not listed in its specifications.
The AW-GEL-205A-260 carries a 260 W total PoE budget. Its architecture is asymmetric: ports 1–4 deliver up to 90 W each under IEEE 802.3bt, while ports 5–16 deliver up to 30 W each under 802.3at. For installations that include high-draw devices such as pan-tilt-zoom cameras, access-control panels, or dual-radio Wi-Fi 6 access points drawing 60–90 W, the Vivotek's four 802.3bt ports provide a capability the Allied Telesis spec sheet does not show. The Vivotek also specifies 4 kV surge protection per PoE port; the Allied Telesis spec sheet does not list a per-port surge rating.
Neither unit's specifications state per-port power guarantees when all ports are fully loaded simultaneously; buyers should verify thermal derating with each vendor.
How do switching fabric, forwarding rate, and Layer 2 management features compare?
The AW-GEL-205A-260 specifies a 40 Gbps switching bandwidth with a 4.1 Mb buffer and support for 8K MAC addresses and 9,216-byte jumbo frames. Its 802.3bt pin assignment uses all four pairs on ports 1–4 and two pairs on ports 5–16, consistent with 1G operation on all ports.
The AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 specifies a 36 Gbps switching fabric and a 26.8 Mpps forwarding rate. The Allied Telesis specification does not publish buffer memory size, MAC table capacity, or jumbo-frame support. The Vivotek specification does not publish a forwarding-rate figure in packets per second.
On documented Layer 2 management, the Vivotek specification explicitly lists 802.1Q tag-based VLAN (4,096 IDs), port-based VLAN, STP/RSTP (802.1d/802.1w), LACP link aggregation, CoS (port-based, 802.1p, DSCP), storm control, flow control, loop protection, port mirroring, port isolation, bandwidth control, static MAC, PoE on/off control, PoE auto-checking, Non-Stop PoE, and Extend PoE Mode (250 m). The Allied Telesis specification sheet provided here does not list individual Layer 2 management features; buyers should consult the full AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 datasheet for VLAN, QoS, and redundancy capabilities.
How do the physical form factor, power draw, noise, and environmental ratings differ?
The AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 measures 341 × 231 × 44 mm and weighs 4.35 kg (9.6 lb). Its maximum power consumption is 330 W with a maximum heat dissipation of 169 BTU/hr. An audible noise figure of 34 dBA is specified, indicating active cooling. Housing color is white.
The AW-GEL-205A-260 measures 440 × 210 × 44 mm and weighs 2.67 kg. Its maximum power consumption is 280 W. Operating temperature is rated 0°C to 50°C; storage temperature is −20°C to 70°C; operating humidity is 10–90% RH non-condensing. The Vivotek spec lists CE, FCC, LVD, and VCCI certifications and a 24-month warranty. A noise figure is not specified.
Both units occupy a single rack unit (44 mm height). The Allied Telesis unit is deeper at 231 mm versus the Vivotek's 210 mm depth, but narrower at 341 mm versus the Vivotek's standard 440 mm rack width. The Allied Telesis maximum system power draw is 50 W higher (330 W vs 280 W) despite a lower PoE budget, which may be relevant for UPS sizing. Environmental operating range is only published for the Vivotek; buyers should verify the Allied Telesis operating temperature rating separately.
Which should you choose: the GS970M/18PS-R-10 or the GEL-205A-260?
Our take: The AW-GEL-205A-260 is the stronger choice when the installation includes high-draw devices requiring 802.3bt power or when documented Layer 2 management features are a procurement requirement. Three concrete spec deltas support this: the Vivotek's four 90 W 802.3bt ports versus the Allied Telesis's 30 W maximum per-port ceiling; the Vivotek's 40 Gbps switching bandwidth versus the Allied Telesis's 36 Gbps; and the Vivotek's lower maximum system power consumption of 280 W versus 330 W despite a higher 260 W PoE budget. The AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 is preferable in deployments that require a verified forwarding rate (26.8 Mpps is specified; the Vivotek does not publish one) or where the Allied Telesis management platform is already standardized in the environment. Buyers standardized on Vivotek NVRs will benefit from the Vivotek's native platform integration.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | Allied Telesis GS970M/18PS-R-10 | Vivotek GEL-205A-260 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Ports | 18 | 20 |
| PoE-Capable Ports | 16 | 16 |
| Non-PoE RJ45 Uplink Ports | — | 2 |
| SFP Ports | 2 | 2 |
| PoE Standard | 802.3af/at (PoE+) | 802.3af/at/bt (PoE++) |
| Max Per-Port PoE Power | 30 W | 90 W (ports 1–4); 30 W (ports 5–16) |
| Total PoE Power Budget | 247 W | 260 W |
| Switching Fabric / Bandwidth | 36 Gbps | 40 Gbps |
| Forwarding Rate | 26.8 Mpps | — |
| Buffer Memory | — | 4.1 Mb |
| MAC Address Table | — | 8K |
| Jumbo Frames | — | 9,216 Bytes |
| Max System Power Consumption | 330 W | 280 W |
| PoE Surge Protection (per port) | — | 4 kV |
| Audible Noise | 34 dBA | — |
| Dimensions (W × D × H mm) | 341 × 231 × 44 | 440 × 210 × 44 |
| Weight | 4.35 kg (9.6 lb) | 2.67 kg |
| Operating Temperature | — | 0°C – 50°C |
| Warranty | — | 24 months |
| Extend PoE Mode (250 m reach) | — | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the GS970M/18PS-R-10 or the GEL-205A-260?
The AW-GEL-205A-260 is the stronger choice when the installation includes high-draw devices requiring 802.3bt power or when documented Layer 2 management features are a procurement requirement. Three concrete spec deltas support this: the Vivotek's four 90 W 802.3bt ports versus the Allied Telesis's 30 W maximum per-port ceiling; the Vivotek's 40 Gbps switching bandwidth versus the Allied Telesis's 36 Gbps; and the Vivotek's lower maximum system power consumption of 280 W versus 330 W despite a higher 260 W PoE budget. The AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 is preferable in deployments that require a verified forwarding rate (26.8 Mpps is specified; the Vivotek does not publish one) or where the Allied Telesis management platform is already standardized in the environment. Buyers standardized on Vivotek NVRs will benefit from the Vivotek's native platform integration.
Can either switch power high-wattage PTZ cameras or Wi-Fi 6 access points drawing more than 30W?
Only the AW-GEL-205A-260 supports devices drawing above 30 W. Its ports 1–4 deliver up to 90 W each under IEEE 802.3bt. The AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 specification lists a maximum of 30 W per port (802.3at/PoE+); 802.3bt is not listed in its provided specifications.
Which switch is better suited for a rack with limited depth or a non-standard enclosure?
The AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 is shallower at 231 mm depth versus the AW-GEL-205A-260 at 210 mm — both are similar in depth, but the Allied Telesis unit is significantly narrower at 341 mm face width compared to the Vivotek's standard 440 mm rack-width form factor. If a full 1U rack slot is available, either fits; if mounting in a non-standard or shallow enclosure, verify cutout width against each unit's chassis dimension.
Is the GS970M/18PS-R-10 or GEL-205A-260 better for a managed network requiring VLAN segmentation and QoS?
The AW-GEL-205A-260 specification explicitly documents 802.1Q tag-based VLAN with 4,096 IDs, port-based VLAN, STP/RSTP, LACP, and three CoS mechanisms (port-based, 802.1p, DSCP). The AT-GS970M/18PS-R-10 specification provided here does not list individual Layer 2 management features. Buyers requiring confirmed VLAN and QoS capabilities should consult the full Allied Telesis datasheet before specifying that unit.
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