Altronix NETWAYSP4WP vs Altronix NETWAYSP4BTWPX

NETWORK SWITCH COMPARISON

Altronix NETWAYSP4WP vs Altronix NETWAYSP4BTWPX: Specification Comparison

Both the Altronix NETWAYSP4WP and NETWAYSP4BTWPX are outdoor-rated, managed 4-port PoE switches housed in NEMA 4/4X IP66 enclosures, designed for security deployments requiring weatherproof network infrastructure with integrated battery backup and fiber backbone uplinks. The key differentiators are PoE power standard and total power budget — the NETWAYSP4WP delivers 120W via PoE+ (802.3at), while the NETWAYSP4BTWPX steps up to 240W via PoE++ (802.3bt). Buyers cross-shopping these two are typically weighing whether their endpoint power draw justifies the higher-capacity unit.



How much PoE power does each switch provide, and which endpoints can each drive?

The NETWAYSP4WP operates under IEEE 802.3at (PoE+), supplying a 120W total budget. Two ports are configurable for 60W Hi-PoE mode; all four ports support standard 15.4W PoE. This accommodates most fixed IP cameras, access control readers, and audio devices, but falls short of the sustained draw required by high-wattage PTZ cameras or multi-radio wireless APs.

The NETWAYSP4BTWPX operates under IEEE 802.3bt 4PPoE (PoE++), providing a 240W total budget with up to 90W per port. This doubles the per-unit power headroom and per-port ceiling compared to the NETWAYSP4WP, enabling deployment of high-power PTZ cameras, pan-tilt-zoom thermal imagers, and dual-radio 802.11ax access points — classes of endpoints the NETWAYSP4WP cannot power at full spec.


What environmental and physical installation conditions does each unit support?

Both units share a NEMA 4/4X IP66 outdoor enclosure rating and include integrated battery chargers for backup power. Both are specified for outdoor use. The NETWAYSP4WP specifies a stainless steel enclosure and pole-mount form factor. Physical dimensions are not provided in the NETWAYSP4WP spec sheet.

The NETWAYSP4BTWPX adds a rated operating temperature range of -40°C to 60°C (-40°F to 140°F) and a storage temperature range of -30°C to 85°C (-22°F to 185°F) — neither of which is specified for the NETWAYSP4WP. The NETWAYSP4BTWPX physical dimensions are 17.53" x 15.3" x 6.67". It also supports wall, pole, and rack mounting versus pole-only for the NETWAYSP4WP. The NETWAYSP4BTWPX specifies a LiFePO4 battery charger chemistry; the NETWAYSP4WP battery charger chemistry is not specified. The NETWAYSP4BTWPX enclosure note requires a pair of air vents to be mounted per enclosure.


What fiber connectivity and network management capabilities does each switch offer?

Both switches provide dual 1G SFP fiber uplink ports for backbone connectivity, and both are specified as managed Layer 2 switches supporting Gigabit (10/100/1000 Mbps) on all four PoE data ports. The NETWAYSP4WP specifies VLAN, STP, and QoS management features.

The NETWAYSP4BTWPX adds LINQ integration (Altronix's proprietary remote power management platform) alongside standard SNMP and managed switch CLI. The NETWAYSP4BTWPX also specifies single-mode fiber compatibility. The NETWAYSP4WP fiber transceiver type (single-mode vs. multi-mode) is not specified. LINQ support is not listed for the NETWAYSP4WP.


Which should you choose: the NETWAYSP4WP or the NETWAYSP4BTWPX?

Our take: The NETWAYSP4BTWPX is the stronger choice when endpoints require high sustained power draw — specifically PTZ cameras, thermal imagers, or dual-radio wireless APs — or when the deployment environment demands sub-zero cold-weather operation. Three concrete spec deltas drive this: (1) total PoE budget is 240W vs. 120W, doubling available power; (2) per-port ceiling is 90W (802.3bt) vs. 60W Hi-PoE on only 2 ports (802.3at), supporting a broader range of high-wattage device classes on all four ports; (3) the NETWAYSP4BTWPX carries a documented -40°C operating floor versus no rated low-temperature floor for the NETWAYSP4WP. The NETWAYSP4WP is the appropriate selection for fixed-camera and access-control deployments where no endpoint exceeds 60W and a more compact pole-mount form factor is required. Both units carry lifetime warranties and are warranted for outdoor NEMA 4/4X IP66 environments.


Side-by-Side Comparison

Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.

SpecificationAltronix NETWAYSP4WPAltronix NETWAYSP4BTWPX
PoE StandardIEEE 802.3at (PoE+)IEEE 802.3bt 4PPoE (PoE++)
Total PoE Budget120W240W
Max Per-Port Power60W Hi-PoE (2 ports); 15.4W standard (4 ports)90W per port (all 4 ports)
PoE Data Ports4x 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit4x 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit
Fiber UplinksDual 1G SFPDual 1G SFP
Fiber ModeSingle-Mode
Enclosure RatingNEMA 4/4X, IP66NEMA 4/4X, IP66
Enclosure MaterialStainless steelStainless/powder-coat
Operating Temperature-40°C to 60°C (-40°F to 140°F)
Storage Temperature-30°C to 85°C (-22°F to 185°F)
Battery BackupYes (integrated charger)Yes (LiFePO4 charger)
ManagementVLAN, STP, QoSLINQ, SNMP, managed switch CLI
Mount TypePoleWall; Pole; Rack
Dimensions17.53" x 15.3" x 6.67"
Environment RatingOutdoorOutdoor
WarrantyLifetimeLifetime

Frequently Asked Questions

Which should you choose: the NETWAYSP4WP or the NETWAYSP4BTWPX?

The NETWAYSP4BTWPX is the stronger choice when endpoints require high sustained power draw — specifically PTZ cameras, thermal imagers, or dual-radio wireless APs — or when the deployment environment demands sub-zero cold-weather operation. Three concrete spec deltas drive this: (1) total PoE budget is 240W vs. 120W, doubling available power; (2) per-port ceiling is 90W (802.3bt) vs. 60W Hi-PoE on only 2 ports (802.3at), supporting a broader range of high-wattage device classes on all four ports; (3) the NETWAYSP4BTWPX carries a documented -40°C operating floor versus no rated low-temperature floor for the NETWAYSP4WP. The NETWAYSP4WP is the appropriate selection for fixed-camera and access-control deployments where no endpoint exceeds 60W and a more compact pole-mount form factor is required. Both units carry lifetime warranties and are warranted for outdoor NEMA 4/4X IP66 environments.

Can the NETWAYSP4WP power a high-wattage PTZ camera?

On two ports, the NETWAYSP4WP supports up to 60W Hi-PoE (configurable). This may be sufficient for some PTZ models, but high-power PTZ cameras or thermal PTZs that require 70–90W require the NETWAYSP4BTWPX, which supports up to 90W per port via IEEE 802.3bt 4PPoE. Check your specific PTZ camera's maximum PoE draw before selecting the NETWAYSP4WP.

Will either switch work in extreme cold climates such as northern outdoor deployments?

Only the NETWAYSP4BTWPX carries a documented operating temperature rating down to -40°C (-40°F). The NETWAYSP4WP does not have a rated low-temperature operating floor listed in its specifications, so it cannot be verified for sub-zero deployments based on available data.

Does either switch integrate with Altronix LINQ remote management?

LINQ integration is specified for the NETWAYSP4BTWPX. LINQ support is not listed in the NETWAYSP4WP specifications. If centralized remote power monitoring and control via the Altronix LINQ platform is a requirement, the NETWAYSP4BTWPX is the confirmed-compatible unit.



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