Axis T8524 vs Cradlepoint SW2400P-GN: Specification Comparison
Both the Axis T8524 and Cradlepoint SW2400P-GN are 24-port managed Gigabit PoE+ switches with 370W power budgets, placing them squarely in the same procurement category for installers building out edge switching infrastructure. The T8524 targets physical-security deployments under AXIS Device Manager, while the SW2400P-GN is positioned for enterprise branch sites under Cradlepoint's NetCloud platform. This comparison examines switching performance, operating environment, and management ecosystem across the two units to help buyers align with their existing platform.
In This Guide
- Which switch delivers more throughput and forwarding capacity?
- Which unit is rated for harsher physical installation environments?
- How do the two switches differ in management platform, security features, and ecosystem integration?
- Which should you choose: the T8524 or the SW2400P-GN?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
Which switch delivers more throughput and forwarding capacity?
The Cradlepoint SW2400P-GN specifies a switching capacity of 128 Gbps, compared to 52 Gbps on the Axis T8524 — a 2.5× advantage in raw backplane capacity. Packet-forwarding rate is stated at 38.7 Mpps for the T8524; a forwarding-rate figure is not provided in the available SW2400P-GN specifications. Both units provide 24 Gigabit PoE+ ports and a 370W PoE budget, so per-port power delivery is identical at up to 30W (802.3at). The T8524 adds 2× RJ45/SFP combo uplinks, while the SW2400P-GN specifies 4 SFP slots — giving the Cradlepoint unit more dedicated uplink expansion. MAC address table size is documented at 8K for the T8524; this figure is absent from the SW2400P-GN spec sheet. Jumbo frame support (9,216 bytes) is confirmed for the T8524 only.
Which unit is rated for harsher physical installation environments?
The Cradlepoint SW2400P-GN carries an industrial temperature rating, with a specified operating range of -5°C to 45°C (23°F to 113°F). The Axis T8524 is rated for indoor use with an operating range of 0°C to 50°C (32°F to 122°F) — a slightly higher upper limit but a higher cold-side floor of 0°C versus -5°C for the Cradlepoint. The T8524 storage rating extends to -10°C to 70°C at 5–95% RH non-condensing. The SW2400P-GN storage conditions are not specified in the available data. A critical differentiator for physical-security installations is the T8524's documented 6kV surge protection on all network ports and AC lines — no equivalent surge-protection rating appears in the SW2400P-GN specifications. The T8524 ships with a rack kit; the SW2400P-GN also specifies rack-mount form factor. Casing material and finish are documented as metal/black for the T8524; casing details are not provided for the SW2400P-GN.
How do the two switches differ in management platform, security features, and ecosystem integration?
The Axis T8524 is managed via AXIS Device Manager and supports a documented protocol stack: IPv4/IPv6, SNMP v1/v2c/v3, SSH, HTTPS, NTP, DNS, STP/RSTP/MSTP, LLDP-MED, and IGMP snooping. Security capabilities include IEEE 802.1X network access control, Private VLANs, DHCP snooping, ACLs, IP address filtering, HTTPS encryption, and password protection. VMS compatibility is confirmed for Milestone, Genetec, and ONVIF-compliant platforms. The Cradlepoint SW2400P-GN is managed through Cradlepoint's NetCloud, a cloud-based centralized management platform suited to multi-site branch deployments. The SW2400P-GN carries a TAA compliance designation — no TAA status is stated for the T8524. Detailed Layer 2/3 security feature specifics (802.1X, ACL, DHCP snooping) are not enumerated in the available SW2400P-GN spec data. The T8524 warranty is explicitly stated as 5 years; the SW2400P-GN lists only 'Manufacturer Warranty' with no duration specified.
Which should you choose: the T8524 or the SW2400P-GN?
Our take: The T8524 is the stronger choice when the deployment is surveillance-centric and requires documented surge protection, deep Layer 2 security features, and tight integration with a VMS ecosystem. Concretely: the T8524 provides 6kV surge protection on all ports (no equivalent is stated for the SW2400P-GN), an explicit 5-year warranty (versus an unspecified manufacturer warranty), and a fully enumerated security stack including 802.1X, Private VLANs, and DHCP snooping. The SW2400P-GN counters with a 128 Gbps switching capacity versus the T8524's 52 Gbps, four dedicated SFP uplink slots versus two combo uplinks, and TAA compliance — relevant for federal or government-adjacent procurement. The SW2400P-GN's NetCloud management is the right fit for multi-branch IT environments where centralized cloud policy control is the operational model. Buyers deploying cameras and access control under Axis, Milestone, or Genetec should favor the T8524; buyers standardizing on Cradlepoint NetCloud for branch infrastructure should evaluate the SW2400P-GN.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | Axis T8524 | Cradlepoint SW2400P-GN |
|---|---|---|
| Port Count (PoE) | 24 | 24 |
| PoE Standard | 802.3at (PoE+) | 802.3at (PoE+) |
| PoE Budget | 370W | 370W |
| Max PoE per Port | 30W | Not specified |
| Switching Capacity | 52 Gbps | 128 Gbps |
| Forwarding Rate | 38.7 Mpps | Not specified |
| Uplink Ports | 2x RJ45/SFP combo | 4x SFP |
| MAC Table Size | 8K | Not specified |
| Jumbo Frames | 9,216 bytes | Not specified |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 50°C | -5°C to 45°C |
| Environment Rating | Indoor | Industrial |
| Surge Protection | 6kV all ports & AC | Not specified |
| Management Platform | AXIS Device Manager | NetCloud (Cradlepoint) |
| Layer 2 Security | 802.1X, ACL, Private VLAN, DHCP Snooping | Not specified |
| TAA Compliance | Not specified | Yes |
| Warranty | 5 years | Manufacturer warranty (duration not specified) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the T8524 or the SW2400P-GN?
The T8524 is the stronger choice when the deployment is surveillance-centric and requires documented surge protection, deep Layer 2 security features, and tight integration with a VMS ecosystem. Concretely: the T8524 provides 6kV surge protection on all ports (no equivalent is stated for the SW2400P-GN), an explicit 5-year warranty (versus an unspecified manufacturer warranty), and a fully enumerated security stack including 802.1X, Private VLANs, and DHCP snooping. The SW2400P-GN counters with a 128 Gbps switching capacity versus the T8524's 52 Gbps, four dedicated SFP uplink slots versus two combo uplinks, and TAA compliance — relevant for federal or government-adjacent procurement. The SW2400P-GN's NetCloud management is the right fit for multi-branch IT environments where centralized cloud policy control is the operational model. Buyers deploying cameras and access control under Axis, Milestone, or Genetec should favor the T8524; buyers standardizing on Cradlepoint NetCloud for branch infrastructure should evaluate the SW2400P-GN.
Which switch handles more network traffic — the T8524 or the SW2400P-GN?
The SW2400P-GN specifies a 128 Gbps switching capacity versus 52 Gbps for the T8524. The T8524's packet-forwarding rate is documented at 38.7 Mpps; no equivalent figure is available for the SW2400P-GN. For pure backplane headroom, the SW2400P-GN has a stated advantage, but buyers should request complete forwarding-rate data from Cradlepoint before finalizing.
Is either switch suitable for installation in an unconditioned IDF closet or outdoor enclosure?
The Cradlepoint SW2400P-GN carries an industrial temperature designation with a -5°C lower operating limit, making it more suitable for unconditioned spaces that may dip below freezing. The Axis T8524 is rated for indoor use from 0°C to 50°C. Neither unit specifies an IP ingress-protection rating for outdoor exposure; both would require an appropriate enclosure for any outdoor installation.
Which switch is better if our organization requires TAA compliance?
The Cradlepoint SW2400P-GN explicitly lists TAA compliance in its specifications. The Axis T8524 specifications provided do not include a TAA compliance designation. If TAA is a procurement requirement — as it commonly is for federal, state, or defense-adjacent contracts — the SW2400P-GN is the documented compliant option of the two.
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