NETGEAR GS116EP-100NAS vs Ubiquiti USW-LITE-16-POE: Specification Comparison
Both the NETGEAR GS116EP-100NAS and the Ubiquiti USW-LITE-16-POE are 16-port Gigabit PoE+ switches targeting small-to-midsize surveillance and wireless deployments. Each delivers 802.3at PoE+ across all 16 ports at up to 30W per port, operates at Gigabit speeds, and supports wall-mount installation. The key differentiators are management capability, total PoE power budget, enclosure material, and thermal operating range — factors that drive real purchasing decisions in IP camera and access-point installations.
In This Guide
- Which switch delivers more usable PoE power and port throughput for powering cameras and APs?
- Which switch offers the management depth and VLAN capability needed for segmented security networks?
- Which switch is better suited to demanding installation environments and compliance-sensitive projects?
- Which should you choose: the GS116EP-100NAS or the USW-LITE-16-POE?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
Which switch delivers more usable PoE power and port throughput for powering cameras and APs?
Both switches provide 16 Gigabit ports with 802.3at PoE+ at up to 30W per port. However, the total PoE power budgets differ significantly. The Ubiquiti USW-LITE-16-POE specifies a 45W maximum PoE output from a 60W internal power supply. The NETGEAR GS116EP-100NAS does not list a total PoE budget in the provided specifications, which makes it impossible to confirm how many high-draw devices (e.g., PTZ cameras at 25–30W each) can run simultaneously without power contention.
On throughput, the USW-LITE-16-POE explicitly states 32 Gbps non-blocking switching capacity at a forwarding rate of 24 Mpps. The GS116EP-100NAS lists bandwidth figures ranging from 10 Gbps to 32 Gbps across multiple spec entries but does not state a confirmed non-blocking throughput or forwarding rate. Buyers sizing for high-density, simultaneous-stream environments should note this ambiguity for the NETGEAR unit.
Which switch offers the management depth and VLAN capability needed for segmented security networks?
This is the sharpest functional divide between the two products. The NETGEAR GS116EP-100NAS is explicitly unmanaged — it forwards traffic immediately with zero configuration and offers no VLAN, QoS, or traffic-segmentation capability. This suits single-segment, flat-network installations where simplicity is the priority.
The Ubiquiti USW-LITE-16-POE is a managed switch supporting up to 1,000 VLANs and Ethernet-based management. In a physical-security context this enables camera VLANs isolated from corporate traffic, QoS prioritization for video streams, and integration into a UniFi controller ecosystem for centralized monitoring. Installers running multi-tenant or compliance-sensitive environments will find the NETGEAR's lack of management a hard limitation that the Ubiquiti resolves.
Which switch is better suited to demanding installation environments and compliance-sensitive projects?
The NETGEAR GS116EP-100NAS specifies a metal enclosure with an operating range of 32°F to 104°F (0°C to 40°C). The Ubiquiti USW-LITE-16-POE uses a polycarbonate enclosure but covers a wider thermal range of -15°C to 40°C (5°F to 104°F), giving it a meaningful advantage in unheated closets or outdoor-adjacent enclosures where temperatures can dip below freezing.
On compliance, the USW-LITE-16-POE carries an NDAA-compliant designation plus CE, FCC, IC, and Anatel certifications — relevant for U.S. federal, state, and municipal projects subject to NDAA Section 889 procurement rules. The GS116EP-100NAS specifications provided do not include an NDAA statement or equivalent compliance certification, which may disqualify it from certain government bids without additional vendor verification.
Which should you choose: the GS116EP-100NAS or the USW-LITE-16-POE?
Our take: The USW-LITE-16-POE is the stronger choice when the installation requires network segmentation, compliance verification, or operation in sub-freezing environments. Its 1,000-VLAN managed fabric, 32 Gbps non-blocking throughput at 24 Mpps, and NDAA certification make it the defensible pick for security integrators serving government or enterprise customers. However, its 45W total PoE budget is a hard ceiling — across 16 ports that averages under 3W per port simultaneously, constraining high-draw PTZ or pan-tilt camera deployments. The GS116EP-100NAS suits strictly flat, single-segment networks where zero-config simplicity is the priority, but the absence of a specified total PoE budget and non-blocking throughput figure leaves critical sizing questions unanswered. Platform qualifier: the USW-LITE-16-POE integrates natively into UniFi; the GS116EP-100NAS does not.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | NETGEAR GS116EP-100NAS | Ubiquiti USW-LITE-16-POE |
|---|---|---|
| Product Type | Unmanaged Switch | Managed Switch |
| Total Ports | 16 | 16 |
| PoE Standard | 802.3at (PoE+) | 802.3at (PoE+) |
| Max PoE per Port | 30W | 30W (spec) |
| Total PoE Budget | — | 45W |
| Port Speed | Gigabit (1G) | 1G |
| Switching Capacity | Not specified | 32 Gbps non-blocking |
| Forwarding Rate | Not specified | 24 Mpps |
| VLAN Support | None (unmanaged) | 1,000 VLANs |
| Management Interface | None | Ethernet |
| Operating Temp | 0°C to 40°C (32–104°F) | -15°C to 40°C (5–104°F) |
| Enclosure Material | Metal | Polycarbonate |
| Mount Type | Wall | Desktop / Wall |
| NDAA Compliant | — | Yes |
| Certifications | — | CE, FCC, IC, Anatel |
| Internal Power Supply | Not specified | 60W AC/DC internal |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the GS116EP-100NAS or the USW-LITE-16-POE?
The USW-LITE-16-POE is the stronger choice when the installation requires network segmentation, compliance verification, or operation in sub-freezing environments. Its 1,000-VLAN managed fabric, 32 Gbps non-blocking throughput at 24 Mpps, and NDAA certification make it the defensible pick for security integrators serving government or enterprise customers. However, its 45W total PoE budget is a hard ceiling — across 16 ports that averages under 3W per port simultaneously, constraining high-draw PTZ or pan-tilt camera deployments. The GS116EP-100NAS suits strictly flat, single-segment networks where zero-config simplicity is the priority, but the absence of a specified total PoE budget and non-blocking throughput figure leaves critical sizing questions unanswered. Platform qualifier: the USW-LITE-16-POE integrates natively into UniFi; the GS116EP-100NAS does not.
Can either switch handle multiple PTZ cameras drawing 20–25W each simultaneously?
The USW-LITE-16-POE has a stated 45W total PoE budget. Running two PTZ cameras at 25W each (50W) would already exceed that ceiling, so simultaneous high-draw deployments across many ports are constrained. The GS116EP-100NAS does not specify a total PoE budget in the provided data, so the same simultaneous-load question cannot be answered from available specs — confirm this figure with NETGEAR before sizing a multi-PTZ installation.
Is the USW-LITE-16-POE or GS116EP-100NAS the right choice for a government security project?
The USW-LITE-16-POE explicitly lists NDAA compliance, CE, FCC, IC, and Anatel certifications. The GS116EP-100NAS specifications provided do not include an NDAA compliance statement. For U.S. federal or state projects subject to NDAA Section 889 restrictions, the Ubiquiti unit is the only one of the two with a documented compliance claim.
Does the unmanaged NETGEAR switch work in a network that already uses VLANs?
No. The GS116EP-100NAS is unmanaged and does not support VLANs. It will forward all traffic on a single flat segment and cannot be configured to participate in a tagged VLAN architecture. If the existing network uses VLAN segmentation for camera isolation or guest/corporate separation, the USW-LITE-16-POE — which supports up to 1,000 VLANs — is the appropriate choice.
More Network Switch Comparisons
- Vivotek GEL-205A-260 vs TP-Link SL1218MP
- Vivotek GEL-205A-260 vs Allied Telesis AT-x530L-18GHXm-10
- Vivotek GEL-205A-260 vs Ubiquiti USW-LITE-16-POE
- Vivotek GEL-205A-260 vs Ubiquiti USW-16-POE
- TP-Link SL1218MP vs Allied Telesis AT-x530L-18GHXm-10
- TP-Link SL1218MP vs Ubiquiti USW-LITE-16-POE
Network Switch Buying Guides
Get a Second Opinion on Your Camera Choice
Share your site layout, coverage goals, and budget. Our team will validate the camera selection, flag anything we would change, and recommend products that match the use case.