TP-Link S5500-24GP4XF vs TP-Link SL2428P: Specification Comparison
Both the TP-Link S5500-24GP4XF and SL2428P are Omada-managed, rack-mountable PoE+ switches built around a 24-port access layer with uplink ports — a configuration commonly evaluated for IP camera, access control, and wireless AP deployments. The S5500-24GP4XF is an L2+ managed switch with full gigabit access ports and 10GE SFP+ uplinks, while the SL2428P is a smart-managed switch with 10/100 Mbps access ports and gigabit uplinks. This comparison covers port speed and throughput, PoE budget and power envelope, and management depth and feature set.
In This Guide
- Which switch delivers more bandwidth at the access layer and uplinks?
- How do the PoE budgets and power envelopes compare for powering edge devices?
- Which switch offers deeper management capabilities and feature parity for enterprise or surveillance deployments?
- Which should you choose: the S5500-24GP4XF or the SL2428P?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
Which switch delivers more bandwidth at the access layer and uplinks?
The S5500-24GP4XF provides 24 × Gigabit RJ45 access ports plus 4 × 10GE SFP+ uplink slots, yielding a switching capacity of 160 Gbps. Every access port runs at 1 Gbps, making it capable of handling high-bitrate 4K or multi-stream IP cameras, and the 10GE uplinks allow non-blocking aggregation to a core switch or NVR at 10 Gbps per port.
The SL2428P provides 24 × 10/100 Mbps access ports — capped at 100 Mbps per port — with only 4 gigabit uplink ports (2 × RJ45 + 2 × Combo RJ45/SFP). Its switching capacity is 12.8 Gbps with a forwarding rate of 9.52 Mpps. The 100 Mbps access ceiling is adequate for standard-definition or lower-resolution IP cameras but will bottleneck high-bitrate streams (typically 25–50 Mbps for 4K) if multiple such devices share the backplane.
For bandwidth-intensive deployments — high-resolution cameras, multi-stream encoders, or dense wireless APs — the S5500-24GP4XF's gigabit access ports and 160 Gbps fabric represent a significant structural advantage. The SL2428P's 12.8 Gbps fabric is sufficient for lighter loads where per-device throughput stays well under 100 Mbps.
How do the PoE budgets and power envelopes compare for powering edge devices?
The S5500-24GP4XF carries a total PoE+ budget of 240 W across its 24 access ports, with a maximum system power draw of 384 W. It supports 802.3af/at on all PoE ports and, per the specs, includes dynamic PoE allocation to prevent port oversubscription. Per-port maximum is 30 W (802.3at).
The SL2428P carries a total PoE+ budget of 250 W across its 24 × 10/100 Mbps access ports, with a maximum system power draw of 250 W and a standby draw of 8.9 W. It also supports 802.3af/at at up to 30 W per port. The SL2428P's PoE budget of 250 W slightly exceeds the S5500-24GP4XF's 240 W.
In practice, 10 W separates the two PoE pools — a marginal difference equivalent to roughly one additional PoE (802.3af) device. The more notable difference is total system wattage: the S5500-24GP4XF draws up to 384 W total (reflecting its higher-capacity switching silicon and 10GE interfaces), while the SL2428P's maximum draw is 250 W. For deployments where rack power budget or heat load is constrained, the SL2428P has a lower power ceiling.
Operating temperature ranges differ: the S5500-24GP4XF is rated 0 °C to 45 °C, while the SL2428P is rated −5 °C to 50 °C. The SL2428P tolerates a wider thermal range, which may matter in outdoor enclosures or unconditioned spaces.
Which switch offers deeper management capabilities and feature parity for enterprise or surveillance deployments?
The S5500-24GP4XF is classified as an L2+ Managed switch. Its specified management interfaces include CLI, SNMP (v1/v2c/v3), and RMON. Feature support listed in the specs includes static routing, 802.1Q VLAN, QinQ, STP/RSTP/MSTP, IGMP snooping, ACL, 802.1X authentication, and LACP. It integrates with the Omada Pro platform. The '10GE' class and L2+ designation indicate support for inter-VLAN static routing — relevant for segmenting camera, management, and user traffic without a dedicated router.
The SL2428P is managed via Omada cloud, standalone web UI, CLI, SNMP, and RMON. Its feature set per the specs includes VLAN, STP/RSTP/MSTP, IGMP Snooping, QoS (802.1p/DSCP), ACL, LACP, static routing, and jumbo frames (9 KB). Security includes 802.1X and RADIUS/TACACS+ authentication. The SL2428P also carries an ONVIF designation per the provided specs, which may simplify integration with ONVIF-compliant NVR and VMS platforms. Its memory spec is more detailed: 32 MB Flash and 256 MB DRAM, versus the S5500-24GP4XF's listed 32 MB (DRAM not specified).
Both switches support a comparable L2+ feature set including static routing, IGMP snooping, ACL, and 802.1X. The SL2428P adds an explicit RADIUS/TACACS+ spec and ONVIF flag; the S5500-24GP4XF adds QinQ per its spec. The S5500-24GP4XF sits on the Omada Pro platform while the SL2428P is on the standard Omada platform — buyers already committed to one ecosystem should verify controller compatibility before selecting.
Which should you choose: the S5500-24GP4XF or the SL2428P?
Our take: The S5500-24GP4XF is the stronger choice when per-port bandwidth, uplink speed, and switching fabric capacity are the primary criteria. Its 24 gigabit access ports and 4 × 10GE SFP+ uplinks produce a 160 Gbps switching capacity versus the SL2428P's 12.8 Gbps — a 12.5× difference driven by the access-port speed gap (1 Gbps vs. 100 Mbps). The SL2428P counters with a marginally higher PoE pool (250 W vs. 240 W), a wider operating temperature range (−5 °C to 50 °C vs. 0 °C to 45 °C), a lower maximum power draw (250 W vs. 384 W), and an explicit ONVIF specification. For high-resolution IP camera deployments, multi-stream encoders, or dense AP environments where device bitrates approach or exceed 50 Mbps, the SL2428P's 100 Mbps access ceiling is a hard constraint. The SL2428P is appropriate for cost-sensitive, lower-bitrate installations — standard-definition or sub-10 Mbps cameras — particularly where rack power is limited or the deployment site runs warm.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | TP-Link S5500-24GP4XF | TP-Link SL2428P |
|---|---|---|
| Access Port Speed | 24 × 1 Gbps RJ45 | 24 × 10/100 Mbps RJ45 |
| Uplink Ports | 4 × 10GE SFP+ | 2 × 1GbE RJ45 + 2 × Combo RJ45/SFP (1GbE) |
| Total Ports | 28 (24 RJ45 + 4 SFP+) | 28 (24 RJ45 + 2 RJ45 + 2 Combo) |
| Switching Capacity | 160 Gbps | 12.8 Gbps |
| Forwarding Rate | — | 9.52 Mpps |
| PoE Standard | 802.3af/at (PoE+) | 802.3af/at (PoE+) |
| PoE Budget | 240 W | 250 W |
| Max Per-Port PoE | 30 W | 30 W |
| Max Power Draw | 384 W | 250 W |
| Standby Power | — | 8.9 W |
| Operating Temp | 0 °C to 45 °C | −5 °C to 50 °C |
| Flash Memory | 32 MB | 32 MB |
| DRAM | — | 256 MB |
| Management Platform | Omada Pro | Omada |
| ONVIF | — | Yes (per spec) |
| Mount Type | Rack | Wall / Ceiling / Rack |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the S5500-24GP4XF or the SL2428P?
The S5500-24GP4XF is the stronger choice when per-port bandwidth, uplink speed, and switching fabric capacity are the primary criteria. Its 24 gigabit access ports and 4 × 10GE SFP+ uplinks produce a 160 Gbps switching capacity versus the SL2428P's 12.8 Gbps — a 12.5× difference driven by the access-port speed gap (1 Gbps vs. 100 Mbps). The SL2428P counters with a marginally higher PoE pool (250 W vs. 240 W), a wider operating temperature range (−5 °C to 50 °C vs. 0 °C to 45 °C), a lower maximum power draw (250 W vs. 384 W), and an explicit ONVIF specification. For high-resolution IP camera deployments, multi-stream encoders, or dense AP environments where device bitrates approach or exceed 50 Mbps, the SL2428P's 100 Mbps access ceiling is a hard constraint. The SL2428P is appropriate for cost-sensitive, lower-bitrate installations — standard-definition or sub-10 Mbps cameras — particularly where rack power is limited or the deployment site runs warm.
Is the S5500-24GP4XF or SL2428P better for connecting high-resolution 4K IP cameras?
The S5500-24GP4XF is the more suitable option for 4K cameras. Its 24 access ports each run at 1 Gbps, which accommodates the 25–50 Mbps bitrates typical of 4K streams with headroom to spare. The SL2428P's 24 access ports are capped at 100 Mbps, which can become a bottleneck when multiple high-bitrate cameras share the same port or when traffic bursts during motion events. The S5500-24GP4XF also provides 4 × 10GE SFP+ uplinks for high-speed aggregation to an NVR or core switch.
Which switch is more power-efficient for a rack where total wattage is limited?
The SL2428P draws a maximum of 250 W total (including its full 250 W PoE budget), with a standby draw of 8.9 W per the provided specs. The S5500-24GP4XF draws up to 384 W maximum. If rack power allocation or heat dissipation is a constraint, the SL2428P has a lower power ceiling. Note that the S5500-24GP4XF's higher draw reflects its faster switching silicon and 10GE interfaces, not a less efficient PoE implementation.
Can either switch be used in an outdoor enclosure or unconditioned space?
Per the provided specs, the SL2428P is rated for −5 °C to 50 °C, giving it a slight advantage in environments that run cold (below freezing) or warm (above 45 °C). The S5500-24GP4XF is rated 0 °C to 45 °C. Neither unit is specified as an outdoor or ruggedized device; both require an enclosure if deployed outside. For borderline-temperature installations, the SL2428P's wider thermal range per spec offers more margin.
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