Transition Networks SM24DP4XA-NA vs Comnet CWX28F4T24MPB: Specification Comparison
Both the Transition Networks SM24DP4XA-NA and the Comnet CWX28F4T24MPB are 28-port Gigabit managed switches targeted at physical-security and enterprise LAN infrastructure. The SM24DP4XA-NA is spec'd as a Layer 2/3 fiber-aggregation and backbone switch with dual AC/DC power input. The CWX28F4T24MPB is a commercial-grade edge switch with 24 PoE copper ports and 4 fiber uplinks delivering a 540 W PoE budget. A buyer choosing between them is weighing PoE-powered edge access against non-PoE aggregation and distribution.
In This Guide
- How do port layout and throughput capacity compare?
- Which switch can power cameras and access-control devices directly, and what are the power input options?
- How do the two switches compare on compliance, security features, and network management?
- Which should you choose: the SM24DP4XA-NA or the CWX28F4T24MPB?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
How do port layout and throughput capacity compare?
The SM24DP4XA-NA provides 28 Gigabit ports total. The spec sheet does not break those 28 ports into a copper/fiber split, and SFP slot count is listed as '00,' leaving the exact fiber uplink count unspecified per the available data. Layer 2/3 switching is confirmed, and Jumbo Frame support is listed at 1518–4776 bytes. Maximum switching throughput is not stated in the provided specs.
The CWX28F4T24MPB has a defined port architecture: 24 × 10/100/1000 Mbps copper RJ-45 ports plus 4 fiber slots, with a published maximum speed of 10,000 Mbps (10 Gbps), suggesting the fiber uplinks operate at 10G. Jumbo frame capacity and aggregate switching throughput are not stated in the provided specs.
For a buyer who needs a documented copper/fiber split and a confirmed 10 Gbps uplink tier, the CWX28F4T24MPB supplies those numbers. For a buyer who needs Layer 3 routing between VLANs at the distribution layer, the SM24DP4XA-NA is the only unit here with a confirmed L3 designation; the CWX28F4T24MPB's routing capability is not specified.
Which switch can power cameras and access-control devices directly, and what are the power input options?
The CWX28F4T24MPB is the only unit with PoE capability in this comparison. It provides up to 90 W per port and a total PoE budget of 540 W across its 24 copper ports. This allows it to power IP cameras, access readers, intercoms, and wireless APs directly without external injectors or mid-span power supplies. The power input source and voltage range for the switch itself are not stated in the provided specs.
The SM24DP4XA-NA has no PoE capability listed in its specifications. It cannot deliver power to connected devices. Its distinguishing power feature is the dual AC/DC input (110–240 VAC or 24–60 VDC), which makes it compatible with generator-backed panels, 48 V DC telecom plants, and UPS-fed enclosures—configurations common in hardened or critical-infrastructure deployments. The CWX28F4T24MPB does not publish an equivalent dual-input spec.
A buyer powering IP endpoints directly should select the CWX28F4T24MPB. A buyer deploying into a mixed AC/DC power environment or seeking generator/UPS resilience on the switch itself should note the SM24DP4XA-NA's dual-input advantage; the CWX28F4T24MPB's power-input resilience is unspecified.
How do the two switches compare on compliance, security features, and network management?
The CWX28F4T24MPB carries TAA (Trade Agreements Act) and NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) compliance certifications. For federal, state, and municipal projects—as well as any deployment under NDAA Section 889 restrictions on covered equipment—this is a hard procurement requirement. It also carries a 5-Year Limited Warranty. No equivalent compliance certifications or warranty term are stated for the SM24DP4XA-NA in the provided specs.
The SM24DP4XA-NA documents a broader security-management feature set: IEEE 802.1X port-based authentication, RADIUS and TACACS+ AAA integration, SSH and SSL encrypted management sessions, DHCP Relay, and DHCP Option 82. VLAN support is confirmed. These features support zero-trust segmentation and centralized identity management in enterprise and multi-domain security deployments. The CWX28F4T24MPB does not list equivalent authentication or encrypted-management protocols in the provided specs.
Projects with TAA/NDAA procurement gates favor the CWX28F4T24MPB. Projects requiring documented AAA integration and encrypted CLI/web management favor the SM24DP4XA-NA. Neither unit's full management software ecosystem is described in the provided specs.
Which should you choose: the SM24DP4XA-NA or the CWX28F4T24MPB?
Our take: The CWX28F4T24MPB is the stronger choice when the deployment requires PoE-powered edge devices, TAA/NDAA compliance, or a documented 5-year warranty. Its 540 W PoE budget at up to 90 W per port eliminates external injectors for up to 24 cameras or access-control devices, its 10 Gbps fiber uplinks provide headroom for video-dense segments, and its TAA/NDAA certifications satisfy federal and government procurement requirements—none of which the SM24DP4XA-NA can match on available specs. The SM24DP4XA-NA is the stronger choice when the deployment demands Layer 3 inter-VLAN routing at the distribution layer, dual AC/DC power input (110–240 VAC or 24–60 VDC) for generator or DC-plant resilience, and AAA security integration via RADIUS, TACACS+, and SSH/SSL—none of which are documented for the CWX28F4T24MPB. Choose the CWX28F4T24MPB for PoE edge access on compliant government or commercial sites; choose the SM24DP4XA-NA for hardened backbone or aggregation roles where power-input flexibility and L3 security management matter more than PoE.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | Transition Networks SM24DP4XA-NA | Comnet CWX28F4T24MPB |
|---|---|---|
| Product Type | Managed Switch | Managed Switch |
| Total Ports | 28 | 28 |
| Copper Ports | Not specified | 24 × 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| Fiber/Uplink Ports | Not specified | 4 |
| Maximum Uplink Speed | Not specified | 10,000 Mbps (10 Gbps) |
| Gigabit Speed | Yes | Yes |
| PoE Support | Not specified | Yes |
| PoE Per-Port Maximum | — | 90 W |
| Total PoE Budget | — | 540 W |
| Switching Layer | Layer 2/3 | Not specified |
| Power Input | AC/DC Dual (110–240 VAC or 24–60 VDC) | Not specified |
| Authentication Protocols | 802.1X, RADIUS, TACACS+ | Not specified |
| Encrypted Management | SSH, SSL | Not specified |
| VLAN Support | Yes | Not specified |
| Jumbo Frame Support | 1518–4776 bytes | Not specified |
| Compliance | Not specified | TAA & NDAA Compliant |
| Warranty | Not specified | 5-Year Limited |
| Mounting | Not specified | 19" rack |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the SM24DP4XA-NA or the CWX28F4T24MPB?
The CWX28F4T24MPB is the stronger choice when the deployment requires PoE-powered edge devices, TAA/NDAA compliance, or a documented 5-year warranty. Its 540 W PoE budget at up to 90 W per port eliminates external injectors for up to 24 cameras or access-control devices, its 10 Gbps fiber uplinks provide headroom for video-dense segments, and its TAA/NDAA certifications satisfy federal and government procurement requirements—none of which the SM24DP4XA-NA can match on available specs. The SM24DP4XA-NA is the stronger choice when the deployment demands Layer 3 inter-VLAN routing at the distribution layer, dual AC/DC power input (110–240 VAC or 24–60 VDC) for generator or DC-plant resilience, and AAA security integration via RADIUS, TACACS+, and SSH/SSL—none of which are documented for the CWX28F4T24MPB. Choose the CWX28F4T24MPB for PoE edge access on compliant government or commercial sites; choose the SM24DP4XA-NA for hardened backbone or aggregation roles where power-input flexibility and L3 security management matter more than PoE.
Can either switch power IP cameras without a separate PoE injector?
Only the CWX28F4T24MPB supports PoE. It delivers up to 90 W per port with a 540 W total budget across its 24 copper ports, so it can power IP cameras, intercoms, and access readers directly. The SM24DP4XA-NA has no PoE capability listed in its specifications; cameras connected to it would require separate PoE injectors or mid-span power supplies.
Which switch is required for a federal or government project with NDAA restrictions?
The CWX28F4T24MPB is listed as both TAA and NDAA compliant in its specifications, making it eligible for federal, state, and municipal procurements governed by those statutes. No TAA or NDAA compliance certifications are listed in the SM24DP4XA-NA's provided specifications, so it cannot be confirmed as meeting those procurement requirements based on available data.
Which switch is better suited for a distribution or aggregation layer in a multi-VLAN security network?
The SM24DP4XA-NA is spec'd as a Layer 2/3 aggregation and distribution switch with VLAN support, IEEE 802.1X, RADIUS, TACACS+, SSH, and SSL—features aligned with distribution-layer roles that segment camera, access-control, and IT traffic across VLANs with centralized authentication. The CWX28F4T24MPB's Layer 2/3 capability and AAA integration are not documented in the provided specifications, and its 540 W PoE budget and 24-port copper layout position it as an edge-access switch rather than an aggregation device.
More Network Switch Comparisons
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