Ubiquiti USW-16-POE vs Allied Telesis IE340-20GP-980: Specification Comparison
The Ubiquiti USW-16-POE and Allied Telesis AT-IE340-20GP-980 are both 16-port Gigabit PoE managed switches targeting networked device deployments such as IP cameras and wireless access points. The USW-16-POE is a 1U rack-mount unit drawing standard AC power, while the AT-IE340-20GP-980 is a compact DIN-rail industrial switch running on wide-range DC input. The two models are legitimately cross-shopped by installers choosing between an IT-closet architecture and a panel-mounted industrial deployment.
In This Guide
- Which switch delivers more PoE power and how many devices can it realistically drive?
- How do the two switches compare on fabric capacity, forwarding rate, and VLAN scalability?
- Which unit is better suited to harsh or non-standard installation environments?
- Which should you choose: the USW-16-POE or the IE340-20GP-980?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
Which switch delivers more PoE power and how many devices can it realistically drive?
The AT-IE340-20GP-980 provides a maximum PoE power budget of 240W across its 16 PoE-enabled ports, supporting up to 16 ports at 15W (PoE) or 8 ports simultaneously at 30W (PoE+). Its PoE++ designation indicates support for higher per-port wattage allocations within that 240W envelope. The USW-16-POE, by contrast, specifies a total PoE budget of 42W across all 16 RJ45 ports using the PoE+ (802.3at) standard. That 42W total averages roughly 2.6W per port if all 16 are loaded simultaneously, which in practice limits the switch to powering a small number of devices at their rated draw — approximately 8 to 10 low-wattage access points per the product's own documentation. For deployments with multiple full-wattage PoE cameras or PTZ units, the 240W budget of the AT-IE340-20GP-980 is substantially more permissive.
Uplink capacity also differs: the USW-16-POE includes 2 SFP uplink ports, while the AT-IE340-20GP-980 provides 4 SFP uplink ports, offering greater aggregation redundancy or multi-uplink flexibility in larger topologies.
How do the two switches compare on fabric capacity, forwarding rate, and VLAN scalability?
The AT-IE340-20GP-980 specifies a switching fabric of 40Gbps and a forwarding rate of 29.7Mpps. The USW-16-POE specifies a switching capacity of 36Gbps with 18Gbps non-blocking throughput and a forwarding rate of 27Mpps. Both switches support wire-speed Gigabit forwarding for their 16 access ports plus uplinks, so real-world traffic performance will be comparable at typical access-layer loads. The AT-IE340-20GP-980 has a modest edge in raw fabric and forwarding figures.
On VLAN support, the USW-16-POE specifies support for 1,000 VLANs — the AT-IE340-20GP-980 datasheet as provided does not state a VLAN count. Buyers requiring segmented multi-tenant or multi-zone VLAN architectures should verify AT-IE340-20GP-980 VLAN capacity directly with Allied Telesis.
Which unit is better suited to harsh or non-standard installation environments?
The USW-16-POE is a conventional 1U rack-mount device in an SGCC steel enclosure, drawing 100–240V AC from a standard IEC outlet. Its rated operating temperature range is -5 to 40°C. It requires a conditioned IT room or equipment rack environment. Weight is 2.8kg without mounting brackets. Cooling method is not specified in the provided specifications.
The AT-IE340-20GP-980 is designed explicitly for industrial deployment. It mounts on a DIN rail (panel-mount), measures 91×139×153mm — considerably smaller than a 1U rack shelf — and operates from an 18–57V DC wide-range input, compatible with industrial DC bus systems and UPS-backed DC panels without an AC inverter. It is fanless, eliminating moving-part failure in dusty or vibration-prone environments. Its enclosure is aluminum/sheet metal rated to IP30, providing basic protection against solid-particle ingress. Maximum power consumption is 271W (including full PoE load). Operating temperature range is not stated in the provided specifications for the AT-IE340-20GP-980 — buyers should verify this with Allied Telesis, particularly for outdoor cabinet or transit installations. Weight is 2.34kg (DIN rail configuration).
Which should you choose: the USW-16-POE or the IE340-20GP-980?
Our take: The AT-IE340-20GP-980 is the stronger choice when PoE power budget and industrial mounting flexibility are the primary requirements. Its 240W PoE budget is nearly six times the USW-16-POE's 42W, allowing all 16 ports to power full-wattage devices simultaneously rather than rationing a shared 42W pool. Its 40Gbps fabric and 29.7Mpps forwarding rate modestly exceed the USW-16-POE's 36Gbps/27Mpps figures, and four SFP uplinks versus two expand aggregation options. The fanless, DIN-rail, wide-range DC design makes it the only candidate of the two for panel-mount or industrial enclosure installations. Conversely, the USW-16-POE is the appropriate choice for standard AC-powered IT rack environments where PoE load is light, where Ubiquiti's UniFi management ecosystem is already deployed, and where the specified 1,000-VLAN capacity is a requirement — the AT-IE340-20GP-980 does not state a VLAN count in the provided specifications.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | Ubiquiti USW-16-POE | Allied Telesis IE340-20GP-980 |
|---|---|---|
| PoE-Enabled Ports | 16 (RJ45, PoE+) | 16 (RJ45, PoE++) |
| Total PoE Power Budget | 42W | 240W |
| PoE Standard | PoE+ (802.3at) | PoE / PoE+ (up to PoE++) |
| SFP Uplink Ports | 2 | 4 |
| Switching Fabric | 36Gbps | 40Gbps |
| Non-Blocking Throughput | 18Gbps | — |
| Forwarding Rate | 27Mpps | 29.7Mpps |
| VLAN Support | 1,000 | — |
| Mount Type | 1U Rack Mount | DIN Rail |
| Power Input | 100–240V AC, 50/60Hz | 18–57V DC |
| Max Power Consumption | 60W (PSU rated) | 271W |
| Cooling | — | Fanless |
| Enclosure | SGCC Steel | Aluminium / Sheet Metal |
| Enclosure Rating | — | IP30 |
| Dimensions (mm) | 442 × 200 × 44 | 91 × 139 × 153 |
| Weight | 2.8kg (6.2lb) | 2.34kg DIN / 2.23kg Wall |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the USW-16-POE or the IE340-20GP-980?
The AT-IE340-20GP-980 is the stronger choice when PoE power budget and industrial mounting flexibility are the primary requirements. Its 240W PoE budget is nearly six times the USW-16-POE's 42W, allowing all 16 ports to power full-wattage devices simultaneously rather than rationing a shared 42W pool. Its 40Gbps fabric and 29.7Mpps forwarding rate modestly exceed the USW-16-POE's 36Gbps/27Mpps figures, and four SFP uplinks versus two expand aggregation options. The fanless, DIN-rail, wide-range DC design makes it the only candidate of the two for panel-mount or industrial enclosure installations. Conversely, the USW-16-POE is the appropriate choice for standard AC-powered IT rack environments where PoE load is light, where Ubiquiti's UniFi management ecosystem is already deployed, and where the specified 1,000-VLAN capacity is a requirement — the AT-IE340-20GP-980 does not state a VLAN count in the provided specifications.
Is the USW-16-POE or the AT-IE340-20GP-980 better for powering multiple IP cameras?
The AT-IE340-20GP-980 is substantially better suited for multi-camera PoE deployments. Its 240W total PoE budget can support 16 cameras drawing up to 15W each simultaneously, or 8 cameras at 30W each. The USW-16-POE's 42W total budget limits real simultaneous PoE delivery to a small subset of ports at full wattage — adequate for a handful of low-power cameras or access points but not a full 16-port camera deployment.
Can either switch be installed in an outdoor cabinet or industrial panel without a rack?
The AT-IE340-20GP-980 is designed for exactly this use case: it mounts on a standard DIN rail, runs from 18–57V DC (compatible with industrial DC supplies), and uses a fanless aluminum enclosure rated IP30. The USW-16-POE requires a 1U equipment rack and a standard 100–240V AC outlet — it is not DIN-rail compatible and is not described as fanless or industrially hardened in the provided specifications.
Which switch is easier to integrate into an existing Ubiquiti UniFi network?
The USW-16-POE is a Ubiquiti product and is designed to be managed within the UniFi controller ecosystem. The AT-IE340-20GP-980 is an Allied Telesis product; the provided specifications do not describe compatibility with UniFi or any third-party management platform. Installers with existing Ubiquiti infrastructure should verify AT-IE340-20GP-980 management integration requirements directly with Allied Telesis before specifying it in a UniFi-managed environment.
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