Ubiquiti USW-PRO-24-POE vs Vivotek GEV-288A-370: Specification Comparison
Both the Ubiquiti USW-PRO-24-POE and the Vivotek AW-GEV-288A-370 are 1U rack-mount, 24-port Gigabit managed PoE switches targeting access-layer deployments in surveillance and enterprise networks. Each accepts 100–240VAC, delivers PoE across all 24 RJ-45 ports, and supports 802.1Q VLANs, QoS, and link aggregation. The comparison centers on three decision-critical axes: switching fabric and port throughput, PoE budget and port-power allocation, and management depth including platform-specific integration.
In This Guide
- Which switch delivers more headroom on switching fabric and forwarding throughput?
- How does PoE power budget and per-port power allocation differ between the two switches?
- Which switch offers deeper management and platform-specific integration for surveillance deployments?
- Which should you choose: the USW-PRO-24-POE or the GEV-288A-370?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
Which switch delivers more headroom on switching fabric and forwarding throughput?
The USW-PRO-24-POE specifies an 88 Gbps switching capacity with a 44 Gbps non-blocking throughput figure and a forwarding rate of 65 Mpps. The AW-GEV-288A-370 specifies 56 Gbps switching bandwidth and 41.7 Mpps forwarding capacity; a non-blocking throughput sub-figure is not stated in the provided specs.
The USW-PRO-24-POE also adds two 10G SFP+ uplink ports, raising total port bandwidth beyond the base 24-port Gigabit fabric. The AW-GEV-288A-370 provides four Gigabit Combo ports (RJ-45/SFP) as uplinks, topping out at 1G per uplink. For aggregating multiple access switches into a core, the 10G uplinks on the USW-PRO-24-POE represent a meaningful architectural difference.
MAC address table depth is not specified for the USW-PRO-24-POE; the AW-GEV-288A-370 states an 8K MAC table. Jumbo frame support (9,216 bytes) is specified for the AW-GEV-288A-370; this figure is not provided for the USW-PRO-24-POE.
How does PoE power budget and per-port power allocation differ between the two switches?
The USW-PRO-24-POE carries a 400W PoE output budget across all 24 ports, compliant with IEEE 802.3bt (PoE++), with a maximum of 30W noted per the provided power spec field. The total power supply is rated at 450W (50W switch consumption + 400W PoE output).
The AW-GEV-288A-370 provides a 370W total PoE budget with a split allocation: ports 1–20 deliver up to 30W each (802.3af/at, PoE+), while ports 21–24 deliver up to 90W each (802.3bt, 4-pair PoE). This asymmetric design benefits deployments mixing standard IP cameras on ports 1–20 with high-draw devices such as PTZ cameras, thermal cameras, or multi-radio APs on ports 21–24. AC input is rated 100–240VAC at 50–60 Hz.
The USW-PRO-24-POE's 400W budget exceeds the AW-GEV-288A-370's 370W total, but the Vivotek model's four 90W ports provide burst headroom per-port that the Ubiquiti spec does not explicitly enumerate at that level. Buyers powering multiple high-draw PoE++ endpoints should verify per-port maximum against device draw for both models.
Which switch offers deeper management and platform-specific integration for surveillance deployments?
The USW-PRO-24-POE is managed via the UniFi controller ecosystem (web/cloud/on-prem). The provided specs cite Ethernet management, VLAN support for up to 1,000 VLANs, NDAA Section 889 compliance, and certifications including CE, FCC, IC, and Anatel. Specific Layer 2/3 protocol lists (STP variants, RADIUS, ACL detail) are not enumerated in the provided specs.
The AW-GEV-288A-370 provides an extensive Layer 2 feature set documented in the specs: IEEE 802.1D/w/s spanning tree, LACP, 4,096 VLAN IDs (802.1Q), Q-in-Q, private VLAN edge, voice VLAN, IP subnet-based VLAN, IGMP/MLD snooping, DHCP server/relay/snooping, RADIUS/TACACS+ authentication, SSL, IP source guard, storm control, port security, SNMP v1/v2c/v3, RMON groups 1/2/3/9, LLDP-MED, S-Flow, and port mirroring.
The AW-GEV-288A-370 also includes Vivotek-specific surveillance management features: auto-discovery of up to 256 Vivotek devices, PoE reboot/alive-check/scheduling, topology/floor/Google Map views, camera configuration export/import, extended PoE mode up to 250m at 10 Mbps, and per-device grouping and VLAN assignment. These features are exclusive to the Vivotek platform. The USW-PRO-24-POE does not include comparable camera-vendor-specific management in the provided specs.
Which should you choose: the USW-PRO-24-POE or the GEV-288A-370?
Our take: The USW-PRO-24-POE is the stronger choice when raw switching headroom and 10G uplink capacity are the primary requirements: its 88 Gbps fabric and 44 Gbps non-blocking throughput exceed the AW-GEV-288A-370's 56 Gbps bandwidth by 57%, its forwarding rate of 65 Mpps outpaces the Vivotek's 41.7 Mpps, and its dual 10G SFP+ uplinks provide an order-of-magnitude more uplink bandwidth than the AW-GEV-288A-370's four 1G combo ports. It also carries a 400W PoE budget (versus 370W) and holds NDAA Section 889 compliance. Conversely, the AW-GEV-288A-370 is purpose-built for Vivotek surveillance deployments: it auto-discovers up to 256 Vivotek cameras, provides four dedicated 90W PoE++ ports for PTZ or thermal devices, exposes a broader documented Layer 2 feature set (4,096 VLANs, TACACS+, RMON, S-Flow), and carries a UL listing absent from the Ubiquiti spec. Buyers running mixed Vivotek camera fleets with high-draw PTZ endpoints should favor the AW-GEV-288A-370; those building UniFi or multi-vendor networks requiring high throughput and 10G uplinks should favor the USW-PRO-24-POE.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | Ubiquiti USW-PRO-24-POE | Vivotek GEV-288A-370 |
|---|---|---|
| Device Type | Managed PoE Switch | Managed PoE Switch |
| Form Factor | 1U Rack-mount | 1U Rack-mount |
| Total RJ-45 PoE Ports | 24 | 24 |
| Uplink Ports | 2× 10G SFP+ | 4× Gigabit Combo (RJ-45/SFP) |
| Total Ports | 26 (24+2 SFP+) | 28 (24 PoE + 4 Combo) |
| Switching Capacity | 88 Gbps | 56 Gbps |
| Non-blocking Throughput | 44 Gbps | — |
| Forwarding Rate | 65 Mpps | 41.7 Mpps |
| PoE Budget | 400W | 370W |
| Per-Port PoE Maximum | 802.3bt (PoE++); per-port max not specified beyond 30W field | Ports 1–20: 30W; Ports 21–24: 90W |
| PoE Standard | IEEE 802.3bt (PoE++) | IEEE 802.3af/at/bt |
| VLAN Support | Up to 1,000 VLANs | 4,096 VLAN IDs (802.1Q) |
| MAC Address Table | — | 8K |
| Operating Temperature | -5 to 40°C (23 to 104°F) | -10 to 50°C (14 to 122°F) |
| Dimensions (mm) | 442 × 285 × 44 | 442 × 44 × 211 |
| Weight | 4.3 kg (9.5 lb) | 3.2 kg |
| Power Supply | Internal, 450W (50W switch + 400W PoE) | Internal; AC input 100–240VAC, 50–60 Hz |
| NDAA Section 889 Compliant | Yes | — |
| Certifications | CE, FCC, IC, Anatel | UL, CE, UKCA, FCC, VCCI, LVD, ICES |
| Vivotek Device Auto-Discovery | — | Up to 256 devices |
| Extended PoE Mode (250m) | — | Yes (10 Mbps) |
| Warranty | Manufacturer Warranty (duration not specified) | 24 months |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the USW-PRO-24-POE or the GEV-288A-370?
The USW-PRO-24-POE is the stronger choice when raw switching headroom and 10G uplink capacity are the primary requirements: its 88 Gbps fabric and 44 Gbps non-blocking throughput exceed the AW-GEV-288A-370's 56 Gbps bandwidth by 57%, its forwarding rate of 65 Mpps outpaces the Vivotek's 41.7 Mpps, and its dual 10G SFP+ uplinks provide an order-of-magnitude more uplink bandwidth than the AW-GEV-288A-370's four 1G combo ports. It also carries a 400W PoE budget (versus 370W) and holds NDAA Section 889 compliance. Conversely, the AW-GEV-288A-370 is purpose-built for Vivotek surveillance deployments: it auto-discovers up to 256 Vivotek cameras, provides four dedicated 90W PoE++ ports for PTZ or thermal devices, exposes a broader documented Layer 2 feature set (4,096 VLANs, TACACS+, RMON, S-Flow), and carries a UL listing absent from the Ubiquiti spec. Buyers running mixed Vivotek camera fleets with high-draw PTZ endpoints should favor the AW-GEV-288A-370; those building UniFi or multi-vendor networks requiring high throughput and 10G uplinks should favor the USW-PRO-24-POE.
Is the USW-PRO-24-POE or the AW-GEV-288A-370 better for powering PTZ cameras that draw more than 30W?
The AW-GEV-288A-370 explicitly allocates four ports (21–24) at up to 90W each via 802.3bt 4-pair PoE, making it the documented choice for high-draw PTZ or thermal cameras. The USW-PRO-24-POE is rated 802.3bt (PoE++) but the provided specs do not state a per-port maximum above 30W for individual ports; verify the per-port ceiling against your camera's draw before deploying.
Which switch is better suited for a non-Vivotek or multi-vendor camera deployment?
The USW-PRO-24-POE is vendor-agnostic and integrates into the UniFi ecosystem, which supports cameras and APs from multiple manufacturers. The AW-GEV-288A-370's advanced management features—auto-discovery, topology view, PoE reboot, camera config export—are specific to Vivotek devices and provide less value in a mixed-brand environment. For multi-vendor deployments, the USW-PRO-24-POE is the more versatile option based on the provided specs.
Does either switch meet NDAA Section 889 compliance requirements for government or federally funded projects?
Yes—the USW-PRO-24-POE is explicitly listed as NDAA compliant in its provided specifications. NDAA Section 889 compliance is not stated anywhere in the AW-GEV-288A-370 specifications supplied; buyers with federal compliance requirements should confirm this status directly with Vivotek before specifying that model.
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