Cradlepoint TAA-MAA1-1700120B-NA 4-Port Gigabit Mobile Switch
Overview
The Cradlepoint TAA-MAA1-1700120B-NA is a 4-port Gigabit integrated switch purpose-built for mobile and in-vehicle network deployments where distributed Ethernet switching is critical. This accessory module integrates directly into Cradlepoint mobile broadband platforms, specifically the IBR1700 Series wireless routers, to extend reliable wired connectivity across multiple devices in field operations, vehicle fleets, and temporary deployment scenarios. The TAA-MAA1-1700120B-NA (often searched as TAA MAA1 1700120B NA) bridges the gap between wireless broadband and hardwired endpoints, eliminating the need for secondary switches in space-constrained environments.
Key Features
- 4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports: Full Gigabit (1000 Mbps) throughput per port delivers the data rates needed for simultaneous multi-device connectivity—critical when deploying cameras, access points, or IoT sensors that cannot tolerate contention on a single wireless link.
- Fast Ethernet & Gigabit Support: Backward compatibility with Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps) endpoints means you can mix older and newer hardware without renegotiating infrastructure. Devices auto-negotiate to the fastest supported speed on each port.
- Integrated Module Form Factor: No external footprint beyond the router itself—eliminates cable clutter and reduces the weight/power budget impact in vehicles or portable field boxes. Integration means fewer power connections and simpler commissioning compared to standalone switches.
- IEEE 802.11n Compatible Integration: Seamless handoff between wireless (802.11n from the IBR1700) and wired domains; devices can roam or load-balance traffic between radio and Ethernet without interruption, important for mobile surveillance and real-time field communications.
- Mobile Networking Deployment Profile: Engineered for the thermal and vibration stresses of vehicle mounting and the power constraints of field installations. Designed to operate reliably in environments where conventional rack-mount switches are impractical.
- Straightforward Provisioning: Works transparently with the IBR1700's configuration tools—no separate management interface or complex spanning-tree tuning required. Plug-and-play operation reduces field deployment time.
Integration & Compatibility
The TAA-MAA1-1700120B-NA integrates exclusively with Cradlepoint IBR1700 Series wireless routers and compatible mobile networking platforms. It does not function as a standalone switch. Verify IBR1700 compatibility with your router model before purchase—this is a tightly coupled hardware accessory, not a universal Ethernet switch. For deployments using other Cradlepoint router families, a different switching module may be required; consult your router documentation or contact Cradlepoint's technical support.
When integrated, the switch provides transparent Ethernet bridging across all four ports. Traffic between the IBR1700's wireless interface and wired Ethernet devices routes automatically; no VLAN or bridge configuration is typically needed for basic deployments, though advanced network segmentation is possible if your security architecture demands it.
When to Choose a Different Model
If you require more than 4 wired endpoints, or if you need to extend switching beyond the IBR1700's integrated capacity, consider a standalone Gigabit Ethernet switch paired with your router instead. A standalone switch provides greater flexibility in port count and form factor, though it introduces additional power and cabling overhead—a real constraint in mobile deployments. If your endpoint devices are primarily wireless, adding a wired switch may be unnecessary; evaluate your actual hardwired device count before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the TAA-MAA1-1700120B-NA work as a standalone switch?
A: No. The TAA-MAA1-1700120B-NA is an integrated module for IBR1700 Series routers only and does not function independently. It requires an active IBR1700 to operate.
Q: What is the maximum throughput across all four ports simultaneously?
A: Each port supports full Gigabit (1000 Mbps) throughput. Total aggregate performance depends on the IBR1700's internal backplane and WAN link capacity; the switch itself does not bottleneck Gigabit traffic between wired devices.
Q: Can I use this switch in extreme temperature or dusty vehicle environments?
A: Yes—the TAA-MAA1-1700120B-NA is designed for mobile and in-vehicle deployments. Confirm operating temperature and environmental specifications in the product datasheet for your exact use case.
Q: Will adding this switch increase power consumption of the IBR1700?
A: Yes, but minimally. Active Gigabit switching adds modest DC current draw; verify that your power supply (typically 12VDC or 24VDC in vehicle installations) has adequate headroom for all integrated modules.
Q: Is there a configuration interface for the switch?
A: No separate interface exists. The switch operates transparently; all configuration is managed through the IBR1700's standard web UI or CLI. For VLAN or advanced bridging, consult the IBR1700 documentation.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Cradlepoint TAA-MAA1-1700120B-NA solves a specific problem: you've deployed an IBR1700 mobile router in a vehicle or field site, but you have more hardwired endpoints than the router's built-in Ethernet ports can handle. Rather than daisy-chaining secondary switches or relying entirely on wireless fallback, the TAA-MAA1-1700120B-NA provides four additional Gigabit ports in a compact module that integrates directly into the IBR1700's form factor.
Technical Highlights:
- 4x Gigabit Ethernet Ports: Each port delivers full 1000 Mbps throughput. In vehicle deployments with cameras, access control readers, or fleet management terminals, this eliminates the bottleneck of sharing a single external Ethernet jack. Multiple devices can wire directly to the switch without speed negotiation penalties.
- Transparent Bridging (802.11n Aware): The switch doesn't require you to provision separate bridge profiles or VLANs for basic deployments. Wired and wireless endpoints on the IBR1700 see a single logical network. If your architecture demands segmentation, the IBR1700's router-level controls apply to all four ports uniformly.
- Zero External Footprint: Unlike a standalone gigabit switch (which adds weight, cable runs, and a separate 12V or PoE power feed), the TAA-MAA1-1700120B-NA is modular. You gain four ports without expanding the equipment envelope—critical in vehicles where space and cable routing are already constrained.
Deployment Considerations:
- IBR1700 Dependency: This is not a universal Ethernet switch. It will not work with other Cradlepoint router families, other brands' gateways, or as a standalone module. Verify your platform is an IBR1700 before committing to this accessory.
- Power Budget Check: Integrated Gigabit switching adds DC load to the IBR1700's power supply. In vehicle installations where power comes from a 12V or 24V auxiliary supply, confirm that your supply has 2–3A headroom after the router's base draw. Undersized supplies will cause brownout resets.
- No PoE Injection: The four ports are passive Ethernet only—they do not inject Power over Ethernet. If any of your endpoints require PoE (cameras, wireless access points, IP phones), you must add a separate PoE injector or midspan on those runs, increasing cabling complexity.
Best suited for: mobile surveillance fleets where multiple hardwired sensors (DVR, thermal camera, HVAC monitor) must coexist with wireless backhaul; temporary incident command posts in vehicles; and field construction sites where a dedicated gateway with extended wired reach is needed but rack-mount switching is impractical.
