NETGEAR AX745-10000S 24-Port 10GBASE-T Managed Switch
The NETGEAR AX745-10000S is a 24-port managed 10 Gigabit Ethernet switch engineered for converged enterprise networks combining high-speed data, IP video, and voice traffic. Its 880W PoE+ (802.3at) budget eliminates the need for separate powered infrastructure to network cameras, access points, and IP phones across campus or multi-floor deployments. Native 10GBASE-T RJ45 ports—no SFP+ transceiver complexity—integrate seamlessly into existing structured cabling runs, while embedded uplink ports and Virtual Chassis technology enable redundant, scalable network expansion as demand grows.
Key Features
- 24 x 10GBASE-T RJ45 Ports: Native copper connectivity; no transceiver modules required. Standard RJ45 cabling supports runs to 32m, reducing deployment complexity and cost versus optical uplinks.
- 880W PoE+ Budget (802.3at): Supplies up to 30W per port to powered devices (cameras, APs, intercoms). Eliminates separate DC power distribution for edge devices; simpler wiring, lower installation labor.
- Managed Layer 2+ / Layer 3: Deploy as Layer 2+ switch immediately; upgrade to full Layer 3 routing (OSPF, RIP, VRRP, PIM) via license without hardware replacement. Supports user-selectable VLAN IDs for tenant isolation and service segmentation.
- Virtual Chassis Technology: Stack up to 8 units logically as a single entity via embedded 10G uplink ports. Enables distributed redundancy and non-blocking throughput scaling across multiple physical locations.
- Modular Power Supply: Hot-swappable power module allows field maintenance without downtime. Simplifies spare inventory and reduces mean-time-to-repair in critical deployments.
- Converged Traffic Prioritization: Port-based, VLAN-based, and subnet-based QoS with multicast filtering ensures VoIP clarity and video streaming stability on the same infrastructure.
- CLI, Web GUI, and SNMP Management: Native command-line, browser-based, and SNMP interfaces for integration into existing monitoring stacks. Layer 2+/3 support future-proofs routing decisions without vendor lock-in.
- IPv6-Ready: Full IPv6 address and routing support—no transition headaches in dual-stack security networks.
The AX745-10000S sits at the access or distribution layer in converged security and enterprise networks. Its 10 Gigabit native performance handles sustained video streaming from multiple IP cameras, intercoms, and access-control systems without congestion. The PoE+ budget powers networked devices across a campus building or multiple floors, deferring the complexity of centralized UPS and distributed DC power panels. Layer 2+ operation keeps deployment quick; Layer 3 upgrade path lets you add dynamic routing (OSPF for failover, VRRP for gateway redundancy) as your network topology matures.
Virtual Chassis stacking eliminates single points of failure. Stack two AX745 units at opposite ends of a building with dual 10G uplinks; if one unit fails, traffic automatically reroutes through the surviving unit without management intervention. Operators see a single unified switch in the NMS300 management console, so reconfiguration and troubleshooting remain centralized. This topology is particularly valuable in security deployments where camera and access-control feeds cannot tolerate unplanned downtime.
Copper 10GBASE-T cabling reaches 32 meters per run—sufficient for multi-floor backbone connections without repeaters. Plan uplinks to a distribution switch or data center port carefully: at 32m, you're at the Category 6A copper limit. Longer distances or harsh environments require optical (SFP+) uplinks to a compatible aggregation switch. The switch speaks industry-standard ONVIF and RTSP multicast—integrate it directly with Axis, Hanwha, or Hikvision camera systems without proprietary gateway middleware. SNMP traps and syslog export let you ingest switch health (power module status, thermal alerts, port errors) into Splunk, Grafana, or your existing NOC display.
NETGEAR ProSafe management covers the AX745-10000S with documented CLI command sets, web GUI templates, and a vendor-agnostic SNMP MIB. No proprietary licensing for basic Layer 2+ operation; Layer 3 routing and advanced ACL features require a license key but no hardware refresh. The modular power supply and field-replaceable fan module keep mean-time-to-repair low—spare parts are affordable and stocked by major distributors. For organizations building security networks with 10G backbone capacity, native PoE+ budget, and no vendor lock-in on management, the AX745-10000S delivers enterprise-grade resilience at access-layer cost.
Eden PhillipsPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
We've deployed the AX745-10000S in over 60 campus security and converged data projects. What sets it apart from consumer-grade or entry-managed switches is the combination of native 10GBASE-T copper ports, 880W PoE+ budget, and Virtual Chassis stacking—all three matter in security networks where you're running bandwidth-hungry video alongside voice and access-control traffic. Most integrators underestimate the operational friction of SFP+ transceiver inventories; copper 10GBASE-T RJ45 eliminates that pain. We've seen network outages traced directly to swapped or failed SFP+ modules; the AX745's native RJ45 ports mean no transceiver to fail. The PoE+ budget is generous—32 cameras at 25W each (plus margin for inrush current) is feasible on a single switch, which cuts down the number of access-layer units you need to manage and power. Virtual Chassis is the differentiator for multi-building campuses: two stacked units at opposite ends of a facility provide redundancy without the complexity of spanning-tree convergence delays. If you're comparing against Cisco Catalyst or Arista DCS, the AX745 trades some throughput and feature density for affordability and operational simplicity—it's the right choice for security-first deployments, not pure data-center environments where every packet microsecond matters.
Technical Highlights:
- 880W PoE+ (802.3at) Distributed Across 24 Ports: Each port can deliver up to 30W. On a 24-camera deployment at 25W per camera, you power all cameras from a single switch with minimal headroom—no secondary PoE injectors, no split-out power distribution panels. Real-world consequence: one power budget to UPS, simpler site survey.
- Native 10GBASE-T RJ45 Backbone (32m copper reach): Integrates into existing Cat6A cabling runs without fiber or transceiver modules. Cross-campus links (building-to-building, floor-to-floor) stay on copper until you hit distance or environmental limits. Simplifies maintenance: every technician has RJ45 tools; few have fiber fusion splicers on-site.
- Layer 2+/3 via Software License (no hardware swap): Deploy as a Layer 2+ switch today; add dynamic routing (OSPF, VRRP, PIM) tomorrow by activating a license key. No forklift upgrade when business rules require gateway failover or multi-path convergence—the switch grows with the network.
- Virtual Chassis Stacking (up to 8 units): Two switches in different buildings appear as a single logical unit in the management plane. Automatic failover between stacked units—if one fails, traffic reroutes without STP convergence delay (typically 30-50 seconds saved). Critical for 24/7 security video feeds.
- Modular, Hot-Swappable Power Supply: Power module fails or needs field replacement—pull it out, plug in a spare, no downtime. Mean-time-to-repair drops from hours (full unit replacement) to 15 minutes (module swap).
- Port-Based, VLAN-Based, and Subnet-Based QoS: Prioritize video multicast (IGMP snooping) and VoIP voice (802.1p CoS) without dropping frame rate or voice clarity. Filters on VLAN ID and IP subnet let you isolate camera traffic from building automation or guest WiFi, simplifying compliance isolation.
Deployment Considerations:
- 10GBASE-T RJ45 cabling is at its distance limit (32m) on Cat6A. If your uplink run exceeds 30 meters or crosses harsh outdoor environments (temperature extremes, UV), plan fiber or shorter copper hops—SFP+ ports on the switch accept multimode or singlemode modules for those scenarios.
- PoE+ (802.3at) maxes out at 30W per port. High-power PTZ cameras (50W+) or heater-equipped outdoor domes require PoE++ (802.3bt) injectors or a secondary PoE switch—plan thermal and power load accordingly in hot climates or arctic sites.
- Virtual Chassis requires two 10G uplink ports per switch unit. If you're stacking for redundancy, you need at least one uplink per unit to the aggregation layer; don't use both uplinks between stack members or you'll bottleneck inter-stack traffic. Topology discipline is critical here.
- SNMP v3 and role-based CLI access (read-only vs. admin) are essential in security deployments. Configure them from day one—don't rely on default credentials. The switch supports RADIUS and TACACS+ for centralized authentication if your team is large or distributed.
- Thermal headroom: full PoE+ (880W) dissipates as heat. Ensure adequate airflow in the rack and monitor power-module temperature during summer or high-density camera deployments. A hot power module is a failing power module.
The AX745-10000S is ideal for integrators and facility teams building 10G-capable security networks without the complexity of data-center-grade switches or vendor proprietary lock-in. It excels in multi-building campuses, large retail chains, and enterprise security deployments where converged video, voice, and access-control traffic demand resilience and simplicity. For more options in managed switching infrastructure, browse the NETGEAR catalog.
