TP-Link TL-SG1218MP 18-Port Gigabit PoE+ Smart Switch
Overview
The TL-SG1218MP is a 1U rackmount network switch designed to power and connect mid-scale camera and wireless deployments. It provides 16 Gigabit PoE+ ports (IEEE 802.3at/af) with 250W total budget—enough to run approximately 16 cameras at 15W each, or a mixed load of IP cameras and wireless access points. The two additional non-PoE Gigabit ports and dual SFP combo slots support uplink flexibility without consuming power budget.
Key Specifications
Port Configuration: 16× Gigabit PoE+ ports, 2× Gigabit non-PoE ports, 2× combo Gigabit SFP slots. This split design isolates PoE-consuming cameras from uplink infrastructure, reducing power contention.
PoE Power Delivery: 250W shared budget across all 16 PoE ports. Each port supports both PoE (IEEE 802.3af, up to 15.4W) and PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at, up to 30W), with automatic detection. PoE injector alternatives are unnecessary for direct-attached camera runs under the 250W ceiling.
Management Features: Easy Smart firmware offers VLAN support (port-based, tag-based, MTU-based), QoS per port, IGMP snooping for multicast traffic, and PoE Auto Recovery—automatic port reset after power anomalies. Web and utility management interfaces support remote configuration without SNMP expertise.
Form Factor: 1U 19-inch rack steel chassis. Dimensions not specified in available evidence; verify mounting clearance in your rack before ordering.
Deployment Context
Suitable for small-to-medium camera clusters (8–16 units, ~15W each), branch office IP camera + wireless AP hybrid installations, or warehouse automation environments with distributed IP devices. The 250W cap makes it unsuitable for high-power PTZ cameras or dense high-performance PoE+ loads; verify total wattage of all attached devices before deployment.
Compatibility Notes
Works with any standard IP camera or PoE-powered device supporting IEEE 802.3af or 802.3at. No vendor lock-in or special driver requirements.
