EnGenius ECS2512FP review: A powerful yet pricey 8-port cloud-enabled managed network switch

EnGenius ECS2512FP Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central

A network switch is a vital component in a local network, allowing one to connect multiple devices together. The toll of such hardware ranges between $ten and $one,000, only you could hands surpass that four-digit figure for enterprise apply. If y'all're wanting to connect your PC, panel, printer, TV, and some other smart devices to your router using cables, a network switch is a way to go.

EnGenius makes some of the more premium solutions, backed by its impressive cloud platform that lets you externally monitor and manage your network. Today, we're looking at the EnGenius ECS25112FP network switch, which offers an impressive pick of connections, besides as some other handy features that warrant such a premium price.

Does this production deserve a spot on our all-time managed network switches top list?

EnGenius ECS2512FP

Bottom line: If yous're hunting down a premium managed switch with 2.5Gb and 10Gb LAN ports, as well equally a massive PoE capacity, look no further than the EnGenius ECS2512FP.

The Expert

Massive 240W power limit
eight 2.5Gb RJ45 LAN ports
4 10Gb SFP+ fiber LAN ports
120Gbps capacity
Manage locally or via EnGenius Deject

The Bad

Expensive
Noisy
Requires cabinet

EnGenius ECS2512FP: Price and availability

The price of this network switch is largely what volition put off near potential buyers. It's non cheap. At $900, this is the toll of an entire PC (with GPU included!), merely you're getting plenty for the MSRP.

Not only is this 1 impressive piece of kit with advanced features more affordable switches only do not support, but you also get full cloud integration, should you desire to apply information technology.

EnGenius ECS2512FP: What you'll like

EnGenius ECS2512FP Source: Windows Fundamental

Category	EnGenius ECS2512FP
Type	Managed
Ports	8x 2.5Gb 4x 10Gb SFP+
PoE	802.3af/at/bt (max 240W)
RAM	512MB
Storage	128MB
Capacity	120 Gbps
Web support	✓
App support	✓

EnGenius ensures there's adequate packaging to go on its admission points and switches safety during transit and the ECS2512FP is no exception. You'll find it stored away safely inside a paper-thin box, which is great news if you lot're spending nearly $900. Inside is the managed switch itself, as well as a pocket-size box full of accessories.

EnGenius doesn't supply whatever RJ45 cabling or fiber, but you practise get mounting brackets and screws, also as a console cablevision for connecting to the switch via SSH. But since this is a cloud-supported managed switch, you likely won't require this physical connection every bit mostly everything can exist managed through the web admin GUIs.

EnGenius fifty-fifty has a few mobile apps out that let you monitor everything on the go. What helps bring the cost up for this managed network switch is the full PoE support across 8 2.5Gb LAN ports with an output capacity of 240W. Then in that location are an additional four 10Gb cobweb links available for creating loftier-speed connections betwixt hubs.

The EnGenius ECS2512FP has an impressive port selection and PoE capacity.

Hooking up all your computers and other devices to this network switch alone won't cause an issue since you lot take 512MB of RAM and a speed limit of 120Gbps. That's all a network switch is really, an extension atomic number 82 for network cables. Instead of relying on your Internet access provider-supplied router, you can use a single cable to a network switch such equally this for all your gear to pass through.

And yous don't terminate at that place. If y'all want to create a security organisation for your home or take some devices that can exist powered using a network switch with Ability-over-Ethernet (PoE), this switch has a capacity of 240W across eight ports. Then in that location'due south the actual administration of the ECS2512FP, which can be performed locally on the switch itself or using EnGenius Deject.

I recommend giving EnGenius Cloud a endeavour. The switch, like all EnGenius network products, comes with a ii-year license that unlocks everything on your account, merely thereafter you can continue using the cloud software without paying unless you want advanced features. Information technology'due south brilliant beingness able to monitor exactly what's connected and using your network.

EnGenius ECS2512FP: What you won't like

EnGenius ECS2512FP Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Fundamental

I've same the price, which is the biggest complaint here. If you're only not comfortable spending such an corporeality for a network switch, y'all'll want to consider other options (some from EnGenius if you actually want cloud admin back up). But if y'all want 10Gb SFP+ and 2.5Gb RJ45 ports, and a PoE capacity of 240W, this is the price you'll need to pay.

This switch is too noisy. Information technology's a rackmount switch and equally such should exist installed in a information chiffonier, fifty-fifty when used at home. If y'all're serious enough about splashing $900 on a switch, you should consider such an selection. The fans aren't as well loud, simply you volition notice them above PC case blowers when sitting nearby.

EnGenius ECS2512FP: Contest

EnGenius ECS1008P Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Cardinal

There are countless other network switches available, and you may observe some that are better suited to your needs. It all comes downward to how many ports you crave, at what speeds, and if you need to fiddle effectually with settings. The EnGenius is priced equally such because it's fully managed with cloud support, it has eight PoE 2.5Gb ports, equally well equally four 10Gb SFP+ fiber connections.

Netgear has the XS512EM, which has 12 10Gb LAN ports, besides every bit two 10Gb SFP+ ports. Information technology's managed with local software back up and is also best used inside a information cabinet. This switch costs $1,000, which is considerably more than the ECS2512FP and doesn't come up with PoE support.

Then in that location'due south the $799 unmanaged QNAP QSW-1208-8C with 12 10Gb SFP+ and eight 10Gb LAN ports. But again, no PoE. If yous don't need 2.5Gb ports speeds, there are more affordable unmanaged switches like the TRENDnet TEG-30284 with 24 1Gb LAN and 4 10Gb SFP+ ports. Finally, nosotros reviewed the EnGenius ECS1008P, which is far more than affordable and is better suited to modest domicile networks.

EnGenius ECS2512FP: Should you buy it?

EnGenius ECS2512FP Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central

You should buy this if ...

Y'all desire to be able to manage your network using the cloud
You demand to connect multiple PoE devices
You lot desire a switch with 2.5Gb and 10Gb ports

Y'all shouldn't buy this if ...

You lot don't need 10Gb SFP+ ports
You don't want to spend $900 on a switch
You lot don't need cloud management features

This is a tough determination to brand since the EnGenius ECS2512FP offers impressive features at a reasonable cost when compared to the competition. Should you be spending $900 on s network switch? Probably not, unless you're serious about creating a connected home with high-speed links.

The 240W PoE capacity is fantastic for hooking up admission points, security cameras, and other hardware that tin exist powered through the switch. It tin get a little loud while in performance, simply something like this is designed to be housed inside a data cabinet. And then if you don't accept i at home, this may exist something to consider.

It's a lot of money, only you're getting enough for the investment. EnGenius' cloud platform alone is worth because ane of its smart-managed switches and access points. EnGenius Cloud allows you lot to monitor traffic across your dwelling house network, as well equally manage information technology when you're not physically at home. This is a killer premium network switch.

EnGenius ECS2512FP

Bottom line: This is one monstrous networking switch, allowing you to connect up to viii devices (with 240W PoE support) via 2.5Gb LAN ports and uplink to other network hubs with iv 10Gb FSP+ fiber ports.

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