Unifi Switch Flex | USW-Flex

Product Information

The UniFi Switch Flex Mini uses only a maximum of 2.5W. For your convenience, it can be powered by 802.3af/at PoE or a 5V,1A USB-C power adapter(european only)

No LACP (This would be a niche use case for a 5-port switch, but one scenario that sometimes comes up is having an Ethernet repeater for >100m runs, and it would be nice to have link-level redundancy and 2Gbps throughput for that repeater.) Build and expand your network with the UniFi® Switch, part of the UniFi Enterprise System. The UniFi Switch, model USW-Flex, is a configurable Layer 2 Gigabit switch with auto-sensing 802.3af PoE. It offers 5 RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet ports, providing 1 PoE input and 4 PoE output links to your devices.

Ubiquiti UniFi USW Flex Mini 5-Port Layer 2 Gigabit Switch - EU Power Supply (USW-Flex-Mini)

I just finished an evaluation of the UniFi Switch Flex (PoE in & out) and Flex Mini (PoE in only). They're both great little 5-port switches for what they are, but there are a few feature limitations to be aware of. The first 2 limitations are non-negotiables in my use cases: You can find a step by step set of instructions on how to go about telling the controller that this switch is powered by an injector below.

This guide applies to the Ubiquiti’s USW-Flex only, this does not apply to other products in the range ( USW-Flex-Mini and USW-Flex-XG). One limitation of the regular second generation switches is their limited PoE budget. PoE budget refers to the total amount of power available for all PoE devices. Since the non-pro 2nd generation models are fanless, they also have smaller power supplies, and a smaller PoE budget.A common complaint with the first generation models are their loud fans. It is possible to replace them with quieter Noctua fans, or you can throw it in a network closet and forget about it. If you just need basic L2 switching and PoE, the first generation models are still worth considering, especially if budget and availability are more important than future software support.

You can access any managed UniFi Switch through the UniFi Controller to configure a variety of features:

Magnetic Mounting

The USW-Flex-XG is a 2nd gen model, with one 1 Gbps and four 1/2.5/5/10 Gbps RJ45 Ethernet ports. No PoE. EdgeSwitches have an optional web interface overlay called UISP, which is similar to the UniFi controller. UISP is limited when it comes to EdgeSwitch configuration, and it doesn’t have every option that the device’s individual web GUI or CLI has. Think of UISP as an easy way to monitor all of your AirMAX, LTU and EdgeMAX devices, rather than a single interface for configuring everything like the UniFi controller. The USW-Flex features five (5) Gigabit RJ45 ports to deliver robust performance and intelligent switching for your network. Port 1 provides PoE Input while ports 2-4 offer 802.3af PoE and provide up to 15W of power for your PoE devices. Products requiring 802.3af, such as G3 Flex cameras (see accessories tab), are also supported. Indoor/outdoor design I’ll use the PoE, PoE+, PoE++ names as shorthand. It is important to consider the type of PoE you need for your devices, and to make sure that you have enough PoE budget on your switch to power all your devices. Otherwise, you will need to rely on separate power injectors. PoE Passthrough Please Note: If you are using the Flex 5-Port outside, you may require a USW-Flex Outdoor Weatherproof Enclosure. Ubiquiti UniFi Switch Flex 5-Port Layer 2 Gigabit with PoE Support (USW-FLEX)

Have lower fan noise — the non-pro models are fanless. The pros have fans, but are quieter than the 1st generation models. Port managed PoE switch with (1) 802.3at/bt (PoE+/PoE++) input port and (4) 802.3af (PoE) Gigabit Ethernet ports Higher PoE budgets. The 2nd generation non-pro models are fanless and have very limited PoE budgetsMost UniFi switches operate at layer 2, meaning they can handle VLANs but cannot act as a router. The 2nd generation pro and enterprise UniFi switches have some layer 3 features such as static inter-VLAN routing and DHCP, but they require a separate router or firewall for everything else. UniFi L3 switches can’t compete with a true enterprise product from a vendor like Cisco or Juniper. UniFi switches are a fraction of the price and don’t require licensing, so they compete in different markets. As with all network design and purchasing decisions, what matters most is your budget and your use case. PoE+ devices like the U6-Pro will usually operate with 802.3af input, but they will be unreliable. It’s never a good idea to push past your budget, feed a PoE+ or PoE++ device with a lower tier of PoE, or supply the wrong voltage. Always follow the recommended input power, and never provide less the required power or a different voltage. The UniFi USW-Flex-Mini is a smart managed Gigabit switch. It offers 5 RJ45 Ethernet ports, providing 1 Gigabit links to your devices. Power up the USW-Flex-Mini with the included USB Type-C (european only) power adapter or with 802.3af PoE Ethernet in port 1.