Description
16-Port Gigabit PoE+ Rackmount Switch for Professional Surveillance and Business Networks
The TP-Link TL-SG1218MP is a plug-and-play unmanaged rackmount switch with 16 Gigabit PoE+ ports, a 250W total power budget, and two combo Gigabit SFP slots — all housed in a durable metal chassis rated for operating temperatures up to 50°C. Designed for professional CCTV installations, multi-AP Wi-Fi deployments, and small to medium business networks, it delivers high-power PoE+ performance in a clean 1U rack form factor without the complexity of managed switch configuration.
Key Features
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16× Gigabit PoE+ Ports (802.3at/af): Power and connect IP cameras, wireless access points, VoIP phones, and other PoE/PoE+ devices at up to 30W per port across all 16 ports.
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250W Total PoE Budget: High shared power budget supports a full deployment of 16 standard PoE cameras or a mixed load of PoE+ devices — one of the highest budgets available in an unmanaged switch.
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2× Non-PoE Gigabit RJ45 Ports: Dedicated uplink ports for connecting to a router, NVR, or upstream switch via copper Ethernet.
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2× Combo Gigabit SFP Slots: Flexible fibre or copper uplink options — connect to a fibre backbone or upstream switch using SFP modules (single-mode or multi-mode) or standard RJ45 cables.
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802.1p/DSCP QoS: Prioritises latency-sensitive traffic such as IP camera streams and VoIP calls to ensure consistent performance under heavy network load.
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Plug & Play: No configuration, software, or management interface required — connect devices and the switch operates automatically.
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Durable Metal Chassis: Robust metal casing with professional heat dissipation design supports an operating temperature range of 0–50°C — suitable for comms cabinets and server rooms without air conditioning.
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36 Gbps Switching Capacity: Non-blocking switching fabric handles simultaneous high-bandwidth video streams from all 16 cameras without bottlenecks.
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Rack Mountable (1U): Standard 19-inch rack form factor (440 × 180 × 44mm) for clean, professional installations in comms cabinets and equipment racks.
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Physical Security Lock: Kensington-style lock slot for securing the unit in shared or public spaces.
Common Use Cases
- 16-camera IP CCTV systems for commercial buildings, retail centres, and warehouses
- Multi-access-point Wi-Fi deployments in offices, schools, and hospitality venues
- VoIP phone networks for small to medium businesses
- Rack-mounted network infrastructure in comms cabinets and server rooms
- Fibre uplink to a core switch in multi-floor or multi-building installations
- High-temperature environments where fanless switches are insufficient
Technical Specifications
| Model |
TL-SG1218MP |
| PoE+ RJ45 Ports |
16× 10/100/1000Mbps (Ports 1–16) |
| Non-PoE RJ45 Ports |
2× 10/100/1000Mbps (Ports 17–18) |
| Combo SFP Slots |
2× Gigabit (shared with Ports 17–18) |
| PoE Standard |
IEEE 802.3at (PoE+) / 802.3af (PoE) |
| Max PoE Per Port |
30W (802.3at) |
| Total PoE Budget |
250W |
| Switching Capacity |
36 Gbps |
| Packet Forwarding Rate |
26.78 Mpps |
| MAC Address Table |
8K |
| Packet Buffer Memory |
4.1 Mbit |
| Jumbo Frame |
10KB |
| QoS |
802.1p / DSCP |
| Transmission Method |
Store-and-Forward |
| Fans |
2× (active cooling) |
| Physical Security Lock |
Yes |
| Chassis |
Metal |
| Mounting |
Rack mountable (19″, 1U) |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) |
440 × 180 × 44mm |
| Power Supply |
100–240V AC, 50/60Hz (internal) |
| Max Power Consumption |
21.4W (no PD) / 286.64W (full PoE load) |
| Operating Temperature |
0°C to 50°C |
| Standards |
IEEE 802.3/802.3u/802.3ab/802.3x/802.3af/802.3at/802.1q/802.1p |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the TL-SG1218MP managed or unmanaged?
It is an unmanaged switch. There is no web interface, app, or software required — it operates automatically with no configuration needed. QoS prioritisation (802.1p/DSCP) is applied automatically based on traffic type without any manual setup.
How does the TL-SG1218MP compare to the TL-SG1218MPE?
Both switches offer 16 PoE+ ports and a 250W budget in a 1U rack chassis. The key difference is management: the TL-SG1218MPE is an Easy Smart switch with a web interface for configuring VLANs, port priority, and IGMP Snooping, while the TL-SG1218MP is fully unmanaged with no configuration interface. Choose the TL-SG1218MPE if you need VLAN or traffic management; choose the TL-SG1218MP for simpler plug-and-play deployments.
What is the maximum PoE power per port?
Each PoE+ port supports up to 30W (IEEE 802.3at). The total shared PoE budget across all 16 ports is 250W, so plan your device load accordingly. For example, 16 cameras drawing 12W each would use 192W — well within the 250W budget.
Can I use the SFP slots with fibre modules?
Yes. The two combo SFP slots accept standard Gigabit SFP fibre modules (single-mode or multi-mode, sold separately) for uplink connections to a core switch or to extend your network over long distances. When an SFP module is inserted, the corresponding RJ45 port is disabled.
Is it suitable for outdoor or high-temperature environments?
The TL-SG1218MP is rated for operating temperatures up to 50°C — higher than most desktop switches — making it suitable for comms cabinets and server rooms without dedicated air conditioning. It is not rated for outdoor use and should be installed in a sheltered, indoor location.
How many cameras can I connect?
Up to 16 IP cameras can be connected via the PoE+ ports (Ports 1–16). Ports 17–18 are non-PoE uplink ports for connecting to a router or NVR. Ensure the total power draw of all connected cameras does not exceed 250W.
