Introduction: what the Hikvision DS-3E1528P-SI-24P4F is and its key features
Hikvision DS-3E1528P-SI-24P4Fis a 24‑port Gigabit Layer‑2 smart PoE switch purpose‑built for CCTV and IP camera deployments, small‑to‑medium business (SMB) network edges, and installer environments that require reliable centralised power and straightforward management. In a metal rack‑mount chassis it delivers 24 Gigabit PoE RJ‑45 ports, four Gigabit SFP uplinks, and a substantial 370 W PoE budget — enough to power a full rack of cameras or other PoE devices. Key features include IEEE 802.3af/at PoE support (up to 30 W per port), smart L2 management (Web GUI, SNMP, VLAN, ACL), surveillance‑focused PoE functions (PoE Watchdog, PoE Extended), and enhanced device protection such as 6 kV surge protection.
Detailed specifications and benefits
- 24 × Gigabit RJ‑45 PoE ports (ports 1–24) providing data and power over a single cable.
- 4 × Gigabit SFP uplinks for flexible fibre or copper aggregation and longer uplink distances.
- Total PoE budget: 370 W — sufficient for powering many PoE+ cameras and devices simultaneously.
- PoE standard: IEEE 802.3af / 802.3at (PoE/PoE+), supporting up to 30 W per port where required.
- Surveillance‑focused PoE features: PoE Watchdog (automatic reboot of hung devices) and PoE Extended mode that can carry power and data over longer distances (up to 300 m at reduced speed on supported ports), simplifying deployments where cable runs exceed 100 m.
Benefit: The combination of a high PoE budget and per‑port PoE+ support makes the DS‑3E1528P suitable for modern high‑resolution cameras, PTZ models, access points, and other PoE devices without complex power distribution planning.
- Switching capacity: 56 Gbps with a forwarding rate of 41.66 Mpps, adequate for a fully populated 24‑port Gigabit access layer device.
- MAC table: 8K entries and a 4.1 Mbit packet buffer to smooth bursts and maintain low latency for video streams.
- Layer‑2 smart management: Web GUI for local management, SNMP v1/v2c for network systems, 802.1Q VLANs, ACLs, LLDP and port mirroring.
Benefit: These L2 features allow network segmentation (VLANs), traffic control and integration into monitoring platforms — important for security camera networks where video streams should be isolated from user traffic and monitored centrally.
- Network protection features: DHCP snooping, ARP anti‑spoofing, port isolation, storm control, and STP/ERPS for loop prevention.
- Rugged metal chassis, rack‑mountable, with 6 kV surge protection to protect against voltage spikes common in outdoor camera installations.
- Power and environment: 100–240 V AC input, max device power 400 W, idle power approx. 10 W, operating temperature 0 °C to 45 °C.
Benefit: Built‑in protection reduces the risk of cable‑borne electrical damage and offers network hardening features that are often required in enterprise and critical‑infrastructure CCTV systems.
- Management interfaces include an intuitive Web GUI and SNMP for integration with network management systems.
- Platform integration: works with Hik‑Central and Hik‑Partner Pro for centralised monitoring and management of Hikvision cameras and devices.
Benefit: For businesses that standardise on Hikvision solutions, the switch simplifies provisioning, health monitoring and centralised control. The Web GUI also keeps setup accessible for smaller teams or installers without a dedicated network engineer.
Use cases and scenarios where the product excels
- IP camera edge for CCTV systems: The primary use case. With 24 PoE ports and 370 W budget, the switch can power a full panel of cameras in small‑to‑medium deployments, multi‑floor camera closets or remote aggregation points.
- Retail, schools and SMB branches: Centralised PoE simplifies cabling for access points, VoIP phones and cameras while VLANs and ACLs maintain separation of security systems from guest or corporate networks.
- Remote or distributed sites with long cable runs: PoE Extended mode (up to 300 m at reduced bandwidth) helps reach cameras where running fibre or additional powered infrastructure is impractical.
- Installers and system integrators: Rack‑mountable metal chassis, power budget, surge protection and Hikvision platform integration reduce installation complexity and aftercare support.
- Temporary deployments and events: High PoE budget and watchdog features let organisers deploy multiple cameras and quickly recover hung devices without on‑site intervention.
In short, the DS‑3E1528P‑SI‑24P4F is optimised for deployments where reliable PoE power, basic smart management and surveillance‑grade protections are priorities.
How it compares with similar products on the market
There are many 24‑port PoE switches available from vendors such as Netgear, TP‑Link, Ubiquiti and Cisco Small Business. The DS‑3E1528P‑SI‑24P4F competes in a segment defined by a balance of power budget, management features, build quality and cost.
- Power budget: At 370 W the Hikvision switch sits comfortably above many entry‑level 24‑port models that provide 185–370 W ranges. If you need to run a full set of PoE+ cameras without additional power injectors, this model is attractive.
- Surveillance features: PoE Watchdog and PoE Extended are differentiators for CCTV projects. Generic SMB switches often lack the PoE Watchdog reboot capability or long‑reach PoE mode targeted at camera deployments.
- Management: The switch offers smart L2 features (Web GUI, SNMP, VLAN, ACL), which places it similarly to other SMB models. Higher‑end managed switches from enterprise vendors may offer richer CLI, automation and advanced QoS, but at higher cost.
- Integration: For organisations using Hikvision cameras and management platforms, the native integration adds operational value that third‑party switches cannot match without additional configuration or management overlays.
- Build and protection: 6 kV surge protection and metal rack chassis give the switch a robustness advantage over consumer grade switches and many low‑cost SMB alternatives.
Price is often decisive. With a suggested retail price of around $399 (vendor dependent), the DS‑3E1528P‑SI‑24P4F is positioned as a value‑oriented smart PoE switch with surveillance features. Some enterprise brands charge a premium for comparable reliability and extended feature sets; conversely, lower‑cost brands may undercut the price but sacrifice PoE budget, surge protection or integration.
Customer feedback and typical reviewer points
Publicly available customer reviews for specific models vary by market and reseller. Typical praise for switches in this class — and what you can expect from the DS‑3E1528P‑SI‑24P4F based on its feature set — includes:
- Reliability and power capacity: Installers often highlight that a 370 W budget and per‑port PoE+ support remove the need for additional injectors and simplify camera deployments.
- Surveillance conveniences: Users appreciate PoE Watchdog and long‑reach PoE for troubleshooting and flexible camera placement.
- Ease of use: The Web GUI and SNMP support are commonly described as adequate for SMB environments; integration with Hikvision NVR/management platforms is considered a plus.
Common criticisms for switches in this class that prospective buyers should consider:
- Management depth: Compared with fully managed enterprise switches, smart L2 interfaces may lack advanced QoS, automation scripting or the CLI familiarity some network engineers prefer.
- Warranty and support: Warranty terms and support levels vary by reseller and region. Always check the vendor/seller warranty and support SLA for mission‑critical projects.
Note: This section summarises likely user sentiment based on the product's capabilities. For specific, verified customer testimonials or long‑term reviews check reseller sites, independent review publications and professional installation forums.
Conclusion: why this switch is a strong choice
The Hikvision DS‑3E1528P‑SI‑24P4F is a practical, purpose‑built 24‑port Gigabit smart PoE switch designed with surveillance and SMB edge deployments in mind. Its 370 W PoE budget, support for PoE+ (up to 30 W per port), PoE Watchdog, and PoE Extended mode address common pain points in camera installations: powering high‑draw devices, recovering hung endpoints, and reaching distant cameras without expensive fibre runs.
Layer‑2 smart management, VLAN/ACL capabilities and SNMP make the switch suitable for segmented network designs while keeping configuration accessible for installers and smaller IT teams. The metal rack chassis and 6 kV surge protection add a level of physical resilience often required in field deployments.
Finally, the DS‑3E1528P‑SI‑24P4F offers an attractive balance of features versus cost — bundled with Hikvision platform integration for organisations standardising on Hikvision cameras. For installers and SMBs prioritising PoE capacity, surveillance‑oriented features and straightforward management, this switch represents a compelling option. As always, verify warranty and support options with your vendor and consider UPS and redundancy for mission‑critical systems.
