Introduction: Meet the DS-3E1318P-EI (B)
The DS-3E1318P-EI (B) is a smart-managed, rack-mountable PoE switch purpose-built for CCTV and IP camera deployments. With 16×10/100 Mbps PoE ports and a generous 230 W total PoE budget, plus 2×1 Gbps RJ45/SFP combo uplinks, it balances power, management and price for small-to-medium surveillance networks and remote edge sites. Built-in features such as PoE Watchdog, long-range PoE mode and 6 kV surge protection make this model attractive to installers who need reliable power delivery and easy troubleshooting in the field.
Key features at a glance
- 16 PoE ports(10/100 Mbps) with IEEE 802.3af/at support and up to 30 W per port.
- 230 W total PoE budgetto power multiple cameras and edge devices simultaneously.
- 2×1 Gbps RJ45/SFP combo uplinksfor flexible aggregation to NVRs, servers or core switches.
- Smart managementincluding 802.1Q VLAN, link aggregation (LAG), STP/RSTP, port mirroring and port isolation.
- PoE Watchdog & long-range modeto auto-restart stalled cameras and extend PoE reach up to 300 m where supported.
- Protection & reliabilitywith 6 kV surge protection on PoE ports, a metal chassis and rack‑mount package.
- Remote monitoringvia Hik-Partner Pro and Hik-Central Pro for topology and health checks.
Detailed specifications and benefits
- PoE ports:16 × 10/100 Mbps PoE RJ45 (ports 1–16), supporting IEEE 802.3af/at.
- Uplinks:2 × 1 Gbps RJ45/SFP combo for flexible network aggregation.
- Per-port and total power:Up to 30 W per port, with a 230 W total PoE budget—enough to support a mix of indoor and many outdoor PoE+ cameras.
- Long-range mode:Extend mode can support connectivity up to ~300 m depending on camera and cable—useful where run distances exceed standard Ethernet limits.
Benefit: The combination of 16 PoE ports and a 230 W budget lets integrators deploy a single, compact switch to power a small cluster of cameras without adding midspan injectors or separate power infrastructure. Long-range PoE and per-port control reduce installation complexity for remote camera runs.
- Switching capacity:9.2 Gbps with an approximate forwarding rate of 6.84 Mpps.
- MAC table & buffer:16 K MAC table and a 4 Mbit buffer to handle bursts and multiple streams.
- Smart management:VLAN (802.1Q), static link aggregation, STP/RSTP for redundancy, port mirroring for troubleshooting and port isolation for segmenting camera networks.
Benefit: Smart features improve network segmentation, reduce broadcast domains and help prioritize camera traffic. Port mirroring and LAG simplify troubleshooting and increase resilience when connecting to NVRs or core switches.
- Power input:100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz with max current ~4 A.
- Max consumption:250 W (typical idle ≈ 20 W).
Benefit: Worldwide power compatibility and modest idle draw make the unit suitable for many deployments and rack environments. The 230 W PoE budget plus a small overhead above typical PoE consumption fits most camera mixes without overtaxing the switch.
- Chassis & mounting:Metal chassis, rack ears supplied; dimensions 440 × 44 × 220.8 mm; net weight 2.59 kg.
- Operating environment:0 °C to 45 °C.
- Surge protection:6 kV on PoE ports for enhanced protection at outdoor camera endpoints.
- Compliance:CE/EMC, RoHS, WEEE (see datasheet for full approvals).
Benefit: Robust metal construction and surge protection reduce the risk of damage from lightning or electrical disturbances, particularly at camera endpoints and roadside installations.
Use cases and scenarios where the DS-3E1318P-EI (B) excels
For small retail chains, parking lots, office branch sites or residential complexes, the DS-3E1318P-EI (B) provides a compact rack-mount solution that powers and aggregates cameras into an NVR. Its 16 PoE ports cover common deployment sizes, while the 230 W budget supports a mix of PoE and PoE+ cameras—ideal when a few high-draw units (e.g., PTZs) are used alongside standard bullet cameras.
Remote sites such as construction site compounds, temporary event control rooms and distributed retail kiosks benefit from the switch’s surge protection and long-range PoE. The PoE Watchdog feature reduces the need for on-site intervention by automatically restarting non-responsive cameras, which is especially useful when physical access is limited or costly.
Because it’s rack-mountable and compact, the switch fits into NVR racks where space is limited. The combo Gigabit uplinks enable easy linking to a central networking stack or directly to a recording server without needing extra switches in the chain.
Installers who need VLANs, LAG and RSTP to segregate camera traffic and provide resiliency will find the switch’s smart-management feature set sufficient for many surveillance-focused networks—without the cost and complexity of a full enterprise managed switch.
How it stacks up to alternatives
When deciding on a PoE switch, buyers typically weigh ports, PoE budget, management features and price. The DS-3E1318P-EI (B) positions itself as a surveillance-centric smart-managed switch with features tuned for camera deployments.
- Vs. unmanaged PoE switches:Unmanaged switches are cheaper but lack VLANs, monitoring and PoE watchdogs. The DS-3E1318P-EI (B) adds important operational tools and surge protection that reduce field maintenance time and improve uptime.
- Vs. fully managed enterprise switches:Enterprise switches offer advanced QoS, SNMP and deeper configuration options, but they cost more and can be overkill for camera-only networks. The Hikvision smart-managed model provides a focused set of features tailored for surveillance at a lower price point.
- Vs. other 16‑port PoE switches:Competing 16-port switches vary in PoE budget, per-port power and management. The DS-3E1318P-EI (B)’s 230 W budget and 30 W per-port capability are competitive for deployments that include several PoE+ cameras. Its 6 kV surge protection and PoE Watchdog are differentiators for outdoor and remote sites.
Price-wise, with a suggested retail price around $199.99, the switch is positioned as a value-oriented option for integrators who need reliable PoE delivery and basic smart features without the premium of an enterprise-class switch.
Customer feedback and installer impressions
While individual experiences vary, typical feedback from integrators and IT managers running surveillance sites highlights a few recurring positives:
- “Reliable power and fewer support calls.”Installers note that the PoE Watchdog and surge protection reduce on-site maintenance and camera downtime.
- “Good balance of features for the price.”Users who need VLANs, LAG and basic redundancy find the smart-management features adequate for camera networks without the complexity of enterprise gear.
- “Compact and rack-friendly.”Small racks and NVR cabinets benefit from the switch’s footprint and supplied rack ears.
These anecdotal comments reflect common trade-offs: while the switch is not a full enterprise device with deep analytics and every management protocol, it covers the needs of many surveillance-focused deployments effectively.
Conclusion: Why choose the DS-3E1318P-EI (B)
The DS-3E1318P-EI (B) is a practical, surveillance-focused smart-managed PoE switch that combines a meaningful PoE budget (230 W), per-port PoE+ support (30 W), essential management features and protective hardware like 6 kV surge protection. Its PoE Watchdog and long-range mode address two of the biggest hassles in camera deployments—remote device recovery and extended cable runs—reducing truck rolls and operational headaches.
For CCTV integrators, branch IT teams and small security operations looking for a cost-effective, rack-mountable switch to power and manage up to 16 cameras, the DS-3E1318P-EI (B) represents a sensible middle ground between unmanaged injectors and high-end enterprise switches. With a competitive suggested price and a feature set tailored to surveillance, it’s a strong candidate when you need reliability, simple remote monitoring and robust PoE delivery in one compact package.
