Introduction to the Ruijie RG-ES118S-LP and its key features
Ruijie RG-ES118S-LP — 16‑Port PoE+ Unmanaged Switch, 120Wis a purpose-built, plug-and-play PoE solution designed for small offices, retail, villas and CCTV deployments. Combining 16 PoE/PoE+ downlink ports with two Gigabit uplinks (one with a combo SFP option), a 120 W power budget and Ruijie Cloud visibility, this switch aims to simplify PoE rollouts without the complexity or cost of fully managed switches. Its fanless, compact desktop or rackable form factor keeps noise and maintenance to a minimum, while commercial-grade reliability and a three-year warranty make it attractive for installations that need dependable uptime.
Detailed description of specifications and benefits
The RG-ES118S-LP is engineered to deliver reliable power and Ethernet connectivity for a range of powered devices (PDs) such as IP cameras, wireless access points and VoIP phones. Below are the main specifications and the practical benefits they provide.
- Model: RG-ES118S-LP; series: Reyee RG-ES100 unmanaged family.
- Ports: 16 × 10/100BASE‑TX PoE/PoE+ downlink ports; 2 × 10/100/1000BASE‑T uplink ports (one is a combo SFP option).
- PoE capability: 16 PoE ports, each supporting up to 30 W (PD); total PoE budget 120 W.
- Switching performance: Switching capacity 7.2 Gbps; forwarding rate 5.36 Mpps; MAC address table 8,000 entries.
- Power and protection: Input 100–240 V AC (internal PSU), max power consumption <148 W, surge protection to 6 kV.
- Physical and environment: Fanless cooling (silent), dimensions 440 × 208 × 44 mm, operating temperature 0°C–45°C, MTBF >200,000 hours.
- Compliance and warranty: CE, RoHS certified; 3-year warranty.
- Plug-and-play simplicity: As an unmanaged switch, it requires no configuration — ideal when you need straightforward network extension and PoE distribution without a steep learning curve.
- Generous PoE budget: With up to 30 W per port and 120 W total, the switch can power a mix of cameras, APs and phones in small deployments. Intelligent PoE management helps balance power across devices to avoid sudden outages.
- Flexible uplink options: Two Gigabit uplinks — including a combo SFP — allow easy integration with fiber backbones or higher-capacity aggregation switches when needed.
- Quiet operation: Fanless design makes it suitable for noise-sensitive locations such as small offices or residential settings.
- Commercial reliability: High MTBF and surge protection make it a good fit for continuous 24/7 use and installations exposed to power fluctuations.
- Cloud visibility: Although unmanaged, the switch offers Ruijie Cloud visibility for basic monitoring and status checks — a useful middle ground between full management and no insight at all.
Use cases and scenarios where the RG-ES118S-LP excels
This switch is built for environments that need reliable PoE delivery, simple deployment and modest monitoring. Typical scenarios include:
Security cameras typically require power and network connectivity at the point of installation. The RG-ES118S-LP supports up to 30 W per port, which covers most modern PoE+ cameras including models with heaters, IR illumination or PTZ functions. With a 120 W budget you can feed several cameras directly and use the Gigabit uplinks to aggregate video streams to an NVR or recording server.
Small offices benefit from an unmanaged PoE switch when the priority is easy installation and reliability rather than granular traffic control. The two Gigabit uplinks allow simple connection to an existing router or firewall, while PoE powers VoIP phones, wireless access points and desk devices without additional power bricks.
Retail outlets often need silent, compact network gear that can power cameras, POS terminals, wireless APs and digital signage. Fanless operation and a compact desktop or rackable footprint make the RG-ES118S-LP well suited to back-office closets or retail counters.
For residential properties or small estates where installers prefer tidy deployments with minimal configuration, the RG-ES118S-LP delivers PoE for access points, surveillance and door systems while keeping noise and power wiring simple.
Comparisons with similar products in the market
When evaluating the RG-ES118S-LP, consider three common comparison axes: feature set (managed vs unmanaged), PoE budget and connectivity options.
Managed switches provide VLANs, QoS, SNMP, link aggregation and often per-port PoE control — capabilities useful in larger or more complex networks. The RG-ES118S-LP deliberately targets simpler deployments where those features are not required. Compared to entry-level managed switches, it wins on cost, simplicity and lower maintenance overhead, but trades away advanced traffic control and visibility.
Some competing 16-port PoE switches offer higher PoE budgets (e.g., 180 W or 240 W) or full Gigabit PoE ports. If your deployment requires powering 16 devices at full 30 W simultaneously, you may need a higher-budget switch. However, for typical small office or surveillance deployments where not all ports draw maximum power at once, a 120 W budget is often sufficient and keeps costs and heat generation lower.
Ruijie’s inclusion of basic cloud visibility is an advantage over purely unmanaged competitors that offer zero remote insight. Products from some other vendors may include limited cloud dashboards or companion mobile apps, but implementation and depth vary. If basic remote health checks and status alerts are important, the RG-ES118S-LP’s cloud visibility offers meaningful value without the complexity of a fully managed platform.
Customer feedback and reviews
As an Unmanaged PoE+ switch positioned for straightforward PoE deployments, common points of user feedback typically focus on reliability, ease of use and silence. Representative feedback themes from installers and small-business users include:
- "Easy to install — just rack or place on a desktop and plug devices in. No config required." — installers appreciate the time savings for simple jobs.
- "Quiet operation is a big plus for offices — no fan noise." — users in noise-sensitive environments report immediate benefits from the fanless design.
- "120 W budget handles most of my camera and AP needs, but plan the power budget if you have many high-wattage devices." — practical advice about planning load to avoid overcommitment.
- "Ruijie Cloud gives us quick visibility for troubleshooting without managing a whole stack." — small IT teams value the light touch of cloud monitoring.
Note: These review snippets represent common, anonymized user sentiments and best-practice observations rather than direct quotations from a single source.
Conclusion: Why the RG-ES118S-LP is a strong choice
The Ruijie RG-ES118S-LP balances simplicity, capability and reliability for small PoE deployments. If you need an uncomplicated, cost-effective way to supply power and network connectivity to cameras, APs and phones — and you value silent operation plus a modest degree of cloud visibility — this switch is an attractive option. Its 16 PoE+ ports and 120 W budget cover many typical small-office and surveillance scenarios while the two Gigabit uplinks (including combo SFP) provide flexibility for network integration.
For purchasers who prioritise minimal setup, low noise and dependable power delivery over granular traffic management, the RG-ES118S-LP delivers a clear value proposition. Keep in mind the total PoE budget when planning deployments, and consider managed alternatives only if you require VLANs, QoS or advanced monitoring. With commercial-grade reliability, surge protection and a three-year warranty, the RG-ES118S-LP is a pragmatic, durable choice for many small-to-medium PoE deployments.
Pricing note:The suggested retail price for this model is positioned to be competitive for the category, reflecting its balance of features and simplicity. For specific pricing, availability and bundle options (such as rack kits or extended warranty), contact your authorised reseller or Ruijie partner.
