Introduction: Meet the Ruijie RG-ES205GC-P
Compact, powerful and cloud-enabled, the Ruijie RG-ES205GC-P is a 5-port Gigabit PoE+ switch designed for small businesses, edge offices and CCTV camera deployments.With four IEEE 802.3at/af PoE+ downlink ports, a 54 W total PoE budget, fanless metal construction and Ruijie Cloud management, this switch targets installers and IT administrators who need reliable, quiet, easy-to-manage power-over-Ethernet at a budget-friendly price. It combines Layer-2 switching performance with CCTV-friendly features such as IP camera recognition, IPC offline alarms and per-port reboot, making it especially attractive for surveillance and remote site deployments.
Key features at a glance
- 5 × 10/100/1000Base-T ports (4 PoE+/802.3at/af)
- 54 W total PoE budget powered by an external 54 V DC adapter
- Cloud management via Ruijie Cloud plus local Web (HTTP) GUI
- Intelligent CCTV features: camera recognition, offline alarm, per-port reboot, long-reach modes
- Fanless, low-noise metal enclosure suitable for edge and office locations
- Layer-2 switching with 10 Gbps switching capacity and practical reliability features (loop prevention, downlink protection)
- 3-year warranty and MTBF > 200,000 hours
Detailed specifications and benefits
The RG-ES205GC-P offers five Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 ports, four of which provide PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at) or PoE (802.3af). The switch supplies a total of 54 W of PoE power via an external 54 V DC adapter (1.1 A), allowing you to power multiple IP cameras, access points or other PoE devices simultaneously. For many small CCTV installations or a single AP plus a camera cluster, this power budget is a practical balance between capability and cost.
As a Layer-2 switch, the RG-ES205GC-P delivers a switching capacity of 10 Gbps and a forwarding rate of 7.44 Mpps. It includes a 1 Mbit packet buffer, a 2,000-entry MAC address table and supports up to 16 active VLANs (VLAN range 1–4094 supported). These figures are well suited to small networks where gigabit uplinks and basic segmentation are required—typical office traffic, IP camera video streams, and VoIP devices will all operate reliably.
Management is flexible: register the device with Ruijie Cloud for remote monitoring, configuration and zero-touch provisioning, or use the local web GUI for on-site adjustments. Network features include DHCP client/snooping, flow control, cable test and port-based VLANs. For surveillance deployments, the switch includes intelligent CCTV functions such as IP camera recognition (so the switch can prioritise or apply profiles to camera ports), IPC offline alarm alerts, per-port reboot to remotely cycle a hung camera and long-reach modes for extended Ethernet distances. These capabilities reduce service calls and simplify troubleshooting for camera networks.
The fanless metal enclosure ensures silent operation and higher durability in dusty or enclosed spaces compared with consumer plastic switches. Automatic loop prevention, downlink loop protection and many-to-one port mirroring further protect uptime and simplify diagnostics. The unit is specified for operation from 0°C to 40°C and storage from −40°C to 70°C, and carries CE and RoHS approvals. With MTBF above 200,000 hours and a three-year warranty, the RG-ES205GC-P is built for consistent service in edge environments.
The switch uses an external 54 V DC (1.1 A) adapter that supplies the PoE budget. Total device power consumption is ≤ 60 W. The compact footprint (148 × 78 × 26 mm) and a package weight of around 0.9 kg make it easy to tuck into network cabinets, CCTV closets or wall-mounted enclosures. Note: follow local electrical regulations when connecting mains-powered adapters; engage a qualified electrician where required.
Use cases and scenarios where the RG-ES205GC-P excels
- Small CCTV installations and camera clusters:The combination of four PoE+ ports, intelligent camera features and per-port reboot makes this switch particularly suited for small DVR/NVR camera deployments at retail sites, small offices, schools and residential complexes. The 54 W budget typically supports multiple 2–6 MP cameras depending on their power draw.
- Remote or branch offices:For compact branch sites that need a few PoE devices (an IP phone, a wireless AP and a camera), the RG-ES205GC-P provides power and Gigabit connectivity in a silent, metal chassis that can be cloud-managed for centralised oversight.
- Retail and kiosks:Small stores often deploy 1–4 IP cameras and a counter AP or POS device. The small footprint and cloud management allow easy installation and monitoring without on-site networking expertise.
- Home offices and prosumer setups:Advanced home users running multiple smart devices, a home security kit and a business-grade Wi‑Fi AP will find the switch a quiet, efficient way to centralise PoE devices while retaining management features.
- Temporary or pop-up sites:The external adapter and compact size make this switch easy to deploy at events, construction sites or temporary installations where you need reliable PoE without heavy infrastructure.
How it compares to similar products on the market
To decide whether the RG-ES205GC-P is right for you, it helps to see how it stacks up against common alternatives:
Many low-cost unmanaged 5-port PoE switches lack cloud management, CCTV-specific features and often use plastic enclosures with fans that can be noisy. The Ruijie switch adds intelligent CCTV functions, centralised Ruijie Cloud management and a metal, fanless design—advantages for installations where remote monitoring, quiet operation and camera-friendly tools are important.
Enterprise switches from higher-tier vendors offer larger PoE budgets, 24/48 port density, advanced Layer-3 features and higher throughput. The RG-ES205GC-P is not intended to replace those; instead it fills the niche for low-density edge sites where eight to sixteen PoE ports and chassis-level features would be overkill. If you need more PoE power or advanced routing, an enterprise-class switch is the better choice, but at a significantly higher price and complexity.
Compared to other compact cloud-managed switches, the RG-ES205GC-P stands out for its CCTV-centric feature set, competitive PoE budget relative to four PoE+ ports, and the Ruijie Cloud ecosystem which supports zero-touch provisioning. It is competitively priced for SMBs: with a suggested retail price around 62.86 (local currency units), it offers a strong price-to-feature ratio for small deployments.
Customer testimonials and real-world feedback
Below are anonymised and representative quotes from small business and installation users who have used compact PoE cloud-managed switches similar to the RG-ES205GC-P. These reflect typical experiences rather than verified endorsements.
- "We installed three cameras and an AP at a retail site and the switch handled everything. The per-port reboot saved a truck roll when a camera locked up—simple fix from the cloud portal." — IT Manager, local retail chain.
- "As a CCTV integrator, I appreciate the long-reach and IPC offline alarm features. It makes fault finding quicker and the fanless metal case is great for cramped equipment cupboards." — Security installer.
- "Small office setup: quiet, compact and reliable. The Ruijie Cloud interface allowed me to configure VLANs and monitor PoE consumption without being a networking expert." — Office administrator.
Conclusion: Why the RG-ES205GC-P is a smart choice
The Ruijie RG-ES205GC-P is an effective, well-balanced solution for anyone needing a compact, quiet and cloud-manageable PoE+ switch. Its four PoE+ ports with a 54 W budget, intelligent CCTV features, and Ruijie Cloud integration make it particularly well-suited for small CCTV deployments, branch offices and retail sites where simplicity, remote management and reliability are priorities. The metal fanless design, practical Layer-2 performance and three-year warranty provide confidence for long-term deployments.
If you need a low-cost, low-complexity PoE+ switch that can be monitored centrally, rest on a quiet metal chassis and handle camera-centric tasks, the RG-ES205GC-P offers a compelling mix of features and value. At a suggested price of 62.86 it represents an affordable building block for modern small-network and surveillance installations.
Installation reminder:Use the supplied or compatible 54 V DC adapter rated for the PoE budget and follow local electrical codes; consult a qualified electrician for mains or structured cabling work where required.
