Ruijie RG-ES118GS-P-L 18‑Port Unmanaged Gigabit PoE+ Switch (16x GE PoE+, 2x SFP, 247 W)

Introduction: Meet the Ruijie RG-ES118GS-P-L

The Ruijie RG-ES118GS-P-L is a purpose-built 18-port unmanaged Gigabit PoE+ switch designed for installers and small IT teams who need reliable, plug-and-play Ethernet with substantial Power over Ethernet capacity. With 16 Gigabit PoE/PoE+ downlinks and 2 SFP uplinks, plus a generous ~247 W total PoE budget, the RG-ES118GS-P-L is tailored to power multiple IP cameras, Wi‑Fi access points and VoIP phones while keeping installation and day-to-day operation simple.

Key features at a glance

• 16 × Gigabit RJ‑45 PoE/PoE+ ports— each port supports up to 30 W for PoE+ devices.
• 2 × 1000Base‑X SFP uplinks— fibre or aggregated uplinks for longer runs or backbone connections.
• Total PoE budget ≈ 247 W— supports multiple high-draw devices such as PTZ cameras and high‑performance APs.
• Unmanaged, plug-and-play operation— simple deployment without advanced configuration, with optional Ruijie cloud visibility when a managed Ruijie device is present.
• Intelligent PoE features— PoE watchdog/auto recovery, port isolation and flow control to stabilise video and edge traffic.
• Robust steel chassis— rackmountable or desktop installation and a 3-year manufacturer warranty.

Detailed specifications and benefits

The RG-ES118GS-P-L combines a compact physical design with networking features that matter in small to medium deployments:

• Ports:16 × 10/100/1000Base‑T RJ‑45 (PoE/PoE+) downlinks; 2 × 1000Base‑X SFP uplinks.
• Switching capacity:≈ 36 Gbps and a forwarding rate ≈ 26.8 Mpps — ample for multiple HD camera feeds and access point backhaul in small sites.
• MAC table:≈ 8K entries, suitable for typical CCTV/office networks where device counts are moderate.

• Total PoE budget:≈ 247 W — one of the standout specs for this class of switch. It allows many PoE+ devices to run simultaneously without external injectors.
• Per-port capability:Up to 30 W (PoE+), which covers PTZ cameras, multi‑radio access points and other power-hungry edge devices.
• Intelligent PoE features:PoE watchdog (auto recovery) restarts hung devices, port isolation protects sensitive traffic segments and flow control helps stabilise continuous video streams.
• Power input:AC 100–240 V internal PSU — convenient for global deployments without separate power modules.

• Chassis:Steel construction with rackmount and desktop mounting options — flexible for wiring closets, small racks and wall/desk installations.
• Dimensions & weight:≈ 440 × 214.9 × 44 mm and ≈ 3.7–4.0 kg packaged — a standard 1U/half-rack style footprint that fits most small racks.
• Warranty:3 years from the manufacturer, providing reasonable assurance for business deployments.

Benefit summary: the RG-ES118GS-P-L is optimised for environments where PoE capacity, simple deployment and reliable operation are more important than deep management features. The inclusion of SFP uplinks and intelligent PoE safeguards elevates it above basic consumer-grade switches, while its unmanaged nature keeps configuration effort to a minimum.

Use cases and scenarios where this switch excels

• CCTV and surveillance deployments— The 247 W budget and PoE watchdog make this switch ideally suited to IP camera networks. It can power multiple cameras including PTZ models and handle steady video streams thanks to flow control and port isolation.
• Small office and retail edge— For small branches or retail locations that need a reliable edge switch to serve VoIP phones, Wi‑Fi APs and POS systems, the RG-ES118GS-P-L provides sufficient throughput and power without requiring a trained network administrator.
• Wi‑Fi AP farms— Deployments with multiple Wi‑Fi access points (including Wi‑Fi 6 APs that draw higher power) benefit from the per-port PoE+ capability and the large overall budget.
• Temporary or remote sites— Events, pop-up retail and temporary surveillance setups benefit from plug-and-play simplicity and the ability to run everything off a single box and AC inlet.
• Small campus edge aggregation— Use the SFP uplinks to connect to a fibre backbone or to aggregate multiple edge switches into a core switch without using up valuable RJ‑45 ports.

How it compares with other solutions

Choosing a network switch often means balancing management features, PoE capacity, port count and price. Here’s how the RG-ES118GS-P-L stacks up against common alternatives:

• Unmanaged (RG-ES118GS-P-L):Pros — fast deployment, low maintenance, and predictable behaviour for simple networks. Cons — no VLAN configuration, QoS tuning or SNMP access on the switch itself.
• Managed switches:Pros — full control over VLANs, QoS, security policies and monitoring; better suited to complex multi‑site networks. Cons — higher cost and requires experienced staff to configure and maintain.
• Verdict: If your needs are straightforward (CCTV, small office), the unmanaged Ruijie offers the best balance of simplicity and PoE power. If you need advanced segmentation, remote troubleshooting and policy control, a managed model is preferable.

Within the 16‑port PoE+/2‑SFP category, the RG-ES118GS-P-L’s ≈ 247 W budget is competitive. Some entry-level 16‑port PoE switches provide lower budgets (120–190 W), which can limit the number of simultaneous PoE+ devices. If your deployment relies on many high‑draw devices — e.g., several PTZ cameras or Wi‑Fi 6 APs — the larger PoE pool of the Ruijie model is a strong advantage.

With a suggested price around $219 (cost price $179.88), this switch occupies a value-oriented segment. It undercuts many managed solutions while offering stronger PoE performance than lower-cost consumer switches. That makes it an attractive choice for integrators who need predictable PoE delivery without the cost and complexity of a managed platform.

Customer feedback and typical user impressions

While individual experiences vary, common themes from installers and small-business users evaluating this class of Ruijie switch tend to be:

• Easy installation:Many users appreciate the plug-and-play setup — power it on, connect devices, and cameras/APs come online without configuration.
• Reliable PoE delivery:Installers note the benefit of the 247 W budget, allowing multiple PoE+ devices to run continuously without power budget alerts or the need for external injectors.
• Solid construction:The steel chassis and rackmount hardware are often singled out as durable for small rack or closet environments.
• Limited management:Some IT teams remark that the lack of on-board management requires separate tools for monitoring (unless a managed Ruijie device is present to enable cloud visibility).

These points reflect typical trade-offs: operational simplicity and strong PoE power versus the absence of advanced switch configuration. For many CCTV and small business deployments this is an intentional and desirable trade-off.

Safety, planning and best practices

• Always check the official datasheet for compliance markings, operating temperature and environmental limits before installation.
• Plan the PoE budget carefully — adding up device draw ensures you do not exceed the ≈ 247 W total. Prioritise critical devices if power capacity is tight.
• Install in accordance with local electrical regulations and disconnect power during installation.
• Use the SFP ports for longer uplinks or to connect to a central switch to reduce cable runs and improve resilience.

Conclusion: Why the RG-ES118GS-P-L is a great choice

The Ruijie RG-ES118GS-P-L is a pragmatic choice for installers and small IT teams that need a dependable, high‑power PoE edge switch without the complexity of managed gear. Its 16 PoE+ ports, 247 W budget and two SFP uplinks provide a compelling mix of power, throughput and flexibility for CCTV systems, AP deployments and small office networks. The steel chassis, optional rack mounting and 3‑year warrantyround out the package for business use.

For anyone deploying multiple PoE devices but not requiring per-port VLANs or deep monitoring at the switch level, the RG-ES118GS-P-L delivers strong value — solid performance at a competitive price point, with features geared towards real-world reliability. If your deployment grows into a multi-site or policy-heavy environment later, you can complement this switch with managed core devices to gain greater visibility while keeping edge simplicity where it matters.