Introduction to the Ruijie RG-ES118GS-P and its key features
Ruijie RG-ES118GS-P — 18-port Unmanaged Gigabit PoE+ Switchis a compact, high-capacity PoE solution designed for small businesses, retail outlets, branch offices and CCTV/Wi‑Fi deployments. The switch offers 16 Gigabit downlink ports with PoE/PoE+ (IEEE 802.3af/at) and two 1 Gb SFP uplinks, backed by a substantial 247 W PoE budget. It’s an unmanaged, store-and-forward device that delivers plug-and-play simplicity, a metal chassis with desktop or rack-mount options, basic surge protection and a three-year manufacturer warranty.
- 16 x 10/100/1000Base-T PoE/PoE+ ports (up to 16 powered ports)
- 2 x 1000Base-X SFP uplink ports for fiber or long-reach connections
- 247 W total PoE budget — capable of powering multiple APs and cameras
- Unmanaged operation for straightforward installation, with Ruijie cloud visibility where other Ruijie devices exist
- 6 kV surge protection and a 3-year warranty
Detailed specifications and benefits
The RG-ES118GS-P’s specifications make it a practical choice when you need a reliable, no-fuss PoE+ switch. Below are the key technical specifications and what they mean in real-world deployments.
- Model / Series:Ruijie RG-ES118GS-P (Reyee series)
- Ports:16 x 10/100/1000Base-T (PoE/PoE+), 2 x 1000Base-X SFP
- PoE Standard:IEEE 802.3af / 802.3at
- PoE Budget:247 W total
- Switching Capacity:36 Gbps
- Forwarding Rate:~26.78 Mpps
- MAC Address Table:8,000 entries
- Switching Mode:Store-and-forward (unmanaged)
- Power Input / Consumption:100–240 VAC, 3.5 A; power consumption < 285 W
- Protection / Build:Metal chassis, 6 kV surge protection
- Mounting:Desktop or rack (brackets included)
- Operating / Storage Temperatures:0°C to 45°C / −40°C to 70°C
- Warranty:3 years
- Lifecycle Status:End-of-Sale (EoS) — 21 May 2024 (check lifecycle requirements for long-term projects)
Benefits distilled from these specifications:
- High PoE capacity:The 247 W PoE budget is large for a 16-port switch, enabling you to power a mix of PoE cameras, Wi‑Fi access points and VoIP phones without needing an external midspan injector or multiple switches.
- Flexible uplinks:Two SFP ports allow fiber uplinks to network closets, long-distance links, or uplinks to core switches — useful in multi-building or campus-style deployments.
- Simple deployment:Unmanaged, plug-and-play operation minimizes configuration time. This suits environments where IT staff prefer a low-overhead install.
- Reliable physical build:Metal chassis, rack brackets and surge protection provide durability and protection in commercial settings.
- Appropriate performance:36 Gbps switching capacity and ~26.78 Mpps forwarding rate handle typical SMB traffic patterns at Gigabit speeds for connected devices.
Use cases and scenarios where the RG-ES118GS-P excels
This switch is aimed at scenarios where the combination of multiple Gigabit ports, a strong PoE budget and simple deployment is most valuable. Representative use cases include:
Retail stores and small branch offices often need reliable network access points and IP cameras. The RG-ES118GS-P can power multiple Wi‑Fi access points and PoE cameras from a single device, keeping wiring tidy and reducing the need for separate power supplies. Unmanaged operation means store managers or small IT teams can install and get the network running quickly.
IP camera deployments are one of the most common PoE use cases. Because many cameras draw significant power — particularly PTZ or cameras with heaters — the 247 W budget enables you to feed a dozen or more mid-to-high power cameras without planning complex power distribution.
For small office or branch locations deploying multiple access points, this switch can provide both the network and power for APs. The two SFP uplinks help link to a central site or aggregate traffic to a backbone switch without consuming a copper uplink port.
When you need temporary networked power — for kiosks, camera rigs or event Wi‑Fi — the switch’s compact form, rack brackets and high PoE budget make it a convenient, transportable option.
Comparisons with similar products in the market
When evaluating the RG-ES118GS-P, consider three main comparison axes: PoE budget, manageability and price-to-performance.
- PoE budget:A 247 W budget is generous for a 16-port PoE switch. Many comparable 16-port switches offer budgets ranging from ~120 W (basic PoE) up to 240 W (PoE+ focused). That extra headroom on the RG-ES118GS-P gives more flexibility when connecting higher-draw devices.
- Manageability:This Ruijie is an unmanaged switch. That makes it simple and cost-effective, but it lacks VLANs, QoS configuration and monitoring typically found in managed or smart switches. If you need granular traffic control or advanced monitoring, a managed PoE switch would be a better fit.
- Price and warranty:With a suggested retail price of around $249.99 and a three-year warranty, it sits competitively for SMB hardware. For teams that value low upfront cost and straightforward operation, unmanaged PoE switches like this deliver good bang-for-buck compared with managed alternatives that carry a higher price and steeper learning curve.
Practical takeaway: choose the RG-ES118GS-P if you prioritize a high PoE budget, simple deployment and a modest price tag. Choose a managed switch if you need advanced network controls, VLAN segmentation or SNMP monitoring.
Customer feedback and representative reviews
Public user reviews for specific vendor models can vary by channel and region. Below are representative, anonymized sample comments that reflect the kinds of feedback installers and small-business users commonly report for this class of switch:
- "Straightforward to install — plugged in our access points and cameras and everything powered up without fuss. Good PoE budget for the price."
- "Durable metal case and the mounting brackets made rack installation easy. We appreciated the SFP ports for linking to our comms closet."
- "No configuration was needed, which is great for small stores. The only downside was that we couldn't set VLANs or QoS — for that you'd need a managed model."
Note: these are illustrative remarks based on typical user experiences for unmanaged PoE+ switches and not direct quotes from a verified review database. Always check recent reviews and channel feedback for your region before purchasing.
Considerations and lifecycle note
Two important practical notes when planning to use this switch:
- End-of-Sale status:The RG-ES118GS-P has an End-of-Sale (EoS) date of 21 May 2024. For short-term projects or immediate deployments this is usually not an issue, but for long-term or large-scale rollouts you should confirm Ruijie’s support, firmware availability and replacement recommendations.
- Unmanaged limitations:While unmanaged switches are easy to deploy, they lack features found on managed devices. If your network requires segmentation, traffic shaping or remote SNMP monitoring, plan to either supplement with managed hardware or choose a managed PoE switch.
Conclusion — why the RG-ES118GS-P is a strong choice
The Ruijie RG-ES118GS-P is a practical, cost-conscious PoE+ switch that balances a high PoE power budget with simple, plug-and-play operation. Its 16 Gigabit PoE/PoE+ ports and two SFP uplinks make it well suited to CCTV installations, small office Wi‑Fi deployments and retail environments where ease of installation and reliable power delivery matter most. The metal chassis, surge protection and three-year warranty contribute to its suitability for commercial use.
While it is unmanaged and has an EoS notice to be aware of, the RG-ES118GS-P is an attractive option if you need a straightforward PoE+ solution at a competitive price (suggested retail around $249.99). For installations that require advanced network controls or long vendor lifecycle guarantees, evaluate managed PoE switches or confirm Ruijie’s support roadmap before committing to larger deployments.
For technical deep-dive and installation guidance, consult the vendor datasheet and user manual (datasheet URL: https://cdn.dynamictech.uk/uploads/datasheets/rg-es118gs-pdatasheet.pdf; manual URL: https://cdn.dynamictech.uk/uploads/datasheets/rg-es118gs-pusermanual.pdf) and review lifecycle and support options with your supplier.
