Grandstream GWN7821P Layer 3 Multi-Gig PoE++ Switch, 8 x 2.5G, 2 x SFP+, 240 W

Overview

The Grandstream GWN7821P is a compact network switch for places that are moving to faster Wi-Fi: its eight 2.5 Gbps ports connect and power multi-Gigabit access points and other devices that need more than 1 Gbps and more than 30 W. Each port supplies Power over Ethernet (PoE) at up to 60 W, two 10 Gbps SFP+ ports link it to the core, and it routes between network segments itself (Layer 3).

Is it right for you?

• Suits a small office or a floor with a handful of Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 access points, high-power cameras or other 2.5 Gbps devices.
• The 240 W PoE budget is shared, so four access points at the full 60 W would use all of it; add up the expected load before choosing.
• Choose it when you want routing between VLANs (virtual LANs) at the switch, with RIP, OSPF and BGP available.
• For more devices, the GWN7822P adds 16 Gigabit PoE ports to the same eight 2.5 Gbps ports.
• If your devices run at 1 Gbps and draw under 30 W, a standard Gigabit PoE switch is enough.

Key features

• Eight 2.5 Gbps RJ45 ports (100/1000/2500 Mbps), each with PoE to IEEE 802.3af/at/bt at up to 60 W, 240 W in total.
• Two 10 Gbps SFP+ uplinks, 80 Gbps switching capacity and 59.52 Mpps forwarding rate.
• Layer 3 routing: static routes plus RIP (Routing Information Protocol), OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) and BGP (Border Gateway Protocol), with RIPng and OSPFv3 for IPv6; 512 IPv4 and 128 IPv6 routes.
• Stacking of up to four switches as one logical device.
• 4K VLANs, private VLAN, voice VLAN, 32 link aggregation groups and 2K ACLs (access control lists).
• Built-in 280 W power supply (54 V, 5.19 A) with the AC cable included.
• The SFP+ ports accept direct attach copper (DAC) cables up to 5 m as well as fibre modules.

What else you need

• A mains socket: the power supply is built in and the AC cable is included.
• Cat5e or better cabling to the 2.5 Gbps devices.
• SFP+ modules for the 10 Gbps uplinks: these are not included. Grandstream’s F-MM850-300M-10G (multimode fibre, up to 300 m) and F-SM1310-10KM-10G (single-mode fibre, up to 10 km) match the port speed.
• No extra software is needed for local management: the web UI and command-line interface (CLI, over console, Telnet or SSH) are built in. For central management use GDMS Networking (cloud), GWN Manager (on-premises) or a GWN series router.

Installation

A network installer or IT team should fit and configure it. It mounts on a desk or in a rack; the rack kit is included. Connect the supplied ground cable, allow airflow for the two fans and keep the room between 0 and 45 °C. The unit measures 330 x 175 x 44 mm and weighs 1.9 kg.

Software and licences

Management is through the local web UI, the CLI, SNMP v1/v2c/v3, GDMS Networking in the cloud, GWN Manager on your own server or a GWN series router. Local management works without an internet connection; GDMS Networking needs one.

Before you buy

• The 240 W budget is shared: four devices at 60 W use all of it.
• Check that cabling to 2.5 Gbps devices is Cat5e or better.
• SFP+ modules are not included.
• Rated for 0 to 45 °C.