The Netgear GS305EP offers a reliable mix of smart management and Power over Ethernet (PoE+) capabilities in a compact 5-port switch. Designed for small office/home office (SOHO) environments, it’s perfect for powering devices like IP cameras, VoIP phones, or wireless access points—while offering essential management features such as VLANs, QoS, and IGMP Snooping.
Key Features
- 5 Gigabit Ethernet Ports, with 4 PoE+ Ports supporting IEEE 802.3af/at
- PoE Power Budget: 63W total, up to 30W per PoE+ port
- Smart Managed Plus Features: VLANs, QoS (Quality of Service), IGMP Snooping, Loop Prevention
- Switching Capacity: 10 Gbps
- Forwarding Rate: 7.4 Mpps
Terminology Breakdown
- PoE+ (Power over Ethernet Plus): Allows powering of compatible devices via Ethernet cables, eliminating the need for separate power adapters.
- VLAN (Virtual LAN): Helps segment network traffic for better security and performance.
- QoS (Quality of Service): Prioritizes critical traffic (e.g., VoIP, video conferencing) over general traffic to reduce latency and jitter.
- IGMP Snooping: Optimizes multicast traffic, useful in video streaming or IP surveillance networks.
Ports & Connectivity
- Ports: 5 x 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ45, 4 of which are PoE+
- Speed Per Port: Gigabit (1,000 Mbps)
- Uplink Ports: Not dedicated; any port can function as uplink
Power & Interface
- Power Interface: External AC adapter (100–240V)
- Power Connector: Barrel-type DC connector
- Power Cable Length: ~5 ft
- PoE Standard: IEEE 802.3af/at (PoE+), max 30W per port, 63W total budget
Design & Build
- Material: Durable metal housing
- Color: Slate grey
- Cooling: Fanless for silent operation
- Dimensions: 3.94 x 3.94 x 1.06 in (100 x 100 x 27 mm)
- Mounting: Desktop or wall-mountable
Ideal Use Cases
- Home offices needing to power VoIP phones or access points
- Small business security systems running PoE IP cameras
- Remote work setups requiring flexible, quiet operation
What We Like
- Compact design with metal construction
- Solid PoE+ support for up to 4 powered devices
- Easy-to-use web GUI for smart features
- Silent and energy-efficient
What We Don’t Like
- No dedicated uplink port
- Limited to basic smart management—not full Layer 3
Final Thoughts
The Netgear GS305EP strikes a great balance between price, performance, and control. It’s ideal for powering multiple PoE devices in a quiet, efficient way, while giving users access to useful management tools like VLANs and QoS—all without needing complex configurations.
