PACKETPERF

Primary Device

Ubiquiti UniFi Switch Pro Max 16 PoE
Ubiquiti UniFi Switch Pro Max 16 PoE
★ 4.1 Value Score

Technical Specifications

  • Switching Capacity: 360 Gbps
  • Forwarding Rate: 268 Mpps
  • Ports: 16x Gigabit Ethernet PoE + 2x 10G SFP+ uplink
  • PoE Budget: 240W total
  • Layer: L3 (Managed/Routing)
  • Stacking Support: Yes, stackable via stacking ports
  • Max Power Consumption: 400W
  • Dimensions: 17.3 x 8.9 x 1.7 inches
  • Management: UniFi Controller / Web UI

Curation Review

  • ✔ Pros: 240W PoE budget for high device density; Dual 10G SFP+ uplink ports for high-bandwidth core connectivity; Layer 3 routing capabilities for VLAN and inter-subnet management; Centralized UniFi controller integration with intuitive dashboard; Stackable design for scalable network growth; Fanless or near-silent operation; Enterprise-grade build quality in compact form factor
  • ✘ Cons: Requires UniFi Controller for advanced management features (standalone mode is limited); Higher initial cost compared to unmanaged switches; Limited to 10G uplinks rather than 40G or higher bandwidth options; Learning curve for users unfamiliar with UniFi ecosystem; No console port for legacy terminal-based management; PoE budget may be insufficient for very high-density deployments with power-hungry APs
  • Est. Price: $899 - $1,399

Compare Against

Cisco Catalyst 9500
Cisco Catalyst 9500
★ 3.3 Value Score

Technical Specifications

  • Switching Capacity: 38.4 Tbps
  • Forwarding Rate: 2.56-38.4 Tbps (configuration-dependent)
  • Ports: Modular: 12-40 ports (10GbE to 400GbE capable)
  • Port Breakdown: C9500-12Q: 12u00d7100GbE QSFP28; C9500-40X: 40u00d710GbE SFP+
  • PoE Budget: Optional - available on select linecards
  • Layer Support: L2/L3 (Multi-layer)
  • Stacking Support: Yes - up to 8 units
  • Throughput (Aggregate): Up to 38.4 Tbps per chassis
  • Redundancy: Dual supervisors, dual power supplies

Curation Review

  • ✔ Pros: Modular design enables flexible port configurations and future upgrades; Industry-leading switching capacity (38.4 Tbps) for carrier-grade deployments; Advanced L3 routing with sophisticated QoS, security, and multicast capabilities; Stackable architecture supports seamless scaling to 8 units; Cisco IOS XE OS provides extensive features, automation, and security; Exceptional support for high-density 100GbE/400GbE connectivity
  • ✘ Cons: Extremely high capital expenditure ($150K–$500K+) unsuitable for small/medium deployments; Complex modular architecture requires significant operational expertise; High power consumption and cooling requirements; Licensing costs can add 30–50% to acquisition price; Over-engineered for most enterprise use cases; Limited ROI for organizations not requiring carrier-grade performance
  • Est. Price: $150,000 - $500,000

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