Introducing SonicWall Multi-gig switches: Unlocking next-gen connectivity

What happens when the devices at the edge of your network become faster than the infrastructure connecting them? As businesses adopt AI-powered applications, Wi-Fi 6/6E and Wi-Fi 7 access points, and increasingly sophisticated connected devices, the demands on network infrastructure continue to grow. Higher wireless throughput, more connected endpoints, and increasingly power-hungry devices require switching infrastructure that can keep pace. Yet, traditional Gigabit Ethernet access ports and limited Power over Ethernet (PoE) capacity can constrain the performance and deployment of newer technologies.

This creates a growing challenge for IT teams. Upgrading to faster wireless access points and advanced edge devices delivers limited value if the underlying switching infrastructure cannot support their bandwidth and power requirements. At the same time, replacing existing cabling to accommodate higher network speeds can make modernization projects expensive and disruptive, particularly across large or distributed environments.

Organizations therefore need a practical way to increase network capacity and power delivery while making the most of their existing infrastructure. Multi-gigabit switching addresses this challenge by providing faster access speeds, greater PoE capabilities, and high-speed uplinks, while supporting compatible existing cabling.

Introducing the SonicWall Multi-gig Switching Portfolio

The SonicWall Multi-Gig Switch Portfolio, a new generation of managed Layer 2 switches with Layer 3 static routing designed to power today’s demanding network environments. With faster multi-gig access ports, enhanced Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities, and high-speed 10G uplinks, these switches deliver the performance, flexibility, and scalability that growing businesses need. Built for SMBs, mid-market organizations, distributed enterprises, and Managed Service Providers (MSPs), the portfolio offers four models to meet diverse connectivity requirements: SWS24-8FPOE, SWS24-24FPOE, SWS24-48FPOE, and SWS34-8FPOE.

The SonicWall Multi-Gig Switch Portfolio helps businesses meet growing network demands with faster connectivity, reliable power for modern access points and edge devices, and support for existing cabling. But the benefits go beyond hardware performance. With SonicWall Unified Management, switching is integrated into the same platform that manages SonicWall firewalls and access points, giving IT teams a more consistent way to manage their network security infrastructure without adding another standalone system.

Key Features and Customer Benefits

The multi-gig portfolio combines faster access speeds, flexible PoE, streamlined management, and high-capacity uplinks. Let's look at the benefits each capability brings.

1. Give Modern Access Points the Bandwidth They Need

As wireless technology advances, the wired network needs to keep pace. The SonicWall Multi-Gig portfolio features multi-gigabit Ethernet ports that enable compatible access points and other high-throughput devices to perform beyond the limits of a traditional 1 Gbps connection.

The SWS24 models offer 2.5 Gbps ports, while the SWS34-8FPOE supports speeds of up to 10 Gbps across all eight RJ45 ports. This additional bandwidth helps accommodate growing traffic demands and gives busy access points more room to handle connected users, video calls, and cloud applications.

While overall Wi-Fi performance still depends on client devices, wireless coverage, and upstream capacity, these switches help remove the access port as a potential bottleneck.

2. Increase Network Capacity Without Replacing Cabling

Improving network speeds does not always require new cabling or disruptive infrastructure upgrades. Multi-Gigabit Ethernet allows businesses to increase bandwidth while reusing compatible cabling already installed in their buildings.

The 2.5 Gbps ports on the SWS24 models support Cat 5e/ Cat 6 cabling, helping organizations upgrade connectivity without the cost and disruption of opening walls or replacing existing cable runs. Where 10 Gbps is required, the SWS34-8FPOE supports it over Category 6A cabling.

The ports automatically negotiate the highest speed supported by both connected devices, allowing existing Gigabit Ethernet devices to continue working at compatible speeds without additional configuration.

This gives businesses a practical way to improve network performance while making the most of their existing infrastructure.

3. Deliver Reliable Power to Connected Devices

Modern access points, pan-tilt-zoom cameras, and other network-connected devices often require more power than previous generations. Reliable PoE capabilities are therefore essential to supporting today's edge infrastructure.

The eight-port models provide PoE++ at up to 60 W per port, while the 24-port and 48-port models offer PoE+ across their ports. This gives businesses flexible options to power a range of devices directly through the network connection.

Administrators can configure power priorities to help keep critical devices, such as cameras, door controllers, and emergency phones, powered during periods of high demand. Scheduled power management can also turn off selected non-essential devices outside business hours.

These capabilities help simplify device deployments, improve power management, and reduce unnecessary energy consumption when offices and other facilities are closed.

4. Simplify Management Across Multiple Sites

Managing switches across multiple locations can be challenging, particularly when each device requires individual configuration. SonicWall Unified Management simplifies this process by bringing the Multi-Gig Switch portfolio into a common management platform.

Administrators can define port, PoE, VLAN, QoS, and access security settings through a Switch Policy and apply that policy to switches within a zone. Supported changes are reflected on managed devices in real time, helping maintain consistent configurations across the network.

When new switches are added to an existing zone, IT teams and MSPs can apply established policies rather than configuring every device manually. Local web and console management are also available for environments that require direct device access.

The result is a more consistent approach to network administration, with less repetitive work, faster deployments, and fewer configuration errors.

5. Keep Network Traffic Moving with 10G Uplinks

As access ports become faster, uplinks need enough capacity to carry traffic between switches and the rest of the network. Every model in the SonicWall Multi-Gig Switch portfolio includes four 10G SFP+ ports for connections to firewalls, core switches, servers, and other network infrastructure.

These high-speed uplinks help provide the capacity needed to move traffic beyond the access layer, supporting growing bandwidth requirements across the network.

The portfolio also builds on the switching feature set of the previous SonicWall switch generation, giving existing administrators a familiar management and operating experience as they upgrade their infrastructure.

How can your teams put them to work?

From high-performance office networks to distributed branch environments, the SonicWall Multi-Gig Switch Portfolio supports a range of connectivity and management requirements. Here are some ways organizations can use the portfolio to modernize network access and simplify operations.

1. Improve Connectivity in Busy Offices

Businesses upgrading conference rooms and open workspaces with Wi-Fi 7 access points need a wired network that can keep up. The SonicWall Multi-Gig Switch Portfolio enables compatible access points to connect via multi-gigabit ports, while desktops and IP phones can continue using Gigabit Ethernet where appropriate.

This gives the network more capacity to support video conferencing, cloud applications, and multiple connected devices during busy periods. IT teams can improve connectivity without having to replace existing cabling as part of the upgrade.

2. Standardize Connectivity Across Branch Offices and Retail Stores

For organizations with multiple locations, maintaining consistent network configurations can be time-consuming. With SonicWall Unified Management, IT teams can select a standard switch model, create a Switch Policy, and apply it to switches across their sites.

Access points, cameras, digital signage, and other connected devices can be powered and configured according to established requirements. This helps streamline new deployments, simplify remote support, and maintain a consistent approach to network management across locations.

3. Scale Managed Services More Efficiently

MSPs need to manage network infrastructure across multiple customer environments while keeping deployments and ongoing support manageable.

SonicWall Unified Management allows MSPs to manage switches across customer environments, use the Scope Selector to move between tenants, and apply standard Switch Policies to the appropriate customer zones.

When a new switch joins a zone, an established policy can help bring it into line with the existing configuration. This reduces repetitive setup work, speeds up onboarding, and helps MSPs deliver a more consistent service as their customer base expands.

4. Unify Operations Across Your SonicWall Ecosystem

The SonicWall Multi-Gig Switch Portfolio extends the SonicWall platform to the network access layer. Designed to work with SonicWall firewalls and SonicWave access points, the switches are managed through SonicWall Unified Management.

This gives customers a more consistent view of their network, from the perimeter to the access port, through familiar management workflows. Instead of introducing a separate system for switching, organizations already using SonicWall can extend their existing platform to include wired access infrastructure.

By bringing switching, wireless, and firewall management together, SonicWall helps IT teams simplify network operations and manage their infrastructure more consistently.

SonicWall Multi-Gig Switches: A Stronger Foundation for High-Performance Connectivity

With multi-gigabit performance, flexible PoE capabilities, 10G uplinks, and centralized management through SonicWall Unified Management, businesses can modernize their network infrastructure while making the most of their existing cabling and preparing for growing connectivity demands.

Whether you're preparing for a Wi-Fi 7 rollout, standardizing connectivity across branch offices, or looking to add more bandwidth and power at the network edge, the SonicWall Multi-Gig Switch Portfolio offers a practical way to move forward.

The SonicWall Multi-Gig Switch Portfolio will be available through SonicWall partners and sales representatives. To learn more about the portfolio and identify the right fit for your network, explore the product details and datasheets on the SonicWall website.

For guidance on selecting a model based on your network requirements, contact the SonicWall sales team or speak with an authorized SonicWall partner to discuss deployment planning and implementation.