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Huawei eKit S110 vs S220 — Unmanaged vs Managed Switch
The most common switching question for UAE SMEs: do you need a simple plug-and-play switch, or do you need VLAN, management, and security features? Here's the honest answer.
Choose S110 if…
- →You only need a simple CCTV switch with no VLAN
- →You want zero configuration — literally plug in and go
- →Budget is the primary constraint
- →Temporary or single-purpose deployment
Choose S220 if… (most businesses)
- →You have WiFi access points, IP phones, or CCTV cameras on the same network
- →You need to separate guest WiFi from staff devices (VLAN)
- →You want to manage the switch remotely or see port status
- →Security matters — 802.1x, port security, MAC filtering
- →Any real office, hotel, school, or retail setup
The S220 costs slightly more but the extra management features are worth it for almost every real business deployment.
Huawei eKit S110 vs S220 — Spec Comparison
| Feature | S110 (Unmanaged) | S220 (Managed) |
|---|---|---|
| Switch Type | Unmanaged | Managed Layer 2 |
| Configuration | None — plug and play | Web, app, and cloud management |
| VLAN Support | No | Yes — 802.1Q VLANs |
| PoE Support | Yes — PoE+ (124W) | Yes — PoE+ (on P models) |
| Security Features | None | 802.1x, port security, MAC filtering |
| Cloud Management | No | Yes — iMaster NCE-Campus |
| QoS | No | Yes — voice/video prioritisation |
| Uplink Ports | 1× GE SFP + 1× GE RJ45 | 4× 10GE SFP+ |
| Complexity | Zero — no setup needed | Simple — guided setup available |
| Price | Lower | Moderate |
| Best For | CCTV-only, simple setups | Any real office network |
Real-World Use Cases
Small restaurant — CCTV only
S110Four IP cameras on one network, no VLANs needed, budget is tight. The S110 does the job.
Dubai office — 20 staff + guest WiFi
S220Staff VLAN, guest WiFi VLAN, CCTV VLAN — three separate networks on one switch. Needs the S220.
Hotel floor — 24 rooms with in-room APs
S220Each AP needs to be on a guest VLAN, management VLAN kept separate. S220 is the minimum.
CCTV-only retail store
S110Standalone NVR and cameras, no other network devices. S110 simplifies the installation.
School computer lab
S220Student VLAN, staff VLAN, content filtering on separate segments. VLAN support is essential.
Warehouse barcode scanners
S220Scanner devices, CCTV, and office PCs all on the same switch but separate VLANs. S220 handles this.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the Huawei eKit S110 and S220?
The S110 is an unmanaged switch — it works out of the box with no configuration required and has no VLAN or management features. The S220 is a fully managed Layer 2 switch with VLAN support, 802.1x authentication, QoS, cloud management, and advanced security features. If you need to separate networks (staff, guest WiFi, CCTV), you need the S220.
Can the Huawei eKit S110 support VLANs?
No — the S110 is an unmanaged switch and does not support VLANs. All ports are on the same network segment. If you need VLAN segmentation to separate staff, guest WiFi, CCTV, or different departments, you need the S220 or higher.
Is the Huawei eKit S110 good for a small UAE office?
The S110 is appropriate only if you have a single network with no VLAN requirements — for example, a simple CCTV-only network, a small retail shop with one internet connection, or a temporary setup. For any office with WiFi access points, separate staff and guest networks, or IP phones, you should use the S220 managed switch instead.
Which Huawei eKit switch is better for powering WiFi access points?
Both the S110 and S220 can power WiFi access points via PoE+. However, the S220 is the better choice because it also lets you put the APs on a separate VLAN from staff devices — which is standard best practice for business WiFi deployments. The S110 will power APs but everything shares the same flat network.
Can I upgrade from the S110 to the S220 later?
Yes — you can replace an S110 with an S220 at any time. The S220 uses the same cabling. However, you would need to reconfigure your network to take advantage of VLAN features. If you anticipate needing VLANs or management in the near future, it is more cost-effective to start with the S220.
Not sure which switch you need?
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