Three New Hardened Ethernet Switches From Comnet
by Alex Trace
Comnet has added three new Ethernet switches to its portfolio: the CNG7F2T5P, CWX4F20T4M, and CNX16F4T12MPB. Each one addresses a scenario that comes up repeatedly in security, industrial, and government network design: unmanaged edge deployments, high-power PoE for demanding field devices, and high-density managed cores. All three are TAA and NDAA compliant.
Why TAA/NDAA Compliance Belongs on Your Checklist
TAA (Trade Agreements Act) and NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) compliance determine whether a switch is eligible for federal, state, municipal, and critical-infrastructure contracts. Specifying a non-compliant switch mid-project can trigger a change order, a resubmittal, or a lost bid. Building your standard lineup around compliant hardware removes that risk before it becomes a problem.
The Three New Switches
CNX16F4T12MPB — High-Power PoE for the Toughest Field Devices
The CNX16F4T12MPB is a hardened, DIN-rail managed switch built for installations where standard PoE budgets run short. It delivers up to 360W across 12 ports, with 802.3bt 90W capability for high-draw devices including PTZ cameras, access control panels, and multi-radio wireless access points. Four 10G SFP+ uplinks provide the backhaul capacity to support that power load without creating a bottleneck.
Best for: PTZ camera runs, high-power access control, and any field device that has outgrown a standard 30W or 60W PoE+ port.
CNG7F2T5P — Hardened, Unmanaged, and Ready at the Edge
The CNG7F2T5P is a hardened, unmanaged 5-port PoE+ switch with a 120W power budget, rated for -40°C to +75°C operation. No configuration required. Connect it and it works, which makes it the right call for remote cabinets, outdoor enclosures, and edge locations where simplicity and environmental durability are the specification.
Best for: Small camera or sensor clusters at the network edge, remote sites, and installations where plug-and-play deployment matters more than managed features.
CWX4F20T4M — 28-Port Managed Core With Room to Grow
The CWX4F20T4M is a commercial 28-port managed switch with four 10G SFP+ uplinks and up to 24 additional SFP ports, supported by full Layer 2+ security and redundancy features. It gives growing networks the headroom to expand without adding a second switch chassis.
Best for: Distribution and core layers in mid-to-large security, ITS, or campus deployments.
Choosing the Right Switch for Your Project
|
Need |
Recommended Switch |
|
Maximum PoE power per port |
CNX16F4T12MPB |
|
Simple, unmanaged edge deployment |
CNG7F2T5P |
|
High port count with managed Layer 2+ features |
CWX4F20T4M |
|
TAA/NDAA compliance for government contracts |
All three |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these hardened ethernet switches TAA and NDAA compliant?
Yes. The CNG7F2T5P, CWX4F20T4M, and CNX16F4T12MPB are all TAA and NDAA compliant, making them eligible for federal, state, and other contracts that mandate compliant sourcing.
Which industrial ethernet switch delivers the most PoE power?
The CNX16F4T12MPB, with up to 360W across 12 ports, including 802.3bt 90W ports for high-draw devices.
Is there a zero-configuration option?
Yes. The CNG7F2T5P is a fully unmanaged 5-port PoE+ switch designed for plug-and-play deployment at the network edge.
What is the largest port count in this release?
The CWX4F20T4M offers 28 total ports: four 10G SFP+ uplinks plus up to 24 additional SFP ports, with full Layer 2+ security and redundancy features.
See the Full Lineup
Whether you need edge simplicity, core scalability, or maximum PoE headroom, there is now a Comnet switch built for it, with TAA/NDAA compliance across all three models. Explore the full Ethernet switch lineup or find a distributor near you to get these switches specified into your next project.
Related Posts
Unmanaged Industrial Ethernet Switch: Why Engineers Specify Comnet for Harsh-Environment Networks
A roadside cabinet in August. A conveyor line full of motor noise. A pump station nobody visits for months. An unmanaged industrial Ethernet switch earns its place in these locations by doing one job without attention, and the hardware you choose decides whether that edge network stays in service for a decade or becomes a recurring service call.
What Is Industrial Ethernet Switch Technology? A Guide for Critical Infrastructure Networks
A substation relay loses its link during a switching surge. A roadside camera drops offline in a heat wave. A packaging line stalls because the network switch in its control cabinet failed after two summers. In each case, the failed component was built for an office, not the field, and industrial Ethernet switches exist to close that gap.
How Does an Ethernet Switch Work? A Network Engineer's Guide to Switching, PoE, and Comnet's Hardened Hardware
A single dropped camera feed at a substation gate or a stalled badge reader at a hospital entrance rarely comes down to bad luck. More often, it traces back to how the Ethernet switch handling that traffic was chosen, configured, or hardened for its environment.