Cisco Meraki MS130-8P-HW 8-port PoE network switch

Cloud-managed desktop switch

The Cisco Meraki MS130-8P-HW is a desktop Layer 2 switch with eight Gigabit RJ45 ports and two SFP uplinks. It delivers 120 W of PoE budget across all ports, each capable of 30 W under the 802.3bt standard. An external 54 VDC power supply feeds the unit, which draws 8 W at idle and up to 128 W at maximum load. Zero-touch provisioning and cloud-based firmware updates simplify deployment for distributed sites.

Sustained PoE delivery and thermal profile

Under continuous load the switch maintains its full 120 W PoE budget without throttling individual ports below 30 W. The external power brick keeps internal heat low, so the chassis stays within operating limits even when all eight ports power cameras, access points or VoIP phones simultaneously. Idle consumption remains at 8 W, leaving headroom for the external supply’s 2.78 A rating during prolonged peak traffic.

Upgrade path from unmanaged PoE switches

This model replaces unmanaged or web-managed desktop switches that lack cloud visibility, per-port PoE scheduling or remote packet capture. The jump is worth it when administrators need network-wide topology maps, automatic firmware compliance and the ability to reboot powered devices from a single dashboard. It does not suit buyers who require Layer 3 routing, stacking cables or rack-mount brackets.