Comtrol RocketLinx PoE+ Switch Could Use a Boost

Learn if Comtrol’s RocketLinx ACS7106 is the best product for your installation job with SSI’s Bench Test review.

Two of the biggest features promoted for this switch are the temperature range and the UL294B certification. While UL294B certification isn’t common on this type of product, it isn’t unique either. Other products advertise UL508 or just UL, and we suspect many people buying a switch with a UL listing are doing so to satisfy a checklist or electrical inspector, in which case the UL294B certification is of mixed value. If you need it, you know who you are.

The operating temperature capabilities of -40⁰ to 55⁰ C are a different story. For a product of this type, that’s pretty unremarkable. The Interlogix NS3552-8P-2S (reviewed in July 2014) is rated from -40⁰ to 75⁰ C. In fact, a search of various industrial network switches shows the high end of this range (55⁰ C) to be pretty much the bare minimum, with many products rated higher and none that we could find rated lower.

Setup and Testing

If not for our problems with the alarm feature, we’d consider setup a breeze. Find a power source, connect it to the power connector, plug in your network devices, and you’re good to go. If you want to use the alarm feature, you enable (or disable) a DIP switch for each port, and you’re done. If UL listing is a concern, connect a ground wire to the supplied screw and you’re done.

Verdict

  • Features: 2/5
  • Construction: 2/5
  • Setup: 5/5
  • Performance: 3/5
  • Overall: 3/5

We powered some IP cameras and ran a number of signals through the switch for several days without a hitch. Operating in a lab environment did not prove to be a challenge for this product, and our overall impression was that the product is a competent performer. Our main issue with this product is a new area we’re going to start factoring into our reviews: value.

Conclusions

Where we struggled the most with the RocketLinx ACS7106 is value, or “bang for the buck,” plain and simple. It occupies a unique middle ground in terms of price and performance. For the selling price, you can easily find products that have more features (managed switches with SFP ports), are better constructed, and have Gigabit speeds across all ports. For less money, you can find similar products with similar features – and when we say less money, we mean about half to two-thirds the cost. But if you are looking for fairly basic features at a high price point – or, to twist an old saying, you have beer tastes on a champagne budget – this is the product for you.

Products are tested and reviewed by R. Grossman and Associates Inc., an independent consulting firm specializing in electronic security products and projects. For more information, visit www.tech-answers.com.

 

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About the Author

Contact:

Bob Grossman has held positions in all areas of the security industry — giving him plenty of opportunity to learn from his mistakes! Bob has authored articles for SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION and other publications and has spoken at numerous industry events both internationally and in the United States. Currently the founder and president of R. Grossman and Associates, a consulting firm, he divides his time between project-based work for large integrated systems and product consulting for a variety of cutting-edge manufacturers. For more information, visit www.tech-answers.com.

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