FS S3260-8MU vs S3200-8MG4S-U: Which 8-port Multi-Gig PoE Switch Fits Your Network Best?

SheldonOct 31, 20251 min read

Understanding Network Demands and PoE Needs

Modern networks are evolving rapidly, with more devices requiring high-speed connections and reliable power. 8-port multi-gig PoE switches provide an ideal balance of connectivity and power delivery for small to medium networks. These switches support a range of devices including Wi-Fi 6E access points, IP cameras, and VoIP phones, simplifying deployment while reducing cabling complexity.

FS has been at the forefront of multi-gig PoE switch development, such as the FS S3260‑8MU and S3200‑8MG4S-U, offering solutions tailored to different network requirements. Understanding the strengths of these 8-port PoE switches is key to selecting the right device for your environment.

Recognizing Shared Strengths and Core Capabilities

As 8-port multi-gig PoE switches, both the FS S3260‑8MU vs. S3200‑8MG4S-U deliver consistent performance, intelligent management, and energy-efficient operation, forming a strong foundation for small to medium networks.

Seamless Multi-Gig Connectivity

Both the FS 8-port PoE switch S3260‑8MU and S3200‑8MG4S-U feature 8 RJ45 ports that support multi-gigabit speeds, with the primary ports capable of operating at 1G and 2.5G for high-speed connectivity. The S3260‑8MU includes 4 × 1G/10G SFP+ uplinks, while the S3200‑8MG4S-U offers 4 × 10G SFP+ uplinks. Overall, both models are designed as 2.5G multi-gig PoE switches, providing stable and flexible connections for devices such as Wi-Fi 6/6E access points, NAS units, and 4K video devices.

Smart Management for Flexible Networks

The FS S3260‑8MU vs. S3200‑8MG4S-U are 8-port multi-gig PoE switches designed for flexible, efficient network management. They support advanced L2+ features such as VLANs, QoS, ACLs, and STP/RSTP, enabling administrators to segment traffic, prioritize bandwidth, prevent network loops, and ensure consistent performance across all connected devices. These switches offer multiple management interfaces, including WEB, CLI, SNMP, and SSH, allowing centralized monitoring without additional license costs — a consistent advantage of FS managed switches.

Highlighting Key Differences and Functional Advantages

While they share core strengths, the 8-port PoE switch S3260‑8MU vs. S3200‑8MG4S-U differ in hardware design, PoE capabilities, management features, and target scenarios.

Power Delivery and PoE Capability: 90W PoE++ vs 45W PoE+

The S3260-8MU supports PoE++ and can deliver up to 90W per port, with a total of 240W, making it ideal for powering Wi-Fi 6E access points, PTZ cameras, or digital signage. The S3200-8MG4S-U supports PoE+ with up to 45W per port and a total of 250W, making it well-suited for standard IP phones, Wi-Fi 6E access points, and IP cameras, providing a balance of power and cost efficiency.

Cooling and Acoustic Design: Quiet Fan vs Dual High-Efficiency Fans

The S3260-8MU multi-gig PoE switch features an intelligent quiet-mode fan operating at around 40 dB, making it well-suited for offices, studios, or open work environments where a silent atmosphere is preferred. The fan automatically adjusts its speed based on temperature, providing effective cooling while maintaining low noise levels.

In contrast, the S3200-8MG4S-U multi-gig PoE switch is equipped with dual high-efficiency fans (about 52 dB) that deliver stronger airflow and enhanced heat dissipation. This ensures stable performance even under continuous or high-load conditions, making it ideal for racks, equipment rooms, or other environments that demand consistent thermal control.

Network Intelligence: Voice VLAN & sFlow Exclusive to S3200-8MG4S-U

The S3200-8MG4S-U multi-gig PoE switch includes support for Voice VLAN, allowing VoIP traffic to be prioritized for smoother, uninterrupted calls. It also features sFlow, providing advanced traffic monitoring and analysis for better visibility into network performance. These functions are not available on the S3260-8MU. Such capabilities are useful in environments where managing voice traffic and monitoring network activity in real time are important, such as offices or small enterprise networks.

Security Architecture: Control-Plane Protection vs User Authentication

Both the S3260-8MU vs. S3200-8MG4S-U offer robust security features, though their focus differs slightly. The S3260-8MU emphasizes network stability and control-plane protection with ACLs, CoPP, Dynamic ARP Inspection, DHCP Snooping, and IPv4 Source Guard.

The S3200-8MG4S-U focuses more on user authentication and access management, providing AAA, 802.1X, RADIUS, TACACS+, and DHCP Snooping, making it suitable for environments where verifying user identity and controlling network access are important.

To make it easier to compare the FS S3260‑8MU vs. S3200‑8MG4S-U multi-gig PoE switch at a glance, the following table summarizes their key specifications and feature differences:

Model	S3260‑8MU	S3200‑8MG4S-U
Ports	8x 10/100/1000M/2.5GBASE-T RJ45 4x 1G/10G SFP+	8x 100/1000M/2.5GBASE-T 4x 10Gb SFP+
PoE	PoE++ 90W/port, 240W total	PoE+ 45W/port, 250W total
Fan / Noise	One intelligent fan (~40 dB)	Dual high-efficiency fans (~52 dB)
Voice VLAN	No	Yes
sFlow	No	Yes
Security	ACLs, CoPP, Dynamic ARP Inspection, DHCP Snooping, IPv4 Source Guard	AAA, 802.1X, RADIUS, TACACS+, DHCP Snooping
Management	Support CLI/WEB/SNMP/SSH/RMON for Flexible Operation	Support CLI/WEB/SNMP/SSH/RMON for Flexible Operation

Which 8-Port Multi-Gig PoE Switch Fits Your Network Best?

Choosing between the FS S3260-8MU vs. S3200-8MG4S-U depends on deployment goals and network needs. Both provide 8-port multi-gig PoE performance, but each has distinct strengths.

FS S3260-8MU: Optimized for Quiet Workspaces and High-Power Devices

Ideal for offices, meeting spaces, or open work areas, the S3260-8MU delivers quiet operation and high PoE output. Its PoE++ (90W per port) easily powers Wi-Fi 6E APs, PTZ cameras, and interactive terminals, while the quiet fan minimizes noise. Its quiet fan design ensures that it operates unobtrusively in open office or front-desk environments.

FS S3200-8MG4S-U: Built for Secure and Voice-Centric Enterprise Networks

The S3200-8MG4S-U is suited for networks that require traffic visibility, authentication, and voice prioritization, such as campuses, hotels, or corporate offices. Features like Voice VLAN, AAA, and sFlow enable granular control and traffic monitoring, ensuring secure and stable communications across user segments. It is better for structured enterprise environments where centralized authentication and continuous traffic monitoring are critical for performance and compliance.

If the 8-port options above don't quite meet your network needs, FS provides a comprehensive range of multi-port switches designed for larger or more specialized deployments. Discover our full selection of FS multi-gig PoE switches to achieve flexible, future-ready connectivity.