MikroTik netPower Outdoor PoE Switches in Lebanon
MikroTik netPower Outdoor Switches: Tower-Ready PoE for Lebanon
MikroTik's netPower series includes three outdoor-rated switches designed for tower sites, elevator shafts, and pole-mounted installations: the netPower 15FR, the netPower 16P, and the netPower Lite 7R. Each model wraps switching and PoE functionality in a weatherproof outdoor enclosure with hose clamp mounting — eliminating the need for indoor cabinets at remote sites.
HI-GAIN stocks all three netPower models at our Dora, Beirut warehouse. Lebanese WISPs, surveillance installers, and network integrators rely on these switches at tower sites across Mount Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and the northern coast.
netPower 15FR vs netPower 16P vs netPower Lite 7R — Full Comparison
| Specification | netPower 15FR | netPower 16P | netPower Lite 7R |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model Code | CRS318-1Fi-15Fr-2S-OUT | CRS318-16P-2S+OUT | CSS610-1Gi-7R-2S+OUT |
| Ethernet Ports | 16x 10/100 | 16x Gigabit | 8x Gigabit |
| PoE Direction | 15x Reverse PoE-in, 1x PoE-out | 16x PoE-out (up to 30W each) | 7x Reverse PoE-in, 1x PoE-out |
| SFP Uplinks | 2x 1G SFP | 2x 10G SFP+ | 2x 10G SFP+ |
| Switching Capacity | 7.2 Gbps | 72 Gbps | 56 Gbps |
| CPU | 98DX224S, 2-core 800 MHz | 98DX226S, 2-core 800 MHz | 98DX226S, 2-core 800 MHz |
| RAM | 256 MB | 256 MB | 256 MB |
| Max Power Draw | 29W (switch only) | Varies by PSU | 29W (switch only) |
| IP Rating | IP54 | IP54 | IP54 |
| Operating Temp | -40°C to +70°C | -40°C to +70°C | -40°C to +70°C |
| PSU Included | No | No | No |
| Software | RouterOS L5 / SwitchOS | RouterOS / SwitchOS | SwitchOS |
Understanding Reverse PoE vs Standard PoE-Out
The netPower 15FR and netPower Lite 7R use reverse PoE — the connected devices power the switch, not the other way around. MikroTik radios like the BaseBox 5 or SXT SA5 ac pass power through their Ethernet port to the switch. This eliminates the need for a separate PSU at the switch; the radios themselves supply the power.
The netPower 16P works in the opposite direction: the switch provides PoE-out (802.3af/at or passive) to connected devices. You need a separate 24V or 48V power supply connected to the netPower 16P, and it distributes power to up to 16 radios or cameras.
When to Use Reverse PoE (15FR / Lite 7R)
Reverse PoE is ideal when each connected radio already has its own PoE injector at the base of the tower. The radios send power up the cable to the switch mounted alongside them on the mast. This distributed power architecture avoids running a high-amperage PSU cable up the tower.
When to Use Standard PoE-Out (16P)
Use the netPower 16P when you want centralized power distribution from a single PSU or battery bank to all radios on the tower. This simplifies UPS design — one battery system powers the switch, which powers all radios. Lebanese towers running on generator-backed systems benefit from this centralized approach.
Deployment Scenarios in Lebanon
WISP Tower with Multiple Sectors
A 6-sector tower site in Aley or Chouf running mANTBox ax 15s sectors: mount a netPower 16P at the base of the antenna array. Connect the 48V PSU in the shelter, run a single power cable to the switch, and distribute PoE to all six sectors plus two backbone radios. The two 10G SFP+ uplinks carry aggregated traffic back to the shelter via fiber.
Elevator Shaft Distribution
In a multi-story Beirut commercial building, mount the netPower Lite 7R in the elevator shaft at the mid-point. Seven reverse-PoE ports accept connections from floor-level MikroTik APs, each powered by its own injector in the floor's electrical closet. The two 10G SFP+ ports uplink to the building's core switch in the basement.
Outdoor Surveillance Hub
A 12-camera surveillance installation at a Lebanese industrial complex: mount a netPower 16P on a pole near the camera cluster. Connect a 48V PSU in a nearby weatherproof box, and run PoE cables to each camera. SFP+ fiber carries the aggregated video feeds back to the NVR in the security office.
Power Supply Selection
All three netPower models ship without a power supply. For the netPower 16P, use a 48V PSU rated for the total PoE load plus the switch's own consumption. MikroTik's 48POW (70W) handles light loads; the 48V2A96W (96W) covers 8-10 mid-power devices. For full 16-port loads with 802.3af/at devices, use a third-party 48V PSU rated at 300W+ or a dedicated PoE power supply.
Where to Buy MikroTik netPower Switches in Lebanon
HI-GAIN stocks all three netPower outdoor switches, compatible SFP modules, and power supplies at our Dora, Beirut warehouse. We provide tower deployment consultation and bulk pricing for multi-site WISP rollouts. Browse all MikroTik switches in Lebanon, check real-time stock, or call +961 3 337 666.