Fortinet FortiSwitch 424E-Fiber, 24-Port All-SFP Campus Switch (FS-424E-FIBER)

Copper is the default in most branch closets, but some deployments have good reasons to stay all-fiber at the access layer: runs longer than 100 m, existing fiber cabling infrastructure, or environments where EMI makes copper unreliable. The FortiSwitch 424E-Fiber fills that role with 24 GE SFP ports for fiber or media-converter connections, four 10GE SFP+ uplinks, and the same FortiLink integration found across the 424E family. No PoE, no RJ45 — just a clean, low-power fiber-access platform that plugs directly into a Fortinet Security Fabric managed by a FortiGate.

Hardware Specifications

Where the 424E-Fiber Fits Best

This switch is purpose-built for all-fiber access scenarios. Universities with fiber run to every office, healthcare facilities routing data over pre-existing multimode fiber plant, and large campuses where runs exceed 100 m are the common homes for this unit. The all-SFP port design also suits deployments that use SFP media converters to bridge existing long-run fiber cabling to endpoints that lack fiber NICs.

The shallow 200 mm chassis depth is a secondary benefit: when rack space is constrained or you are mounting in a shallow-depth wall cabinet, the 424E-Fiber fits where the deeper PoE variants would not. Power consumption of just 36 W average is among the lowest in the 424E family, making it economical in high-port-count deployments where energy cost per port matters.

FortiLink vs. Standalone Mode

In FortiLink mode, a connected FortiGate discovers and manages the 424E-Fiber just like any other FortiSwitch: VLAN profiles, NAC policies, 802.1X enforcement, IoT detection, and firmware updates all flow through FortiOS. Standalone mode provides a complete L2/L3 managed switch experience for environments without a FortiGate, including LACP, RSTP/MSTP, IGMP snooping, and 802.1X through the switch’s own management interface.

Hardware-only purchase means no FortiCare subscription is included. Adding FC-10-S424I-247-02-12 (FortiCare Premium, 1 year) covers TAC access and firmware access after the initial release period.

Who Buys This Switch

Network architects at Canadian post-secondary institutions, healthcare networks, and enterprise branch sites where fiber is the installed medium choose the 424E-Fiber when they need a FortiLink-compatible access switch without paying for PoE hardware they will never use. Government and education buyers on strict wattage budgets also find the 36 W operating power attractive compared to full-PoE variants.

Next Step Up

When you need more throughput or additional port capacity in the same SFP form factor, the FortiSwitch 624F (FS-624F) offers 24 RJ45 + 4x 10GE SFP+ ports in the F-generation with updated ASIC performance. For all-SFP fiber deployments needing higher port counts, the 600-series or Data Center line may be the better fit depending on your scale and uplink requirements.

Buying from DataCenter360.ca

DataCenter360.ca is a Canadian authorized Fortinet Select Partner with the FS-424E-Fiber in stock. The unit ships free in 0 to 1 business day, brand new, from our Canadian warehouse with Fortinet’s limited lifetime hardware warranty. The shallow chassis and low power draw make it easy to confirm fits before delivery — send us the rack dimensions or SFP transceiver requirements and we will verify compatibility before you order.