Fortinet FortiSwitch M426E-FPOE Multi-Gig PoE Campus Switch, Hardware Only (FS-M426E-FPOE)

Not every access switch needs 48 identical gigabit ports. The FortiSwitch M426E-FPOE is built for environments where a mix of port speeds and PoE power levels matches the actual device population; 16 standard GE PoE ports for IP phones and cameras, 8 multi-gig 2.5GE UPOE ports delivering up to 60 W each for Wi-Fi 6 APs or PTZ cameras, and 2 additional 5GE RJ45 ports for high-throughput wired endpoints, all backed by four 10GE SFP+ uplinks. At 420 W total PoE budget and a redundant power supply in a quiet 1U chassis, it fits IT closets and network rooms where noise and power redundancy both matter.

What’s in the Box

Hardware only: the switch, rack-mount hardware, power cables, and a console cable. No SFP+ transceivers are included. FortiCare support is sold separately; FC-10-M426E-247-02-12 for 1-year Premium coverage.

Hardware Specifications

Where It’s Strong

The M426E-FPOE solves a specific design problem: a floor or closet with a mix of standard PoE devices (phones, cameras), high-power PoE devices (Wi-Fi 6 APs, PTZ cameras drawing 30–60 W), and some multi-gig wired endpoints. A standard 48-port gigabit switch would bottleneck the APs; a full 48-port 2.5GE switch would be overbuilt for the phones and cameras. The M426E-FPOE’s tiered port layout; 1GE/at, 2.5GE/UPOE, 5GE, and 10GE SFP+; gives each device class exactly what it needs. The 420 W PoE budget comfortably covers the mix, and at 35 dBA the switch runs quietly enough for open-office or classroom IT closets.

Hardware Only vs. Bundled Support

This is a hardware-only purchase. The M426E-FPOE operates standalone as a managed Layer 2/3 switch, or integrates with an upstream FortiGate via FortiLink for Security Fabric policy and device profiling. No switch license is needed for FortiLink, provided the FortiGate has an active support contract. FortiCare for the switch is sold separately: FC-10-M426E-247-02-12 (Premium, 1-year) covers 24×7 TAC and next-business-day advance replacement.

Who Runs It

The M426E-FPOE suits IT teams managing mixed-device access environments: hotel floors with IP phones and APs, healthcare clinics with cameras and thin clients, or education facilities with high-density Wi-Fi and powered displays. The FortiLink integration is particularly useful in healthcare and education where device identity and per-port access control are required by compliance frameworks; NAC policies enforce automatically at device connect through FortiManager.

Moving Up

When port count or PoE budget outgrows the M426E-FPOE, the FortiSwitch 648F-FPOE (FS-648F-FPOE) steps up to 48x multi-gig PoE ports (2.5GE/5GE) with 1,800 W total PoE budget and 8x 25GE SFP28 uplinks. For environments already running the M426E-FPOE and needing more capacity in the same closet, multiple units can be stacked under a single FortiGate without additional licensing.

Buying from DataCenter360.ca

DataCenter360.ca stocks the FS-M426E-FPOE in Canada and ships next business day. As a Fortinet Select Partner and MSSP, we handle both the hardware order and any FortiCare contracts in a single transaction. If you’re sizing a multi-switch deployment for a campus renovation or a new building, contact us for a volume quote and compatibility review with your existing FortiGate models.

Frequently Asked Questions