Johannesburg 15 September 2026 – Duxbury Networking has announced the South African availability of the new HPE Networking Instant On Switch Series 1840 and 1940, expanding the options available to small and medium-sized businesses as their network requirements grow.
The two ranges address different levels of demand. The HPE Networking Instant On Switch Series 1840 provides smart-managed Layer 2 Gigabit switching for smaller networks, while the HPE Networking Instant On Switch Series 1940 adds Layer 2+ capabilities and higher-speed connectivity for environments carrying more demanding traffic.
For Duxbury Networking HPE BU Executive Warren Gordon, choosing between them starts with understanding what the network will be expected to support.
“Port count is only one part of switch selection,” says Gordon. “Partners also need to understand the devices being connected, the bandwidth they require, how much power the switch needs to provide, and where the customer’s network is likely to grow. That gives you a much better basis for choosing the right platform.”
Gigabit remains a strong fit for many SMB networks
The 1840 Series is designed for businesses that want managed networking without unnecessary operational complexity. It is available in 8-, 24- and 48-port configurations, with non-PoE and Class 4 PoE models.
PoE models can deliver up to 30W per supported port, allowing the switch to power equipment such as wireless access points, IP cameras and VoIP phones. The range also provides dedicated 1G SFP fibre connectivity on selected models.
Management can be handled remotely through the Instant On mobile app and cloud-hosted web portal or locally through a web GUI. Integrated security functionality includes VLANs, automatic denial-of-service protection, Global Storm Control, and TACACS+.
“For many smaller businesses, Gigabit connectivity is still entirely appropriate. What they need is a switch that gives them control over the network, supports the devices they are deploying and can be managed without adding unnecessary complexity. The 1840 gives partners a practical option for those environments,” says Gordon.
The range also includes energy-efficiency features such as Energy-Efficient Ethernet and automatic shutdown of inactive ports. Quick PoE on supported 1840 configurations allows connected PoE devices to begin receiving power earlier during switch start-up.
More capacity for higher-bandwidth environments
The 1940 Series is designed for SMB networks with higher performance requirements. It is also offered in 8-, 24-, and 48-port configurations, with options ranging from standard Gigabit to Multi-Gig.
HPE SmartRate Multi-Gigabit Ethernet is available on selected ports and supports 1GbE, 2.5GbE, 5GbE, and 10GbE connectivity. Depending on the model, the range also offers 1G or 10G fibre uplinks, giving partners more flexibility when designing networks for higher-throughput devices and faster wireless infrastructure.
The 1940 supports Class 4 PoE, up to 30W per port on PoE models, and includes static routing capabilities. It can be managed through the same Instant On mobile app and cloud-hosted portal or through the local web GUI.
HPE has also introduced cloud-based AI Policy functionality on the 1940, which can assist with port security, port profiles, and site cloning.
Gordon says higher wireless performance is one area where partners need to pay closer attention to the switching layer.
“Faster Wi-Fi places more traffic onto the wired network behind it, so the switch and its uplinks have to be sized accordingly. A customer may only need Multi-Gig connectivity on particular parts of the network. Having different port and uplink options gives the partner more freedom to design around the real requirement,” he says.
PoE needs to be planned with the network
Power requirements are also becoming a larger factor in switch selection as more network-connected equipment draws power directly over Ethernet.
Access points, cameras, and VoIP phones can all contribute to the PoE load, making the available power budget an important consideration alongside the number of physical ports.
Gordon says this is particularly relevant when a network is expected to expand over time.
“Partners should look at what is connected today and leave sensible capacity for what the customer is likely to add. You want enough bandwidth and PoE capacity for the deployment without specifying capabilities that the customer has no realistic use for,” he says.
Both ranges retain the Instant On approach to cloud and local management and are offered with a limited lifetime warranty. The HPE switches do not require additional software licensing fees for their core Instant On management capabilities.
For Duxbury, the addition of the 1840 and 1940 broadens the choice available to partners designing networks for South African SMB customers.
“The value is in being able to match the switch more closely to the environment,” says Gordon. “Some customers need dependable Gigabit switching with straightforward management. Others have higher-bandwidth devices or require faster uplinks. Our role is to help partners understand that requirement and build the network around it.”
The HPE Networking Instant On Switch Series 1840 and 1940 are available through Duxbury Networking and its reseller partner network.
For product availability, solution design, and HPE Networking Instant On enquiries, contact Duxbury Networking on +27 (0)11 351 9800 or visit www.duxbury.co.za.
— END —
About Duxbury Networking
Since its formation in 1984 by CEO Graham Duxbury, Duxbury Networking has continually adapted to ongoing technological changes within the ICT sector, providing its customers with access to the latest trends and solutions. Satisfying the evolving and diverse needs of its customer base is achieved by emphasising sourcing cost-effective, high-quality products from carefully selected local and international vendors. Aligned with this is the provision of uncompromising technical support, which is possible due to an extensive investment in the training and upskilling of its team. The company is driven to take an active role in reshaping and redefining the South African digital landscape as it works to help its customers build a network that will support current and future technologies.
