NETGEAR introduces new solutions to simplify network management and enhance performance in professional environments.
The company has announced that version 2.4 of NETGEAR Engage™ Controller is now available for free download on Windows and macOS.
Engage Controller 2.4 runs as a portable application, so no installation is required. It can even be run from a USB drive on both Windows and macOS. In addition, while it works offline, connecting to the internet allows it to detect and apply switch firmware updates with a single click.
The main new feature in version 2.4 is offline provisioning: it allows users to design and configure virtual switches and access points for an existing or new installation without the need for physical hardware. When devices arrive onsite, configurations can be applied via Auto-Onboard or manual assignment using serial numbers or MAC addresses. Virtual sites are saved as reusable templates, speeding up and standardising future deployments.
Engage automates complex networking tasks that traditionally slow down AV-over-IP deployments, such as multicast configuration, VLAN setup, quality of service, and inter-VLAN routing. Based on certified profiles, it automatically applies the correct settings for Dante, NDI, SMPTE ST 2110, AES67 and many other protocols, and displays a real-time network topology map for quick verification.
These changes respond directly to market demand. As Eric Snider, CTO at CTI, explains: “We were already saving significant time and cost per port on every deployment with NETGEAR switches. With Engage 2.4’s offline provisioning, that improves even further. Being able to arrive onsite with the network essentially pre-configured changes the process for our integrators and customers, who experience less downtime”.
We are continuously developing our products and services. One of our preferred approaches when deciding what to launch next is listening to the needs and challenges of installers and customers. Offline provisioning is a great new feature, and we plan to continue adding more capabilities to NETGEAR Engage, explains Laurent Masia, Senior Director of Product Line Management at NETGEAR.
New M4352 models on the way
NETGEAR will also release two new M4350 managed switches this spring. The M4350-16C addresses performance demands in large-scale AV-over-IP environments. It offers 16 ports of 100G connectivity and is designed for aggregation and core layers, where multiple high-resolution video streams converge. With these additions, the M4350 range now includes 18 models, spanning from 1G to 100G, all featuring enterprise-grade management, modular redundant power options, SMPTE ST 2110 timing support (including grandmaster and boundary clock functionality), and TAA-compliant versions for government deployments.
The M4350-16M4V is designed for broadcast and live production environments where reliable physical connections are critical. It features industry-standard Neutrik® locking connectors throughout: etherCON® for network, opticalCON® for fibre, and powerCON® for power, reducing the risk of accidental disconnections during setup or live events. The switch delivers 16 x 2.5G PoE++ ports (up to 1,130W total), including eight etherCON ports, along with 4 x 25G SFP28 uplinks via a modular slot. Optional interface cards support RJ-45, single-mode fibre, or multimode fibre, offering maximum flexibility. A TAA-compliant version is also available.
