Purpose-built switching for growing businesses that need secure, reliable, and simple connectivity—without added complexity.
Small and medium-sized businesses are moving faster than ever. Teams are adopting more AI-centered applications, customers and guests are using AI on their mobile devices, and operations increasingly depend on connected devices—from access points and security cameras to point-of-sale systems, collaboration tools, and smart building technology. As these tools and systems evolve, the networks of yesteryear struggle to keep up with the bandwidth demands. It must help businesses operate securely, efficiently, and confidently.
That is why we are excited to introduce two new additions to the HPE Networking Instant On switching portfolio: the Instant On Switch Series 1940 and Instant On Switch Series 1840. Together, these new switches expand the choices available to our customers and community members, helping businesses match their network foundation to the way they work today—and the way they plan to grow tomorrow.
A better wired foundation for modern SMBs
Every business has different networking needs. Some organizations are preparing for higher bandwidth applications, denser user environments, multi-site operations, or more demanding wireless deployments. Others need dependable Gigabit access, practical PoE capacity, and simple management that keeps day-to-day operations running smoothly. The Instant On Switch Series 1940 and 1840 are designed to address both of these needs with the simplicity, security, and value our customers expect from Instant On.
Both series are managed through the HPE Networking Instant On Cloud Portal, mobile app, or a local web interface, providing businesses with flexible ways to deploy, monitor, and manage their wired networks. Just as important, they are built with no hidden subscription or licensing fees, helping organizations plan with greater confidence and reduce the total cost of ownership.
Meet the Instant On Switch Series 1940
The Instant On Switch Series 1940 is built for growing businesses that need more performance, more flexibility, and more room to scale. With Layer 2+ smart-managed switching, HPE Smart Rate Multi-Gigabit (2.5G, 5G, and 10G) capabilities, 10G fiber uplinks, and select high-budget PoE (up to 600W) models, the 1940 series helps support environments where network traffic is growing rapidly.
For customers deploying next-generation wireless access points, high-resolution surveillance, smart building devices, or AI-centered applications, the 1940 switches deliver a practical path to higher bandwidth support and bigger PoE budgets without adding unnecessary operational burden. Built-in static routing helps optimize local traffic flows, while advanced security features such as access control, traffic segmentation, and TPM 2.0 hardware-level validation help protect the network edge.
In short, the 1940 series is designed for customers who are ready to move beyond basic connectivity and build an AI-ready, cloud-managed wired foundation for high-performance business operations.
Meet the Instant On Switch Series 1840
The Instant On Switch Series 1840 gives small and medium-sized businesses a dependable, cost-effective Gigabit access layer designed for everyday operations. It is a strong fit for offices, retail stores, cafés, clinics, and other environments that need reliable wired connectivity, practical Power over Ethernet (PoE), and intuitive management.
With Layer 2 Gigabit switching, Class 4 PoE support on select models, dedicated uplink options, and built-in security capabilities, the 1840 switches help customers connect the devices that keep their business running. It is designed to support essential infrastructure such as wireless access points, phones, cameras, door locks, back-office workstations, and point-of-sale systems—while keeping deployment and ongoing management simple.
For businesses that want a right-sized switching solution with dependable uptime, strong value, and no ongoing licensing costs, the 1840 switches bring the simplicity and reliability that Instant On is known for.
Key use cases
Instant On Switch Series 1940
· High-performance wireless environments: Support next-generation access points and bandwidth-heavy applications with Multi-Gigabit connectivity, high-speed uplinks, and PoE options.
· Growing multi-device businesses: Help offices, clinics, schools, and hospitality locations connect more users, cameras, phones, and smart devices with stronger segmentation and traffic control.
Instant On Switch Series 1840
· Everyday business connectivity: Provide reliable 1G access for workstations, printers, access points, and point-of-sale systems in small offices, retail stores, and cafés.
· Simple PoE deployments: Power essential devices such as phones, cameras, door locks, and access points while keeping installation and management straightforward.
Explore the new HPE Networking Instant On Switch Series 1940 and 1840 to find the right fit for your business network.
Learn more: Instant On Switch Series 1940
Learn more: Instant On Switch Series 1840
Even more new with HPE Networking Instant On Cloud Portal 3.4.1
Instant On 1840 and 1940 switch-exclusive features
Quick PoE: Delivers power to connected PoE devices earlier in the switch boot process. Why it’s useful: Access points, IP phones, cameras, and door access systems can start coming back online sooner after an outage, helping reduce downtime.
Always On PoE: Helps keep supported PoE devices powered while the switch restarts or applies certain updates. Why it’s useful: Critical endpoints such as cameras, phones, access points, and badge readers can stay powered during planned maintenance.
Additional security for the Instant On 1840: RADIUS support, port security, and access-control lists (ACLs) are supported on the 1840 switches (previously unavailable on Switch Series 1830). RADIUS centralizes authentication, port security limits which devices can connect through a port, and ACLs define rules to permit or block traffic.
QoS configuration updates for all Instant On users
For all Instant On users, Cloud Portal 3.4.1 refines the Quality of Service (QoS) configuration experience, enabling administrators to more clearly prioritize business-critical traffic. Now administrators can set a network’s (SSID/VLAN) priority as needed instead of being confined to the Instant On Cloud Portal default values. For example, if your boutique hotel has a guest and employee network, by default the guest traffic is a “low” priority, but with the latest QoS changes, admins can set the value higher than employee, ensuring their guests have a better experience. For deployments with the Instant On Secure Gateways, network upload and download rates can be limited compared to setting a total bandwidth limitation.
WAN load-balancing adjustments for Secure Gateway deployments
For deployments that include HPE Networking Instant On Secure Gateways and multiple WAN connections, release 3.4.1 allows Admin Users to adjust WAN load-balancing behavior with a simple slider. For small businesses with dual ISPs, branch locations, or sites that need internet resiliency, these refinements support more balanced connectivity while preserving the simple cloud-managed experience that Instant On customers expect.
