Do you know how to build an optimized PoE solution with midspans?
Power over Ethernet (PoE) transports both data and power to equipment on a single Ethernet cable. PoE is typically used for VoIP, wireless access points, security and surveillance, data capture, data display and LED lighting. Ports deliver up to 15W per port in the (older) IEEE803.2af standard. Or, in the newer standard up to 30W per port, based on PoE+ (803.2at).
POE midspans are devices for injecting Power Over Ethernet (POE) power onto a network data cable. They are located somewhere along the data network cable.
Let’s look at tricks to build an optimal PoE solution using midspans:
1. Use PoE+ with your existing Best-of-Class Switch
You just bought a new switch last year? You would like to use PoE+, but your switch only supports PoE?
Instead of buying a new switch ($$$) and thus disrupting your network possibly for days ($$$$$), simply add a midspan. This is a much more cost-effective way of introducing newer PoE+ capabilities, or higher power into your network. And installing a midspan is minimally disruptive to network functionality. You save money not only on equipment but also on disruption of service.
Midspan technology provides full-power on every port and is a more cost-effective solution.
2. Make your Network Ready for the Future
Midspans deliver the necessary power for the current generation of remote equipment. When you install a standards-compliant PoE midspan, you also ensure that future equipment can be powered by it. Midspans can be upgraded separately from your switches, allowing for more flexibility in the future.
3. Operate Despite Power Outages
Security cameras and other equipment powered by PoE is often critical equipment. You don’t want the equipment to go down because of a power outage. When you use a UPS for the PoE Midspan, your powered device operates during a power failure, with zero interruption of service.
4. Have a Highly Flexible WiFi installation
The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend means that the number of smartphones and laptops in an office is growing and changing. WiFi standards evolve to higher data throughput.
Providing enough wireless access points at the right places can be challenging under these conditions.
Take advantage of PoE, and use midspan technology to enable more flexible WiFi access point positioning. Your infrastructure will be scalable and power can be managed network-wide.
5. Deploy PoE on the Ports Where You Need It
By decoupling the power and data infrastructures, midspans optimize network deployment and flexibility. Network powering capabilities can be upgraded independent of data requirements, and vice versa. When it is necessary to replace a switch, this can be done without having to pay for both data and power again.
Organizations can deploy PoE in increments of 1, 4, 6, 12 or 24, when needed. This contrasts with a new switch installation, for which best practices prescribe PoE deployment on as many ports as possible to support future growth.
However if you are using integrated PoE on a 24 port networking blade and many of the ports are supporting non powered devices, it might be more prudent to use a Midspan and only connect powered ports to the devices that need it. This will lower the overall cost of the installation.
Lin Haw carries Microsemi’s PowerDsine PoE Solutions
Microsemi’s engineers are thoughtleaders in PoE: they invented the methods for sending power over Ethernet cables. Their line of industry-leading midspan power injectors are compliant to IEEE802.3af, 802.3at and HDBaseT standards.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions about Microsemi products, we are happy to discuss how to build the best network for your needs.
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