Phihong's New Switch Extends Power-over-Ethernet Extends 200 Meters

When IP-based phone systems appeared, they were initially named “one wire wonders” because organizations could now use a “converged” single network instead of maintaining two separate networks for data and voice. IP telephones (and other devices) can plug directly into the Ethernet network and interact with a media gateway controller (MGCP) for call control over the LAN.

 

The problem with this idea comes when a power outage occurs, rendering the phones useless. This spurred the legacy PBX (News - Alert) vendors to claim that the IP PBX vendors were cutting corners with their less expensive systems. This in turn led to the myth that data networks need to be upgraded so that low voltage devices such as wireless hubs and IP telephones could be powered through the LAN. LANs kept expanding into places not served by power, and so this led to the development of Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) or "Active Ethernet" which sends DC power along with LAN signals over Ethernet cabling (or at least many of them can - check before purchasing). PoE saves users money primarily because it allows them to easily run power to locations that would otherwise require extensive wiring and high labor costs. In fact, IEEE (News - Alert) 802.3af standard now defines two ways to power to IP phones and other devices:

 

1) End Span – replace Ethernet switches with new devices that use DC current over the pairs used for data 1/2 and 3/6 (on the RJ-45 jacks), often done in new buildings or as part of a major network upgrade, as it involves investing in new Ethernet switches. 

 

2) Mid Span – A device inserts power onto the unused 4/5 and 7/8 pairs on the RJ-45 jacks and Ethernet cable. This device has two ports and sits between the Ethernet switch and the device it is powering. It has the advantage of less expensive that upgrading the Ethernet infrastructure.

 

In both cases you can plug a non-compliant device into the RJ-45 jack, since the power on those pins won’t harm the device. In fact a splitter, which separates data and power coming over an Ethernet cable, can be used for a network device (such as a video product) that doesn’t have built-in support for PoE.

 

Once you and your business have relocated to your new location you'll find that many Access Points (APs) can support PoE . Doing this eliminates the need to add AC outlets and power supplies near APs, so you can now provide networking in hard-to-wire facilities, such as Historic buildings and structures sealed because of asbestos.

 

Now, Phihong (News - Alert), a major player in Power-over-Ethernet solutions, has developed a Power-over-Ethernet switch that extends PoE and Ethernet up to 200 meters and can power four IP cameras from a single Cat5 cable. Designated the POE60S-4AF, the 10/100basteT switch extends the capability of Ethernet and PoE from a current limit 100-meter reach to double the distance, and with the power to run four security cameras from a single Cat5 cable.

 

This new PoE switch further eases implementation and increases the power delivered by extending the Ethernet further distances and by powering multiple devices from a single cable. The PoE switch can operate under temperatures from 0 degrees to 55 degrees C. It works with either an Ultra PoE midspan (providing IEEE802.3af outputs) or an AC adapter, and is UNH-tested.

 

For more information contact Phihong at [email protected].