Despite decades of innovation, hardware, such as cables, routers, and switches, still forms the basis of networking infrastructure. As network environments adapt to evolving technologies with higher power demands, like artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR), and machine learning (ML), the need for more robust hardware solutions continues to grow.
Power over Ethernet (PoE) offers system connectivity with numerous benefits, especially for commercial offices, public buildings, academic institutions, transportation hubs, and AV studios. With both unmanaged and managed switching options available, PoE provides a cost-effective way to operate a network, even in remote locations.
What is PoE?
PoE technology provides both power and data over a single Ethernet cable. This capability eliminates additional external power sources and extensive wiring installation, especially in hard-to-reach places.
PoE provides many benefits, including:
- Lower installation costs.
- Enhanced safety.
- Increased reliability.
- Improved network uptimes.
- Flexibility to remove, add, relocate, and reconfigure network devices without an electrician.
- Easier scaling of the network.
- Centralized power management.
When paired with an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), PoE provides continuous network operation even when electricity is disrupted.
What is a PoE unmanaged switch?
Unmanaged PoE switches are ‘plug-and-play’ devices and require no configuration. You simply connect your devices to the switch and they’ll receive PoE power and connectivity. An unmanaged switch provides basic connectivity to PoE-compatible devices and is well-suited for:
- IP cameras.
- Wireless access points.
- VoIP phones.
Less expensive than managed switches, unmanaged PoE switches are ideal for small networks and situations where simple connectivity is sufficient. However, unmanaged switches do not offer the more advanced feature sets of managed switches.
The Benefits of PoE Managed Switch Technology
Regarding traffic control, PoE unmanaged and managed switches provide the same core power and data connectivity via Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6A Ethernet cables. However, managed switches are much more sophisticated than unmanaged PoE switches and can be configured to control various aspects of a network.
Key capabilities that only PoE managed switches can provide include:
- Power budgeting: PoE power can be allocated to specific ports.
- Remote PoE control: Devices can be controlled or reset remotely.
- PoE scheduling: PoE power can be turned on or off at specific times.
- Network Monitoring: Network performance can be monitored remotely to troubleshoot problems and identify bottlenecks.
- Network Segmentation (VLANs): The network can be divided into logical segments to improve performance and security.
- Quality of Service (QoS): Prioritizes certain types of network traffic to ensure that critical applications receive sufficient bandwidth.
PoE managed switches are essential for large, complex networks where network management is crucial. They make lean operations much more efficient and secure.
Support for Emerging Network Trends
Managed switches offer enhanced features for improved network management and can support emergent technologies.
Software-Defined Wide-Area Networking (SD-WAN) Deployment
SD-WAN technology uses software to manage and optimize network connections over wide area networks (WANs). It allows businesses to use a combination of different network connections to route traffic based on application needs. The web interface provided by PoE managed switches offers access to tools to identify and correct network problems before they disrupt operations.
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)
Managed switches allow IP security systems to operate with connected PoE-enabled cameras. When power consistency is not a concern, camera placement can be the priority. Auto-discovery features provide centralized monitoring and diagnostic tools for remote device management.
Micro-Segmentation
Cybersecurity experts recommend dividing a network into micro-segments. Segmenting a network into smaller networks prevents cybercriminals from accessing the entire network simultaneously. This protects individual workloads and devices through traffic and access controls, making it difficult for attackers to move laterally.
Multi-Cloud Architecture
To avoid vendor lock-in, organizations have shifted away from single cloud vendors. This allows commercial customers the flexibility to move between cloud providers as their needs or vendors change. PoE-managed switches can be part of an SD-WAN implementation to connect multiple clouds. This feature makes them an essential network component that incorporates the latest trends.
The AVS-4210-24HP4X 8-Port 10/100/1000T 802.3bt PoE + 16-Port 10/100/1000T 802.3at PoE+ 4-Port 10G SFP+ Managed AV Switch from Planet Technology
Specifically designed for the rapidly evolving needs of the AV industry, the AVS-4210-24HP4X managed PoE switch features 24 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ45 ports and 4 10G SFP slots for higher uplink bandwidth. This Layer 2/4 Gigabit PoE+/PoE++ switch has 8 802.3bt PoE++ ports and 16 802.3at/af PoE+ ports. It has a power budget of 450W max and an operating temperature of 0 to 50ºC.
Additional features include:
- Configurable fanless mode with 200W power budget.
- Supports ERPS ring.
- CloudViewer Pro app.
- MQTT.
- IGMP and MLD Snooping.
- PD Alive Check.
- Link Aggregation technology.
- 95W maximum power output (ports 1 to 8).
- 35W maximum power output (ports 9 to 24).
- Spanning Tree Protocol.
- IPv4/IPv6 IP-based ACL/MAC-based ACL.
- IPv4/IPv6 IP-based ACE/MAC-based ACE.
- RADIUS/TACACS+ user access authentication.
- SSHv2, TLSv1.2, and SNMPv3 secure management interfaces.
- 15.1W/51.5 BTU maximum power consumption (system on).
- TAA Compliant.
- Rack Mount Installation.
The AVS-4210-24HP4X PoE managed switch is a robust powerhouse capable of efficiently supplying power to various devices, including cameras, displays, and speakers in Pro AV applications. The RJ45 ports and display panel are positioned to enhance both cable management and aesthetic appeal. It features a simplified, intuitive web interface that facilitates effortless adjustments to basic settings and enables rapid AV-over-IP system deployment. The switch can intelligently manage bandwidth and optimize network performance, ensuring high-quality, uninterrupted AV experiences.
Enabling effortless plug-and-play functionality, the AVS-4210-24HP4XPoE Pro AV managed switch seamlessly integrates key Audio/Video IP Networking protocols like DANTE and NDI. Link Aggregation technology with 10G SFP+ connectivity provides a streamlined experience for video streaming and transferring large video files across multiple switches in studio, auditorium, or theater setups.
For this or other PoE managed switch solutions, contact Planet Technology today.
