* PowerDsine out with high-power PoE equipment ahead of standard
For those who can’t wait for a new and improved Power over Ethernet standard to make its way through the IEEE, PowerDsine is offering a product that brings more power to networks today.
The company last week introduced the 8001 High-power PoE (HighPoE) Midspan product. It’s a one-port device; it connects to an Ethernet switch or hub on one side for the Ethernet signal, then adds electrical power so that both power and signal can be delivered over one line.
The device is targeted at applications that might require more power than the 12.95 watts specified in the IEEE 802.3af standard for PoE. Such applications might include video phones, biometric access controls, RFID readers, higher-speed wireless access points and point-of-sale devices.
PowerDsine highlights pan-tilt-zoom networked cameras as a prime application. Apparently moving a surveillance camera around takes more than 20 watts of power, and PowerDsine says that makers of such cameras are already knocking on its door, asking what the company will do to support them.
PowerDsine already offers midspan products that support the current standard, as well as six-port and 12-port members of the 8000 HighPoE Midspan line. These deliver up to 39 watts of power on each port.
The IEEE has only just begun to examine the problem of increased PoE, having formed the Power over Ethernet Plus Study Group a few months ago. PowerDsine is active in the study group.
The 8001 HighPoE Midspan is expected to be generally available in July.
