PoE Plus

Last installment of the blog we talked about Power over Ethernet technology. We discussed what it is, what is does, and how it works. Today, as promised, we will discuss the future of PoE technology, PoE +. PoE + is an improvement and more developed version of its predecessor, like the Playstation 3, Gen 3 iPhone, and Windows Vis…ehh Windows 7.

PoE currently is capable to deliver up to 12.95 watts to the powered device at a safe nominal 48 volts direct current over Cat5 cabling or higher. The IEEE recognized an opportunity to enhance the capabilities of PoE to deliver necessary power to devices that make sense to run on PoE but need more juice. PoE+ will deliver up to 29.5 watts to the powered device at a safe nominal 53 volts DC over Cat5e or higher rated cabling. But with PoE as with really any cabling you have done for a new install it should be Cat5e or higher.

PoE + will be a huge benefit to energy consumption and costs as well as helping move people into the next realm of technology easier and more efficiently. Here is a list of a few devices that will be able to be powered by PoE+:

• Laptop Computers and Thin Clients- Imagine the savings of one cable to the desktop, using your phone as a switch to connect your phone and computer back to the main server room. No more power bricks of any kind. Also using an IP phone and a virtualized desktop or cloud computing for true inter-enterprise ease of mobility.
• Security cameras with pan/tilt/zoom capabilities
• IP television
• Factory Automation
• WiMax transceivers providing wireless data over long distances
• Biometric sensors- With the ever constant development in security these types of sensors that were once a part only of Sci-fi movies are now becoming common place.
  

Now don’t rush out and expect to purchase devices that are PoE+ compatible. The technology is still in the development and testing stages however it is not as far off as one would believe. There are many parts of the equation that will have to work together for the release of the technology. The switch manufacturers need to make their devices send the power, the powered devices will need to make their equipment receive the power, and both will need to retro-fit existing equipment to accept the new technology. There has already been one issue that has been solved; sending so much power through the cabling was heating the cables to an unsafe level. Through their studies the IEEE has developed a standard to make sure the correct cables are used and installed properly for the specific devices being powered. As you are ready to move forward with the new technology make sure you are working with a BICSI certified installer and someone who understands the technology and what needs to be done. We would not want your cabling to burn down your business, but in the event it does…be proactive on how to recover. http://taylored.com/business-continuity

This was Michael Martin's latest conversation with Bill Taylor and Dean Reskevich.