Industrial PoE switch features 'unique' dual power sourcing

The cost savings and reliability improvements associated with not having to install and maintain power wiring in addition to Ethernet cabling - especially in remote locations - provide the incentive for many industrial, utility and infrastructure/buildings contractors to immediately evaluate this technology.

Korenix, a manufacturer of Ethernet connectivity devices based in Taiwan, has just launched a new range of innovative, reliable, cost-effective PoE devices, available through UK distributor M.A.C Solutions UK.

The JetNet 4706 is an industrial managed, dual-mode PoE power sourcing switch. The device is a six-port Fast Ethernet Industrial Managed Switch, with four 10/100TX ports (PoE injectors) and two 10/100TX uplink ports and 'unique dual-mode 24V and 48V DC power source capability', according to MAC Solutions.

standard and non-standard power sources

The JetNet 4706 complies with IEEE 802.3af and the pre-standard for PoE High Power, IEEE 802.3at. This PoE standard can now provide up to 30W PoE high power. But what is claimed to make the device unique is that it caters for both standard and non-standard power source systems. It is equipped with a dual-mode PoE power mechanism, for 24V or 48V DC, which means the device can detect different input power voltages, enabling it to automatically perform power device detection, classification, powering and disconnection processes.

Also, because of its dual mode capability, the JetNet 4706 is suitable for applications where there is no access to a 48V DC power source. This means adoption is likely to be very high in the transportation (vehicle, aviation and other public transport) sectors where access to a 24V DC power supply is standard.

Power over Ethernet benefits

The PoE standard, which was introduced in June 2003, enables users to power devices over Ethernet cabling. It was originally developed to provide power as well as networking capability in areas where the cost of providing - or the physical impossibility of deploying - electrical wiring limited its deployment potential. As such, PoE has contributed to growth in the VoIP and wireless market because it simplifies the RF survey task: access points can be easily moved because the requirement of locally accessible AC power is removed.

Although it took almost a decade for Enterprise-based Ethernet technologies to be adapted for use in industrial applications, PoE, because of its tremendous technical and business advantages, is taking considerably less time.

With the introduction of PoE, industrial Ethernet suppliers - and end users - have a beneficial new technology for heavy-duty environments such as utility substations, transportation systems - including airports, buses and trains - factory facilities and warehouses, mines and quarries, infrastructure and building management systems, and access and security control applications.

In large industrial plants, where configurations change on a frequent basis, the ability to decouple expensive electrical rewiring from the placement of PDs is highly advantageous. In an environment where budgets are tight and demand for increased productivity is constant, the simplicity of PoE makes it a strong candidate for high acceptance in system upgrades. With both PoE-enabled industrial switches and PDs coming onto the market, M.A.C Solutions predicts rapid adoption, as both vendors and industrial users recognise the cost and reliability benefits, as well as the inherent installation convenience.

Tim Ricketts, General Manager at M.A.C Solutions, comments: "Korenix has developed a world-class series of products. With the introduction of the JetNet 4706, Korenix has yet again demonstrated the ability to develop a truly innovative world-first product, which consequently won a much-coveted 'Computex Taipei 2007' product award in Taiwan recently."

Robust and reliable

Designed in a one-piece rugged IP31 aluminium housing for harsh industrial and transportation/infrastructure applications, the JetNet 4706 is also compact, lightweight, corrosion-proof and heat resistant, with operating temperatures from -10 to 70degC and 10 to 90 per cent humidity. Terminal block and ventilation holes on the bottom of the device reduce damage due to ingress of dust and moisture.

The JetNet 4706 also supports a comprehensive range of interfaces, including SNMP v1/v2/v3, RMON, Web Interface, Telnet, Cisco-like CLI via RS232 console.

The additional two 100Mbps fibre-optic ports on the device enable users to extend network infrastructure using Korenix's patented Rapid Super Ring (RSR) functionality, for connection as a redundant Ethernet ring architecture. The RSR technology provides network redundancy with less than 30ms recovery time when the main path is disconnected. To integrate with higher-level switches, the JetNet 4706 uses Dual Homing II functionality, which merges RSR and RSTP (Korenix's Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol) in a single redundant port.

Reduced energy costs

Users can save power using the JetNet 4706's PD powering control functionality. The device operates similar to UPS (uninterruptible power supply), scheduling control for PoE power delivery. There is user-friendly scheduling control that operates on an hourly basis. Each port on the device can be configured with different rules, helping to save power and meet the user's economic resource management requirements.

Follow the link for more information about the JetNet 4706 PoE switch.