Ethernet Gets Juiced

Today's networks have an Achilles heel, but it's not the one you think it is. It's not security. It's not management. And it's not availability or reliability.

It's something much simpler and much more mundane--the stuff of lightbulbs and toasters--electric power.

Routers, hubs, switches, access points, and other kinds of network devices and appliances all require electric power, which means having an AC outlet nearby, one with enough juice to power a lot of power-hungry devices.

In yesterday's network, this was not a significant problem. Networks were built in traditional offices, wiring closets were near power outlets, and all was right in the world. But in today's network, and especially in tomorrow's, that's no longer the case. Wireless access points need to be placed in locations not necessarily near power outlets. Scads of new IP devices are moving to the desktop, including IP telephones, and there simply aren't enough outlets to plug them all into. So, enterprises face sinking massive amounts of money into electrical system upgrades.

Enter Power over Ethernet (PoE). In PoE, a single Ethernet cable provides both network access and electricity. No longer is there a need to string two different cables to a device--one for power, and one for network access. Now a single cable provides both. So you can have a wiring closet with PoE-enabled switches, and you can run PoE cables from that closet to devices far and wide. Problem solved.How important is PoE? Important enough that Cisco, which recently revamped its Catalyst switch line, put PoE front and center. Cisco believes that ultimately, PoE will become a must-have throughout the entire network. "We're driving PoE end-to-end in the network," said John McCool, Cisco Vice President and General Manager for Gigabit Switching Units. The company has released gigabit-speed, PoE devices because, in his words, "We found that it had become difficult for people to choose between PoE and gigabit speeds, this way we let them choose both in one unit and help future-proof their networks."

The key here, say Cisco and others, is that intelligent devices are increasingly being deployed at the network edge, and PoE is the easiest and least-expensive way to bring power to those devices. Extreme Networks, for example, recently released a PoE switch designed to ease the deployment of Internet protocol phones, wireless access points, and other edge devices. Described by Extreme as a "universal Ethernet jack," the new Summit 300-24 features 24 10/100 Ethernet ports, two Gigabit ports, and two mini-GBIC ports, delivering two active gigabit uplinks, all supporting Quality-of-Service and Open-Shortest-Path-First routing.

And it's not only big enterprises that are flocking to PoE. Netgear recently released a PoE solution for small businesses designed to ease installation of WLANs by allowing wireless access points to be installed anywhere, even in locations unreachable by power outlets.

As with most things having to do with technology, PoE is based on a standard, in this case IEEE PoE 802.3af. But because of the growing importance of PoE, a new group, the IEEE 802.3 Study Group, is considering modifications to the standard, including the delivery of higher levels of power.

Expect a new standard to be ratified at some point. And expect that at one day you'll be using PoE. For networks with increasing intelligence at their edges, it's the simplest and least-expensive route to deployment. Cisco Retools Catalyst Switch Line - Networking Pipeline
Twenty new switches bring 10-gigabit speeds, greater security, and PoE to the network edge.

Netgear Releases PoE-Powered WLAN For SMBs - Networking Pipeline
New switch and access point let wireless nets be installed in places where AC power is hard to reach.

Extreme Networks Debuts Power over Ethernet Switch For Edge Devices Networking Pipeline
Switch will ease deployment of Internet protocol phones, wireless access points, and other edge devices.

IEEE Forms High-Power PoE Group - Networking Pipeline
The Institute of Electrical Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has formed a new 802.3 Study Group to discuss the enhancement of the IEEE PoE 802.3af standard.

DEEP BACKGROUND Building a Gold-Standard Network - Networking Pipeline
How can you build a gold-standard network? We examine standards like 802.3af for PoE, 802.1X, 802.1w and 802.3ad standards, while examining both sides of the best-of-breed vs. single vendor debate.

Vendors Unveil Smarter Access Points - Networking Pipeline
Three vendors unveiled new access points (AP) technology that they claim will increase the intelligence, security and manageability of wireless LANs.

Survey: Customers Rate Cisco As Top Switch Vendor - Networking Pipeline
Infonetics Research also finds that cost tops list of why customers might change from their existing switch vendors.