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What Exactly Is Power Over Ethernet?
Have you ever wonder what exactly is power over ethernet? Well, probably the first place to start would be to explain what ethernet is.
Ethernet is a technology for networking computers for local area networks. There are a number of signaling and wiring standards defined in the ethernet networking model. If you have been on a computer network, chances are it has been an ethernet network that you used.
When we speak about power over ethernet it is pretty much as it sounds. It refers to transferring the power in electricity with data as well to other devices that are connected to the computer network. The power is carried through the cabling known as twisted pair.
This technology is known to be used in a number of different applications. IP telephones can be powered as well as access points in a wireless lan network system. Other devices such as cameras tied to the network, remote switches, and other pieces of equipment that need power but do not need an entire power supply and can run on the power provided by the enternet cable.
When powering devices, two modes of operation are available -- A and B. Without getting too technical, each mode is used for a slightly different use and application. Each mode is specifically designed to supply different forms of power.
In order to get the power to run in the power over ethernet set up, you need to have a source of power. This is where power sourcing equipment or PSE comes in. This is a device similar to a hub that provides power in a set up for power over ethernet. The maximum wattage that you can have in this set up is around 15.4 watts.
Any device that is to receive power for the network and the power sourcing equipment is known as a powered device. Usually the maximum power usage in one of these devices is around 12.95 watts. This should be enough to provide working power to a device designed for power over ethernet.
There are a number of different companies such as Cisco and 3Com that are using this technology and developing in it as well. There are also a number of DIY'er and homebrew enthusiasts that are working on their own in this area as well.
It is interested to see how technology has come and how we are now able to not only supply power to devices over a computer network, but we can still transfer data as well without interrupting either application or medium.
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