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Understanding Ports of Gigabit PoE Switch

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Since the introduce of Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology, PoE LAN switch has become popular among wide users. However, newbies are usually confused with the multiple port configuration on gigabit PoE switch. Since there are already regular PoE Ethernet ports for powered devices (PDs), what are the function of other ports like console port, SFP/SFP+ port and combo port on gigabit PoE switch? This article will take 8 port PoE switch, 24 port PoE switch and 48 port PoE switch as example to illustrate multiple port for your reference.

Console Port on Gigabit PoE Switch

Like regular Ethernet switch, gigabit PoE switch often has one built-in serial console port, say FS S1130-8T2F 8 port PoE switch. It is the port for controlling and managing switch since there are no display device for a switch. Usually console port on gigabit PoE switch is an RJ45 receptacle. To connect a computer directly to the 8 port PoE switch, one should use dedicated rollover cable rather than Ethernet cable for connection.To use console port, you need physical access to the appliance. Therefore for terminals without serial console port, one should attach a corresponding adapter to the devices before cabling.

console port of 8 port gigabit PoE switch

Figure 1: A display of one console port on FS S1130-8T2F 8 port PoE switch for control.

RJ45 Port vs SFP Port on Gigabit PoE Switch

RJ45 port on gigabit PoE switch is the regular PoE port to achieve data and DC power transmission for PDs. It is an auto-sensing 10/100/1000Mb copper port supporting only Ethernet cable (Cat5e/6/6a/7) for connection. Thus RJ45 port connection is limited to 1G speed and 100m (330ft) short distance transmission. Then how about longer distance transmission scenario?

Different from RJ45 port, SFP port on gigabit PoE switch has the opt of both short and long reach. Why? The mini GBIC port has inherited the compatibility of either copper or optical SFP connection. Provided you employ the corresponding SFP module and cable on power over Ethernet switch. For long distance transmission, you should use fiber SFP modules with fiber patch cable for optical link. For short distance, you can opt to use RJ45 SFP module with copper network cable on gigabit PoE RJ45 switch for electrical link. Gigabit PoE switch often provides 2 SFP port for optical connection or uplink aggregation requirement, which enhances network adaption resiliency of PoE powered switch. For instance, S1400-24T4F 24 port PoE switch has 2 SFP ports reserved, which caters for fiber uplink to upper layer switch.

RJ45 Port vs SFP Port on Gigabit PoE Switch

Figure 2: A display of RJ45 ports vs SFP ports on FS gigabit PoE switch.

SFP+ Port on Gigabit PoE Switch

To illustrate SFP+ port on PoE Ethernet switch, we’ll take S1600-48T4S 48 port PoE switch as example. This 48 port PoE gigabit switch comes with 1 console port, 48 PoE+ RJ45 ports and 4 SFP+ ports. The 48 RJ45 ports are PoE ready to power on dozens of VoIP phones, IP cameras and wireless APs. The 4 SFP+ ports on gigabit PoE switch serves as uplink to connect 10G SFP switch for uplink aggregation.

S1600-48T4S 48 port gigabit PoE switch SFP+ port application

Figure 3: Deploying S1600-48T4S 48 port PoE switch as gigabit access switch to link 10G SFP switch via SFP+ ports, and connect PDs.

Combo Port on Gigabit PoE Switch

Though manufactures often clearly label combo ports on gigabit PoE switch for identification, many people don’t know its function. Take S1400-24T4F 24 port PoE switch as example, 2 combo ports are reserved on this 24 port PoE managed switch. The combo port compounds RJ45 and SFP front ends in one single interface, thus it supports either copper or optical SFP link. However, you cannot use these two physical accesses on PoE network switch simultaneously. That is, once you activate combo SFP port on gigabit PoE switch, you also disable the opposite copper port.

S1400-24T4F 24 port gigabit PoE switch combo port

Figure 4: A demonstration of combo ports on gigabit PoE switch: S1400-24T4F 24 port PoE switch from FS.COM.

Conclusion

To sum up, multiple ports on gigabit PoE switch owns different functionality, which enhances switching resiliency for different network cabling. RJ45 port on PoE powered switch is an normal one for copper link to PDs. SFP port of gigabit PoE switch provides options of fiber cabling or copper cabling due to fiber SFP module and RJ45 SFP module compatibility. 10G SFP+ port on 48 port PoE switch serves as uplink port for link aggregation in network layer. Combo port compounds RJ45 and SFP interface in one single fabric on gigabit PoE switch. So it helps to extend flexibility of physical access through the network. For 8/24/48 port cheap PoE switch buying, you can find decent offer here with optimal port configuration.

Gigabit PoE Switch vs. Normal Switch — Find the Right Switch for You

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The telecommunication industry has always been developing with leaps and bounds and technology changes with each passing day. For people with little network knowledge, the evolving optional network devices like PoE switches can be a big puzzle. What is PoE? What is the difference between a PoE switch and a regular network switch? This article explains their differences and how to find the right switch for you.

What is Power over Ethernet (PoE)?

PoE, short for Power over Ethernet, is a technology that enables Ethernet cable to supply power. Thus power sourcing equipment (PSE) can transmit both data and power to powered devices (PD) simultaneously via one single cable. PoE has two standards available on network switch: IEEE 802.3af/at. The former original PoE standard, defined in 2003, provides a 15.4 W power budget to PDs (12.95 W available for accessing). The latter PoE+/PoE Plus standard defined in 2009 provides up to 30 W (25.5 W) power.

What is a PoE Switch?

PoE switch is one of the two types of PSE for PoE implementation: endspan switch and midspan PoE injector. To enhance network resiliency, gigabit PoE switches provided by FS.com are highly compatible IEEE 802.3af/at managed PoE+ switches.

” Also check – Unlocking the Secrets of PoE Switches – A Complete Guide

For example, FS S3150-8T2FP, an 8-Port Managed PoE+ switch, is equipped with 8x 10/100/1000BASE-T ports, 2x 1Gb SFP uplinks, 8x RJ45 ports support both IEEE 802.3af PoE and IEEE 802.3at PoE+ (up to 30W per port) for powering attached IP phones, wireless access points, or other standards-compliant PoE and PoE+ end network devices. 2x SFP uplink ports are provided to support connections to higher layer devices.

” Also check – FS PoE Switches

PoE Switch vs. Normal Switch: What’s the Difference?

In a word, the major difference between a PoE switch and a normal switch is PoE accessibility. A regular Ethernet switch is not PoE enabled to supply power for end users over Ethernet. Therefore the user needs one extra cable to connect power outlets.

” Also check – PoE Switch vs PoE Injector: Why Choose PoE Switch to Build Wireless Networks?

However a normal switch can also become PoE ready by employing a midspan injector between the switch and PDs. The injector will add electrical power while receiving data signal from Ethernet switch end cable, and then deliver both data and power to PDs. But in this circumstance the injector also needs a wire for power.

When using Gigabit PoE switch, only one power cable is required. Then the PDs can be directly plugged into the PoE gigabit switch port for both data transmission and power supply. The illustration and table below list the differences between deploying PoE switch and normal switch while adding PoE to networks.

 PoE SwitchNormal Switch
Required AccessoriesEasy for management (power and transmission)Require separate two wires for powering on normal switch and PoE injector
PoE Access MethodUpgrade to PoE network by replacing the normal Ethernet switch with PoE Ethernet switchInstall PoE injector between switch and PDs to add PoE capability to the existing non-PoE switch
Emergency ReactionPotential chance of the whole system’s outageOnly one device be affected

Advantages of PoE Switches

As mentioned above, PoE switch supplies power to PDs in the meantime of data delivery. Though the normal switch system can also acquire PoE by installing an injector, PoE endspan has the superiority of direct Power over Ethernet ability. Thus, Gigabit PoE switch owns edges over normal switch.

First, it enables PDs like IP surveillance cameras to be placed almost anywhere: on the ceiling, concealed in a wall, or even underwater while only one cable is needed to run to them. Second, it saves extra expanse and time for power cabling and injector installation. Third, with simplified cabling of all PDs directly connected to gigabit PoE switch, the data center is easy for management and control.

Besides, PoE gigabit switch itself is designed with advanced features like high-performance hardware with software, auto-sensing PoE compatibility, strong network security, and environmental adaptability.

Find the Right Switch For You

Gigabit PoE switches can supply power to PDs in the meantime of data transmission via one single Ethernet cable while normal switches can only send data to them. For PoE implementation, normal switches need a power-on auxiliary injector as midspan between a switch and powered devices.

Thus, PoE switches have the advantage of direct PoE connection, easy and flexible placement, cost-efficiency, simplified management, etc. For any applications of IP surveillance cameras, VoIP phones, and wireless APs, PoE switch can be the right choice you’re looking for.