Empowering the network

The corporate network continues to evolve. Around four years ago, I predicted the demise of the common 220-volt wall socket, stressing that networks of the future would be powered by low-voltage current supplied via the common RJ45 network interface, eliminating the need to run separate - and expensive - power cables.

I said: "In tomorrow's office or workplace, a simple RJ45 cable and USB [universal serial bus] socket will be all that's needed to provide power to any number of converged electronic devices and systems. This permits low-voltage electrical power to pass safely - along with voice, video and data - through the network infrastructure on Ethernet cabling."

The innovative technology had the power, I said at the time, to provide a new, more cost-effective method for powering network devices.

The prediction has come true, but not before a number of industry players tried a variety of approaches to superimpose data on relatively low-quality power lines. Many of these experiments were plagued by poor signal quality and signal distribution issues that limited data bandwidth as well as the distance of power-line communications.

Nevertheless, the technology, which early marketers christened 'energy-efficient Ethernet', has prevailed, and is today hailed as the first truly international power distribution standard, eliminating the need for manufacturers to develop separate products for different power standards around the world.

As a result, more network components are now equipped with USB ports to accommodate the latest power over Ethernet plus (POE+) standard conforming to the IEEE 802.3az benchmark.

Unquestionably, there are significant benefits associated with this technology, together with numerous applications - ranging from powering wireless access points, WiFi switches and IP phones, to laptop PCs, scanners, printers, RFID readers, network security cameras and other devices.

Many of these devices were once considered to be network peripherals, but are now seen as key network assets. As more devices are added to the network and as the network consolidates, so the POE option becomes more attractive and financially appealing to end-users.

Central to the building of tomorrow's automation control systems, POE technology is already driving the production of more energy-efficient IT equipment capable of taking advantage of the intelligent management advances encouraged by the ratification of the IEEE 802.3az standard. This is the first standard in the history of Ethernet to address proactive reduction in energy consumption for networked devices.

Thanks to the giant strides taken in software development, network switches and an increasing number of other devices are now capable of intelligently detecting when they are idle and shutting off power or activating 'sleep' or 'eco' modes as demanded by operational requirements.

Against the backdrop of SA's power crisis, consumption concerns and steeply climbing electricity prices, the ramifications of this level of efficiency are significant. Network management systems capable of achieving enterprise-wide power savings of 75% or more are being openly discussed. It's a goal that many believe is attainable, especially if these systems are linked to solar PV and other renewable energy sources, and seamlessly integrated into the network's power grid.

Four year ago, I predicted that powered Ethernet would place increasing emphasis on the role of the network designer. I said it would refine the focus on network configuration and management.

Many of these devices were once considered to be network peripherals, but are now seen as key network assets.

In reality, today's network designers are taking many of the advances and innovations first proved in the world of consumer electronics for inclusion in the enterprise network infrastructure.

For example, the standardisation that has occurred between smartphones, iPods, PDAs and cameras - which are now generally powered via the common USB port - has opened the way for the next generation of network devices to be so designed while incorporating the latest advances in semiconductor technology.

Looking ahead, POE is increasingly seen as a viable option for commercial and industrial applications beyond the confines of the corporate network. It has significant potential for simplifying distributed system administration, while increasing performance and managing costs.

For outdoor applications that make heavy use of ruggedised, power-consuming devices, POE technology can be leveraged. For instance, in the video surveillance arena, POE-powered cameras can now be deployed where conditions are demanding enough to negate a 220v power supply.

As is often the case, market requirements move faster than standards can be created. Today, a new generation of even more powerful POE-enabled devices, requiring power beyond the current limit (25.5 watts) set by the appropriate industry standard, are available. These are increasingly targeted at innovative, often groundbreaking applications in healthcare, retail point-of-sale, banking/financial and building management.