Advantages and Disadvantages of Power over Ethernet - Essay Example

This research will begin with the statement that in modern networking infrastructure, information technology and data center managers are seeking “green” alternatives for reducing the power consumed by Ethernet switch/router and server equipment”. This helps them create such products that are environmentally friendly and are cheap also. One such facility is power over Ethernet. The contemporary organizations can greatly benefit from the advantages of the integration of power over Ethernet in their designs of the network.

There are numerous benefits of power over Ethernet both from the standpoint of network efficiency and cost. Integrating power over Ethernet into the network designs eradicates the constraint of having the outlets of AC power. As a result of this, the flexibility of placing such network equipment enabled by power over Ethernet as VoIP phones, IP cameras, and the wireless access points in the locations of choice rather than the locations with power supply is increased. Using the power over Ethernet, organizations can place the networking devices optimally so that the efficiency of network designs can be enhanced and the performance of the application can be improved.

Using power over Ethernet, equipment can be easily placed on the ceilings, walls, as well as outdoors to improve the network performance. Use of power over Ethernet diminishes the electrical component from the projects of network installation. The requirement of coordinating the AC power outlet installation and compensating for it does not impact the schedules and budgets. This results in more convenient, quicker, and cost effective network installation. Easier Temporary Deployments When the network devices and switches are enabled by power over Ethernet, changes, moves, and network adds can be achieved faster.

“PoE allows devices that require power, called Powered Devices (PDs), such as IP telephones, wireless LAN Access Points, and network cameras to receive power in addition to data, over existing infrastructure without needing to upgrade it” (“How To” 2). The completion of network modifications or network upgrades no longer caused delays in the business. In addition to that, the flexibility of the network is increased and the network’s tendency to accommodate the modifications is enhanced.

Moreover, organizations can also easily deploy mobile structures like classrooms, offices, and tradeshows with power over Ethernet because the need to install more power for the support of the networking devices is eliminated. Centralization of Power ManagementUse of the power over Ethernet infrastructure provides the facility of centralized power management for the network devices that are critical for the mission. When the power outrage happens, such networking devices as the IP security cameras and the VoIP phones become dysfunctional in the absence of the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to protect them.

The organizations need to install several UPS systems to distribute the network equipment throughout the building. “A PoE solution only requires technicians to run one Ethernet cable to the access point for supplying both power and data” (Geier). The need to install numerous UPS systems is eradicated when the power over Ethernet is employed because the organization can have a single UPS that is centrally managed to provide the PSE equipment with the backup power. Thus, the critical networking devices do not become inoperable even in the incidents of power outrages (Pula).

In addition to that, centralized management of power enables the capabilities of remote reset or shutdown. DisadvantagesOnly Useful for Low-power ApplicationsOne disadvantage of power over Ethernet is that it is presently in its infancy stage and cannot support equipment that requires high power (Sawyer cited in Gittlen).