Small and home-based business networks are expanding by adding power over Ethernet IP-connected devices such as Voice-over-IP (VoIP) phones, IP cameras for surveillance, Wi-Fi access points and many other applications. To provide businesses and home offices with even more control and security, together with easy management over their expanding networks, an all-in-one solution which also provides power for these IP-based applications is crucial.
“To address this need for an affordable all-in-one solution, NETGEAR has introduced four new Plus switches with PoE+ power and essential management capabilities. Providing businesses and home office workers with uninterrupted PoE and PoE+ capabilities with advanced per port controls, GS308EP, GS305EP, GS305EPP and GS308EPP include simple management features like VLANs, QoS, port mirroring, and uninterruptable PoE to help optimise the performance and troubleshooting of business networks,” says Tobie van Schalkwyk, product manager for NETGEAR switch solutions at Duxbury Networking.
Available at a minimal added cost over that of unmanaged switches, while offering the benefits of essential advanced network management, the Plus switches feature a new, modern, and intuitive business and consumer-friendly Graphical User Interface that is both browser and mobile friendly in three languages.
“As businesses further develop their networks to provide IP-based solutions, they have a need for easy-to-use network management capabilities in a secure environment,” says Van Schalkwyk. “These new PoE+ switches deliver on this capability, with the power to host IoT devices and wireless access points along with an intuitive graphical user interface for management, while providing a secure environment with separated network segments over VLANs, all in a budget-friendly package.”
With auto-sensing 10/100/1000 Mbps non-blocking gigabit Ethernet ports with a total bandwidth of 10 Gbps (5-port) and 16 Gbps (8-port), these new Plus switches provide power budgets up to 123 W for powerful PoE+ deployments and easy configuration of advanced features for the network. The new Plus switches deliver 4 or 8 PoE+ ports with 62 to 123 W (model dependent) to provide power and network connectivity to PoE+ devices.
Along with PoE+ capabilities, the new Plus switches include management features such as advanced per port PoE controls to simplify management of connected devices and uninterrupted power to keep devices connected and active even during firmware or software updates. Work from home offices and businesses can rest assured that the PoE power to their IP security cameras, VoIP phones and wireless access points is always on with this feature.
These new NETGEAR Plus switches also include the following power saving features:
Energy efficient Ethernet (IEEE 802.3az) for maximum power savings — Latest energy-saving abilities including per-port power management to reduce port power when the port link is down, or idle
Fanless, with versatile mounting options – Completely silent operation in a desktop small form factor that is also wall-mountable
Advanced per port PoE controls – Power management of the PoE connected devices by enabling and disabling PoE power per port, PoE prioritisation, PoE power limit per port and more. Simplifies management of wireless APs, IP security cameras, LED lighting, secure access door locks and IoT devices
Uninterrupted PoE – Keep PoE power on to connected devices even when the switch is updating firmware or performing a soft reboot.
To safeguard the security of the network, the VLANs can be configured separately for each sub-network. For example, one can set up a VLAN for guests, one for admin and a separate one for IoT devices. The Plus switches also include the following added security and reliability features:
Port mirroring – For network diagnostics and troubleshooting
Comprehensive QoS – Advanced controls for optimised network performance and better delivery of mission-critical traffic such as voice and video
IGMP Snooping – Improved network efficiency on delivering multicast traffic. Save costs and improve network efficiency by ensuring multicast traffic only reaches designated receivers without the need for an extra multicast router
VLANs – Port-based and 802.1Q-based network separation into smaller groups for more secure and efficient use of network resources
Loop detection and auto DoS prevention – Detect accidental network loops and protect against DoS attacks
Cable test – Easily identify the health status of Ethernet cables to quickly resolve connectivity issues.