Network demands have evolved due to requirements that include reliability, extended temperature,  a high level of performance, and timely indicators when faults occur on a network. Those indicators can be as simple as an LED extinguishing on an unmanaged switch, to a Trap notification from a managed switch. As a five port switch, the ESWP205-1SFP-T offers a fiber SFP port, supporting any type of 100Mbps fiber, for Single Mode, Multi Mode and Single Strand Fiber. The switch will support any MSA-compliant SFP.  The four 10/100Mbps copper ports allow Ethernet connectivity as well as PoE+ injection. LEDs support link status for the copper and SFP port as well as power and PoE+ status. The ESWGP206-2SFP-T offers the same number of copper ports, but in the speed of 10/100/1000Mbps and  an additional SFP port.

 

A new element facing network admins is the use or availability of a power source. Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a hardware feature available on the product line of switches that can inject power into a PD (Power Draw) device.  Each port is capable of not only offering Ethernet connectivity, but also PoE+ injection.  PoE+ offers up to 30W of power per port, and does not interfere with the data path on the port. An 802.3at standard, it allows the end user to connect a PD device, such as a PTZ camera, to power it over the copper cabling when an available power outlet is not available. The advantage of PoE+ is that if a PD device requires less power, say 15.4W, the PoE+ port will only provide the power necessary; over-current and PD damage is not a consideration. Using a PoE+ port to provide simple Ethernet connectivity is still an option as well.