24-Port Managed PoE Switch: A Must-have for Your Network

The demand for network performance is expanding with frightened velocity. Sometimes the use of a “dump” unmanaged PoE switch fails to meet network administrator’s expectation to manage and monitor the system. Thus, even most small and medium sized businesses are moving to fully managed PoE switches. Experience from those who have dealt with 24-port managed PoE switches demonstrates that this is a journey well worth taking to optimize your network. This article will explore the benefits of using 24-port managed PoE switch.

24-Port PoE Switch: The Differences of Unmanaged vs Managed

To analyze the unsurpassed advantages of a 24-port PoE managed switch, we’d better start from scratch – the differences between unmanaged and managed 24-port PoE switch. One of the biggest differences is the level of manageability and control. While unmanaged switches have none, fully manages switches provide the greatest level of management and control. PoE managed Gigabit switch provide all the features of its unmanaged counterparts, and more. It offers the ability to configure, manage and monitor the LAN - setting the link speed of a port or disabling it entirely, or more complex like limiting bandwidth or grouping devices into VLANs. In a word, managed PoE switch opens a door for IT professionals to create a fully optimized network.

What a 24-Port Managed PoE Switch Can Achieve?

24-port managed PoE switch has become a preferable option for enterprise networks, with dramatically decreased price, expanded feature sets and improved ease of use. It can optimize your network in the following ways:

• Creates VLANs and limit access to specific devices, for example, a Gigabit managed PoE switch allows to secure the accounting staff from other departments or blocking Internet access to the production floor.
• Use Layer 3 routing capability to link smaller networks into much larger business-wide networks.
• Take advantage of Power over Ethernet (PoE), managed PoE network switch enables devices such as phones, security cameras, and Wireless access points (WAPs) to be connected on it.
• Remotely monitor network performance, detect and repair network problems without having to physically inspect the switches and devices, or take the network out of service.
• Enhance security controls. Managed PoE switch supports administrators visibility and control, enabling them to program each port individually. Which greatly contributes to expand the long-range flexibility.

When to Use a 24-port Managed PoE Switch?

Since a managed PoE switch can deliver so many flexibilities and scalabilities to a network, when should we introduce it to keep up with the growing business needs? If you need some of the following features, maybe it is the time to go with a managed PoE switch.

Demand for QoS: If you want to tailor your network traffic for QoS, redundancy, port speed, etc. And require more priority and reliability for certain computers, then get a managed switch. A 24-port managed poe switch will let you remotely disable the power on individual ports, which is useful in case you need to reboot a single AP and don’t want to get up from your chair.

Superior Management of Network: It is nice to have management features when you need them: things like VLANs, port security, port monitoring and other functions becomes even useful when business grows. A 24-port managed PoE  switch allows you to see what’s going on in the switch, and what is connected to each port. You can look at error statistics for a port to know if there is a cabling or device problem, you can remotely see which ports are actively in use, and you can also mirror ports to monitor traffic.

VLAN and VoIP Support: Ever want to have Wifi deployment and have a guest network? VLANs can help with this. It is much easier to go with a managed switch if you are going to have multiple subnets/VLANs or need to configure and manage specific ports etc. Moreover, Anything to do with VoIP configuration should always involve managed PoE switches.

24-port Managed PoE Switch Recommendation

There are many full managed switches available today, and some are specifically geared toward small and medium-size businesses. Here we recommend this FS 24-port Gigabit PoE managed switch to you: it offers 24×Gigabit PoE+ ports, 4 SFP ports, a 52 Gbps switching capacity, and a PoE power budget of 600 watts. This 24-port Gigabit managed PoE switch recognizes surveillance, IP Phone, IP Camera or wireless applications, and supplies the required amount of power automatically. The 600 watt PoE power budget enables full PoE power to every port, thus maximizing the number of PoE devices connected to the switch. With enterprise-class features, simplifies network monitoring and configuration, and solid management option, FS 24-port managed PoE switch has proven itself as an ideal solution for your network.

Conclusion

Managed PoE switch has become a better choice in the long run, if you ever anticipate advanced network features to meet business growth. And a 24-port managed PoE switch is the best fit for SMB network with its full configuration capability, advanced feature sets and improved security controls. 24-port PoE network switch is also considered the most future-proof option – enabling your business adequate space for growth that effectively bridges the connection to a high-speed data backbone.

Related Article: http://www.fiber-optic-solutions.com/power-consumption-24-port-poe-switch.html

25G Ethernet: Unleashing the Power of SFP28 Transceiver

25G Ethernet is defined as a cost and performance optimized solution for server and switch connection. As data centers are expanding at an unprecedented pace, it hence demands higher speed between server and switch. To catch up the trend, network infrastructures are undertaking the great migration to a new direction – 25G and 50G Ethernet, from which network professionals can reap significant benefits from enhanced density, speed and performance. This article explains some unique benefits of 25G Ethernet and addresses basics of the standard 25G SFP 28 spec.

25G Ethernet Decoding

Ethernet 25G links utilize a single-lane connection similar to existing 10GbE—but it delivers 2.5 times more data. While compared with 40GbE connectivity, 25G Ethernet connection requires only one lane (four with 40GbE) but offers superior switch port density, lower costs and power requirements. Moreover, 25G Ethernet takes existing module form factors, such as SFP28 and QSFP28, and allows for a breakout connection that is configurable as either 25G per lane or the full 100G without changing the port on the front of switches. Another major advantage of 25G Ethernet in that it also takes existing optical plants and increases the bandwidth by 2.5 without changing the physical infrastructure. 25G Ethernet effectively reduces CAPEX and OPEX while meets the necessary I/O bandwidth requirements in data centers.

25G SFP28 Spec: What Makes It Special?

The IEEE 802.3by specification was released in June 2016 to address Ethernet 25G data rates. It covers the SFP28 form factor, which looks the same as the 10G SFP+. And it also includes the QSFP28 form factor and the QSFP28 to four SFP28 breakout cables. 25G Ethernet has ushered in this new SFP28 spec, which significantly maximizes network performance and scalability, while decrease capital and operating expenses. SFP 28 spec helps pave the road for cloud and web-scale data center to deploy bandwidth-intensified applications. Here we offer a SFP28 vs. SFP+ vs. QSFP28 comparison.

SFP28 vs. SFP+: Same Form Factor With Different Speed

SFP28 spec is regarded as the enhanced version of SFP+ that designed for 25G signal transmission. SFP28 utilizes the same familiar form factor as SFP+, but the electrical interface is upgraded to handle 25Gbps per lane. Since its transmission rate can reach up to 28Gbps, the engineering and industry name is SFP28. Since SFP28 adopts the same form factor as SFP+, it will work sufficiently on SFP+ ports, and SFP+ cables can be plugged into SFP28 ports although they are not designed for 25Gb/s data rates. When it comes to copper cable, SFP28 copper cable possesses significantly greater bandwidth and lower loss compared with SFP+ version.

SFP28 vs. QSFP28: What Are the Differences?

With the number 28 in both of their name, SFP28 and QSFP 28 module actually adopt different working principle: SFP28 modules support 25Gb/s over a single lane, which allows for error-free transmission of 25Gb/s up to 100m over OM4 multimode fiber. While QSFP28 supports four independent channels with data rates ranging from 25 Gb/s up to potentially 40 Gb/s. Both of them can be used in 100G networks, but the SFP28 is applied in the form of QSFP28 to SFP28 breakout cables.

Conclusion

25G Ethernet is the trend to embrace, and it unleashing the power of SFP28 transceiver to deliver enhanced bandwidth, superior impedance control and less crosstalk. SFP28 spec enables a new generation of high-density 25G Ethernet switches, which facilitates server connectivity in data centers, and offers cost-effective upgrade path for enterprises deploying 10G Ethernet links today to 100G or even 400G in the future.

PoE vs PoE+: Which Is Better for You?

PoE technology is nothing new to network managers as most of them have already integrated PoE or PoE+ switches into their systems. advancements continue to be made that allow for greater flexibility and expanded device support.  By combining data and power on a single Ethernet cable, it enables new opportunities to improve energy efficiency while simplifies network deployment and management. Cabling professionals sometimes are confused when choosing PoE vs PoE+: What is PoE switch or PoE+ switch? Is there any difference between PoE vs PoE+? This post will provide some indications on that.

 

What Is PoE and Where to Use PoE Switch?

PoE (power over Ethernet) is defined by IEEE 802.3af standard, which can deliver 15.4w/port at maximum and was originally developed to push power to phones and WAPs (wireless access points). Capable of providing sufficient power for most WAPs, surveillance cameras, and IP phones, PoE is usually applied in places that have no access to AC power supply. Besides this great convenience it brings to network infrastructure, PoE also significantly reduces human labor and the cost involved in managing these devices. PoE switch is well fitted for home network and small business.

What Is PoE+ and Where to Use PoE+ Switch?

PoE+ is defined by IEEE 802.3at standard, serving as a more current standard than PoE. As the name indicated, it is an upgraded version of PoE. Compared to the legacy PoE, this option is more powerful to accommodate increased business requirements. PoE+ enables more power to be carried over a standard Ethernet cable – a maximum wattage of 25.5, thus opening the door to a broader range of devices that can be more integrated into your network. With advancements in client device technology and the amount of power they consume, PoE+ switch is fast becoming the go-to option for PoE deployments.

PoE vs PoE+: Who Is the Winner?

We’ve already got the point that the main difference between PoE vs PoE+ is the max amount of power provided. PoE is the simple, basic way to power networking devices, which can be used in most home networking setups and small business. While PoE+ is more efficient and useful in complex business networking scenarios.

PoE+ will help squeeze even more usefulness out of Cat5e and above cabling infrastructure while expanding PoE’s benefits to a much broader range of applications and powered devices (PDs). If you are considering incorporate PoE+ switch, you need to first figure out what types of devices your network would have, and what kind of power draw these types of devices may create. Choosing PoE+ allows you to adjust with the times: Though PoE+ costs more, it will save you a lot of headaches when devices that require higher power levels do come onto your network. For maximum flexibility and long-term planning, it makes sense to consider the use of PoE+ for your next PoE deployment.

PoE vs PoE+: Mix and Match

All other 802.3af features are carried over to the new 802.3at standard. This means existing Ethernet wiring can be used, 802.3af devices are still supported. So how about mixing and matching POE and PoE+ technology? As you can see from the table below, it works reasonably well.

A PoE+ Ethernet switch can support all the older PoE phones and devices, so it has maximum compatibility but is usually more expensive – all of that extra power capability can’t be for free.

Conclusion

Whether to choose PoE vs PoE+? It is clear that these systems are sure to make your space more efficient and easier to use. If you already have an existing PoE network and it is adequate for your need, PoE switch is a fairly good choice. But if you’re starting to build new network infrastructure, there’s simply one smart choice: take PoE+ switch on your list.

Fiber Optic Cable Pulling Advices

Fiber optic cable (optical fiber) nowadays is deployed everywhere to feed the insatiable bandwidth needs of mission-critical applications. However, fail to pull fiber optic cable properly will eventually lead to serious network problems and disasters. So, to ensure a smooth and efficient fiber optic cable pulling, installers should get fully prepared, while taking various factors into account to avoid damaging the optical fiber. Here, we offer you this guide for pulling fiber optic cable, and advices to get the work done.

Before Pulling Fiber Optic Cable: Some Precautions

Through the whole fiber optic cable installation process, preparation is the very primary phase – which would have a profound impact on the optical fiber pulling task. To get well-prepared, the following factors must be valued.

1. Avoid Fiber Optic Cable Damage

When pulling fiber optic cable, the first step is to measure and cut the material. The glass fiber within the cable is fragile and requires greater care during the process of optical cable pulling. Generally, broken fiber optic cable is difficult to detect, so extra attention should be paid to avoid damaging fiber optic cable.

2. Despooling Optical Fiber Properly

Improper fiber optic cable pulling and despoiling can cause optical cordage failure. One should also avoid cable twist when despooling fiber optic cable to prevent stressing the fibers. Therefore, optical fiber should be reeled off the spool, not spun over the edge of the spool.

3. Fiber Optical Cable Pulling Force

The pulling force must be kept below a designated limit for the specific fiber cable being installed. This is usually 600 pounds for outside plant (OSP) cable and 300 pounds or less for other cables. When using power equipment to pull OSP cable, tension monitoring equipment or breakaway swivels must always be used.

4. Avoid Bending Optical Fiber Too Tightly

Bending fiber optic cable on too tight a radius is a common problem. A minimum bending radius of 10 cable diameters must be maintained over long-term, static conditions. When fiber optic cable is placed under a tensile load, a minimum of 20 cable diameters is recommended.

Procedures for Pulling Fiber Optic Cable

Step One: Inspect the cable run to ensure there are no sharp bends or corners that exceed the minimum bend radius of the fiber cable.

Step Two: In many runs, if the pulling distance is short enough and the pathway straight enough, fiber optic cable can be pulled by hand. However, first make sure the pull does not exceed the tensile-loading limit established by the manufacturer for installation.

Step Three: With some fiber optic cable, such as outside-plant cable, it may be necessary to attach the pulling grip to strength members that surround the fiber cable core as well as the outer jacket. This is done by sliding the grip past the end of the optical fiber and then cutting the cable jacket back to expose the strength members.

Step Four: Use a swivel when pulling to make sure twists in the pull rope are not translated to the fiber optic cable. Also, use a tension meter to monitor the tension being applied to the fiber cable during the pull.

Step Five: After pulling fiber optic cable, cut off approximately 10 feet of cable from the pulling end to remove any portion of the fiber cable that may have been stretched or damaged during installation.

Note: Leave enough fiber optic cable at either end to reach the work-area and closet terminating locations. You are now ready to terminate or connectorize the fiber cable.

Conclusion

Pulling fiber optic cable is a rather important part in optical fiber installation. During the process, installers should avoid fiber cable damage, despoiling it properly, and take pulling force into account. Since the real optical fiber pulling environment could be more complex, the recommended procedures for fiber optic cable pulling here simply provide guideline, hope it can be helpful.

Fiber Optic Cable: Single Mode Patch Cable or Multimode Patch Cable?

Fiber optic cable is ubiquitous nowadays to increase network speed and performance. There exist various flavors of fiber optic cable, among which fiber patch cables (fiber jumper cables) are preferable options for using in data centers. There are two variations of fiber patch cables: single mode patch cable and multimode patch cable. So for practical use, is there any difference between single mode patch cable and its multimode counterparts? How about the application scenarios of each. This article explains it from scratch.

Single Mode Patch Cable Overview

Single mode patch cable (single mode fiber jumper) has a core of 8 to 10 microns. In single mode patch cable, light travels toward the center of the core in a single wavelength – this allows the signal to travel over longer distances with relatively less signal loss. Most single mode patch cable is color-coded yellow. Single mode fiber jumper is the best choice for transmitting data over long distances.

Multimode Patch Cable Overview

Unlike single mode patch cable, multimode patch cable has a core of either 50 or 62.5 microns - the larger core gathers more light compared to single mode fiber patch cables. Although more cost-effective than single mode patch cable, multimode cabling only maintain signal quality over short distances. Multimode patch cable is generally color-coded orange (OM1, OM2) or aqua (OM3, OM4). Multimode patch cables are a good choice for transmitting data and voice signals over shorter distances.

Single Mode Patch Cable vs Multimode Patch Cable: How to Choose?

Should I adopt single mode fiber patch cable or multimode version? It totally depends on your network requirements. Single mode patch cable usually used for connections over large areas, such as college campuses and remote offices. Single mode fiber jumper has a higher bandwidth than multimode cable to deliver up to twice the throughput. Multimode patch cables, however, quite contrary to single mode fiber patch cables, are typically used for data and audio/visual applications in local-area networks, and connections within buildings or remote office in close proximity to one another.

Summery

Fiber optic cable with reliable quality is critical for your network performance. Single mode patch cable and multimode patch cable each has unique pros and cons and different using scenarios. Generally, single mode patch cable is best used for distances exceeding 550 meters while multimode cable is more cost-effective for applications up to 550 meters. Nowadays, there is an increasing tendency to choose single mode fiber patch cable, since many service provides will only do single mode cabling for new installs.