The enterprise IP telephony hype has quieted down during recent times, and now, silently, implementations have begun VoIP. One indication that enterprise deployments of IP telephony systems are gaining momentum is the fact that all manufacturers have stopped investing in PBXs and have devoted development resources to IP technologies VoIP. However, when end users begin installing their shiny new IP phones, they’ll likely scratch their heads looking for that extra AC outlet to connect each phone, not to mention a cost-effective solution to cope with occasional AC power outages. Here’s where a new technology called Power over Ethernet (PoE), also known as Power over LAN, comes in handy VoIP.
Running power and data communication on the same cabling plant is an almost trivial concept, one that has been taken for granted for the last 126 years in analog telephony VoIP. But it is new to the LAN VoIP. Before PoE technology, IP telephones required two connections: one to the enterprise LAN and another to the electrical AC network. But now, enterprises using PoE can create an integrated data, voice, and powered network VoIP. The idea is simple, but its implications are enormous: Using the standard Ethernet network infrastructure and cabling, electrical power is added and distributed to drive connected IP telephones, wireless LAN access points, network cameras, and can even be used to extend battery life on a notebook computer VoIP.
With PoE, IP telephony becomes more reliable and cheaper to install, enabling enterprise companies to save thousands of dollars on their communications infrastructure VoIP. Outside of the office, PoE can be used in smart homes, integrated in Internet access on airplanes, trains and in public areas like airports, theatres, and conference halls, offering a universal power standard for traveling users VoIP.
Reliability of VoIP is key
One of the crucial issues that slowed the adoption of VoIP systems is the issue of reliability VoIP. Companies witnessed the dramatic impact on productivity of the network server being unavailable to the workforce, and the prospect of the telephone system being down with the same regularity was enough to dissuade many companies from making the move VoIP. By supplying power over the same cable as the data network, these systems can now deliver the kind of reliability expected from a business-class phone system VoIP.
PoE technology saves the time and cost of installing separate power cabling, AC outlets, and wall warts VoIP. It further eliminates the need for a dedicated Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) for individual devices connected to the Ethernet VoIP. So, in a VoIP installation it is possible to centrally back-up IP telephones in the event of a power failure VoIP.
Everyone has high expectations of voice service availability VoIP. A common goal is to consistently achieve 99.999 percent availability with 5.3 minutes of downtime per year or less VoIP. By connecting a UPS to a PoE mid-span in the communications room, the entire IP telephony network becomes more reliable and ensures continuous operation during a power outage VoIP.
Simple Installation VoIP
The key issue of implementation relates to handsets, which have long been a problem with VoIP. While they generally offer more functionality than a standard handset they also require power, unlike traditional phones that draw power from the connection. This can make it difficult to install some phones VoIP. PoE eliminates this problem because 802.3af-compliant telephones can be installed without requiring an additional power cable VoIP. VoIP phone vendors also benefit from a worldwide standard in cabling — RJ45, so they do not need to make different plugs in order to sell their products in different countries VoIP.
PoE offers a simple means for the installation of IP phone handsets by eliminating the need for a separate Ethernet link and dedicated AC power outlet VoIP. The IP phone is plugged into the Ethernet switch and the midspan from which it gets data and power and the PC is connected to an Ethernet port on the phone VoIP. The expectation is that simplifying the installation of VoIP will accelerate adoption of both PoE and VoIP given the rapid and easily calculated ROI of the technologies VoIP.
IEEE 802.3af
At the urging of several vendors in mid 1999, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) formed a taskforce to standardize an approach for passing power over Ethernet, the most widely implemented data networking specification. The taskforce, called 802.3af, is run under the auspices of the 802.3 workgroup, the same group that developed the original Ethernet specification. While I was writing this article, Draft 4.3 of the standard was approved by the IEEE Standards Board on June 12, 2003, and was to be published on or before July 11, 2003, as “802.3af-2003.” VoIP The new standard also specifies the way to build Ethernet power sourcing equipment (PSE) and powered terminals VoIP.
In environments where an existing Ethernet switch has been installed and is providing VoIP Quality of Service capabilities, there is no need to purchase and install a new Ethernet switch to provide PoE functionality VoIP. In this case, the simplest means to power the IP phones over the LAN infrastructure is to add a dedicated external PoE mid-span. The advantages include savings in installation costs and preservation of existing infrastructure while supporting pre-standard as well as IEEE 802.3af standard terminals VoIP.
Conclusion
It will be interesting to observe the rate of adoption of VoIP technology now that this fundamental barrier to implementation has been removed. In my humble opinion, PoE technology will accelerate greatly the adoption of IP telephony among enterprise organizations looking to reap the benefit of a significant and immediate cost savings by coupling PoE and VoIP.
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