For some small and mid-size businesses, Power-over-Ethernet is a technology that is beyond their means.
However, Hewlett-Packard Co. has brought out a new line of PoE switches for CDN$2,100 or less which it believes will suit their bottom lines.
The ProCurve 2520 series is a line of four switches which will allow SMBs to deploy enterprise solutions such as voice-over-IP phones, wireless LANs and video surveillance cameras, said Kristin Pierce, worldwide director of SMB Solutions for HP ProCurve Networking.
The four models are available in eight or 24 port versions, in either Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet connectivity.
“Some of the [other] vendors have been working up from the consumer space” to offer PoE switches, Pierce said. But, she said, ProCurve is bringing enterprise features down to SMB products.
For example, the 2520s offer automatic protection against denial of service attacks, and traffic prioritization to enhance voice quality.
In addition, several models have energy-efficient features including the ability to set unused ports and LEDs to go into a low-power mode.
The 8-port versions of the 2520, expected to be deployed in offices rather than closets, are fanless for silent operation.
The 2520 has other features that may appeal to smaller organizations. There’s a Web interface available for companies that have small IT staff who aren’t familiar with the standard command line interface.
Pierce said HP has worked to ensure the 2520 supports a wide range of standards-based telephony solutions. In particular, it has received certification from Avaya Inc.’s DevConnect program for compatibility with that company’s IP Office system.
The 2500 series has three other models, including the venerable 2510, introduced three years ago and still going strong.
However the 2524, which is 10 years old, and the 2512 will stop being sold in February.
The 2520 8-port Ethernet switch lists at US$649, while the Fast Ethernet version lists at $1,049.
The 24-port Ethernet switch lists at US$999, while the Fast Ethernet version lists at $1,199.