Cisco Releases 802.3af-Friendly PoE Switches

PoE, a technology Cisco pioneered in 2000, allows the delivery of DC power over the same copper wire as Ethernet, and enables customers to integrate a host of new powered network-attached devices to their existing LAN infrastructures. The IEEE 802.3af power classification allows switches to recognize powered devices that identify the amount of power required.

"Fundamentally, these devices change the landscape of devices that can be attached and run off of in-line power," said Steve Shalita, senior manager of worldwide product marketing for Cisco's LAN switching division,. "Power over Ethernet is a huge opportunity for resellers to get in there and make money selling some of this technology."

Specifically, the San Jose, Calif., networking giant unveiled 802.3af-compliant 10/100/1000 and 10/100 PoE line cards for the Cisco Catalyst 6500 and 4500 Series modular switching platforms, new PoE options for the Catalyst 3750, and a new standalone PoE Switch family, the Catalyst 3560.

Cisco also introduced a new single-slot 96-port 10/100 module with optional 802.3af PoE daughter card to deliver flexible, high-density deployments in compact form factors. Shalita deemed this new module an "easy to upgrade," and noted that solution providers can migrate customers quickly and effectively from older modules while driving down customers' total cost of ownership and extending customer investments.

The new switches were expected to retail at prices ranging from $3,795 for the Catalyst 3560 10/100 to $14,000 for the Catalyst 6500 10/100/1000 with the IEEE 802.3af power daughter card. Shalita said Cisco's PoE products are available now.