Linksys PoE Kit Takes Wireless To New Heights

Linksys' new WAPPOE12 Power over Ethernet (PoE) Adapter Kit passes DC PoE cable so that devices such as wireless routers can get both power and data over the one cable. In addition to allowing neater installations, the PoE kit lets solution providers keep all the profits from an install job rather than having to share them with a licensed electrician.

Linksys recommends that the PoE kit be used in conjunction with a Linksys-branded router, although it will also work with most 12-volt DC equipment as well as with network devices that can accept 48 volts directly on a PoE port. An ideal and extremely affordable choice in routers is Linksys' WRT54G wireless-G unit.

Wireless-G (802.11g) operates at 54 Mbps, which is nearly five times as fast as wireless-B (802.11b). Both types of transmissions share the same 2.4GHz radio band, so wireless-G devices can work with existing wireless-B equipment. With both standards built into the router, wireless-B users can continue to use their equipment until they are ready to migrate to Wireless-G. The WRT54G costs $69.

In addition to wireless connectivity, the WRT54G has a built-in four-port 10/100 switch for connecting wired Ethernet devices or additional hubs and switches. Once connected, computers can share a broadband Internet connection, printers, storage arrays, files and more. Everything is shared in a secure manner, as the router can encode all wireless transmissions with up to 256-bit encryption, and it supports both Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA). The router can serve as a DHCP server, and it features a Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall to guard against intruders and attacks. It supports VPN pass-through and can be configured to filter Internet access. Configuration is done via a browser-based utility, although the router will work in the factory default mode right out of the box.

As good as any router can be, however, wireless connectivity is useless when signal reception is poor. The best location to install a wireless router is on the ceiling, preferably in the center of the area to be covered. But if mounting the router on a ceiling is not practical, it should then be mounted high on a nearby wall. The PoE kit supplies power to wall- or ceiling-mounted network devices without requiring that they be near an AC outlet. This is ideal for placing a wireless router in the middle of a warehouse to enable optimum coverage. Ethernet cable can run a maximum length of 329 feet, so the PoE kit allows a wireless router to be located up to 329 feet away from the nearest wired router and AC outlet.

The 12-volt PoE Adapter Kit consists of two main parts—an injector and a splitter. The injector features an Ethernet plug and port, along with a 48-volt DC input for the included power adapter, and is about the size of a deck of cards. The injector must be located near an AC outlet and an Ethernet port on the network. The injector then sends DC power and data over a Category 5 Ethernet cable to an access point, wireless router or bridge. At the other end, the splitter—which looks almost identical to the injector—separates the data and power back into two cables, which then plug into the wireless router.

Keep in mind that 48-volts DC is sent over the Ethernet cable, and the splitter cuts that down to 12-volts DC. Note also that the Injector can be used by itself with PoE-enabled network devices that can accept 48 volts directly on a PoE port. The Linksys PoE kit costs $49.99—much less than the cost of adding a new electrical outlet.

Linksys' single-level channel program has been in place since February 2004. Linksys-registered resellers get additional discounts on select Linksys Small Business Class products, special reseller-only promotions, demo program pricing, marketing tools, and access to select products from Linksys' line of Small Business Wired and Wireless Products not typically found in retail. Product training is done live via Webcasts on a monthly basis.

Technical support is available 24x7, with a special technical support line for Linksys-registered resellers.