PLC adapter leverages PoE for small business VoIP networking

Asoka USA Corporation (Santa Clara, CA), a provider of powerline communications (PLC) hardware and services, has unveiled its PlugLink PoE-200 (PL9660-48A), the company's first PLC adapter to support the Power over Ethernet (PoE) standard. The company says the PlugLink PoE-200 adapter allows consumers and small businesses to quickly build networks that deliver up to 15.4 Watts of DC power for devices such as Voice over IP (VoIP) handsets, IP security cameras and other powered network devices.

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“PoE is a great idea because it made it easier to deploy and connect non-computer IP devices, and with the PlugLink PoE-200 we’re taking that to the next level of simplicity,” explains Danny Castellano, vice president of marketing for Asoka. “The PlugLink eliminates the added costs and installation time, giving users high-speed data and power that takes just minutes to connect.”

Asoka contends that the PlugLink PoE-200 can open up home applications for PoE, and simplifies PoE networks for small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that currently need to either purchase “wall wart” power adapters and Ethernet cables for each handset, or purchase a PoE switch or hub for network-based powering. In addition to simplifying installations, the PlugLink PoE-200 significantly reduces the cost of installing a VoIP PBX since no new cabling and no external power supplies are required for each handset.

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With the PlugLink PoE-200, a business owner or consumer can simply plug an adapter into any wall socket and connect the phone or device, turning the power outlet into a PoE network connection. The PlugLink PoE-200 provides a 10/100 Ethernet port with PoE for user connectivity and a 200 Mbps PLC backbone connection. The adapter also supports the major Ethernet quality of service (QoS) standards in addition to the HomePlug AV standard which ensures sufficient bandwidth for use in VoIP and HDTV networks. The PlugLink PoE-200 will not interfere with the operation of other devices.

Additionally, the adapter features a secure network encryption key to ensure that data and content are protected while in transit on the PLC network. The adapter features 128-bit AES encryption for secure data transmission across the electrical power line - users simply push the encryption button to “pair” adapters and the encryption is set. The PlugLink PoE-200 is available today with US, UK and European plug types. Visit Asoka's PlugLink resource page.

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