Transition Networks recently announced the forthcoming introduction of a family of enterprise-class multi-port Gigabit Ethernet Power over Ethernet Plus media converters. The SGPAT10xx-105 10/100/1000Base-T-to-1000Base-X Gigabit Ethernet media conversion family “easily and affordably facilitates the connection between different types of network cabling, while also injecting PoE Plus power through the copper RJ45 port, thereby eliminating the need to run power to the remote device,” Transition Networks said when announcing the new converters. “In addition, the Active Link Pass Through (ALPT) and Auto Power Reset (APR) features make it quick and simple for network administrators to manage link failures and power resets.”
The company further explained that the media converters can be used in applications ranging from the connection of remote powered devices (PDs) over fiber or redundant fiber, creating a small remote workgroup of one or two PoE Plus devices, connecting multiple remote systems to a single fiber-switch connection via daisy-chain, or using a single device as two individual media converters.
As power sourcing equipment (PSE) devices, the media converters combine data received over a fiber-optic link with 56VDC input power to provide power and data to a PD over twisted-pair cabling, in compliance with the IEEE 802.3at PoE Plus standard.
The SGPAT10xx-105 media converter family is available in 2-, 3-, and 4-port versions and includes PD signature sensing and power-monitoring features. The 2-port device features 10/100/1000 copper-to-fiber media conversion with IEEE 802.3at PoE Plus on the copper port. The 3-port device features on RJ45 PoE Plus port and two open SFP slots, with the ability to be configured as a 3-port switch or as a 2-port media converter with redundant fiber links. The 4-port device features two RJ45 PoE Plus ports and two open SFP slots, and can be configured as a 4-port switch with or without redundant fiber or as two independent PoE Plus media converters.
Curt Carlson, product manager with Transition Networks, commented, “The new SGPAT media converters add a significant amount of flexibility to extend network connectivity to remote systems like WiFi access points, surveillance cameras and even to small workgroups. These products are really the templates for next-generation media converters that need to excel at physical layer PoE Plus connectivity but also have some network intelligence—like Layer 2 switching—for added convenience and flexibility.”
The media converters are designed for tabletop installations but also support options for mounting on a wall or DIN rail, Transition Networks noted. They ship with an external AC/DC power supply and country-specific power cord. Other features include overcurrent protection, undercurrent protection, and fault protection input. ALPT is an automatically activated version of link pass through that allows the converter to detect the loss of receiver signals on either the fiber or copper port and propagate the failure to the end devices for network management alarms—preventing the media converter from isolating those link failures. During a link pass through event, the APR feature will reset the power to the PD, ensuring it is ready to go when the link pass through event is corrected.
Transition Networks explained the SGPAT10xx-105 product line currently is in customer evaluations, and will be widely available in June 2017.