The University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (www.iol.unh.edu) Power over Ethernet Consortium will host an 802.3af interoperability group test period (GTP) August 4 through 8.

The GTP is an opportunity for manufacturers to test data terminal equipment (DTE) power via media dependent interface (MDI) implementations based on the 802.3af standard, which was recently ratified by the IEEE. According to the InterOperability Lab, this event will allow multiple vendors to conveniently test their implementations in a new group testing facility in Durham, NH.

The lab houses an assortment of testing tools, including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, oscilloscopes, waveform generators, and traffic generators and analyzers. All these testers are available for use during the GTP.

The testing is scheduled to take place for a total of 37 hours--12 hours on Tuesday, August 5; 10 hours on Wednesday, August 6; 12 hours on Thursday, August 7; and 3 hours on Friday, August 8.

Vendors interested in participating must register ahead of time. More information is available from Gerard Nadeau, Power over Ethernet Consortium manager, who can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].