As your business grew, so did your need for outdoor storage. Although you had planned to extend your surveillance system to cover the additional space, the estimated cost of upgrading the network—new cabling, replacement hardware, and labor—exceeded your budget. Because the network upgrade didn’t happen, the new storage area remained outside your video surveillance coverage. That gap in surveillance resulted in $10,000 worth of materials being stolen—losses you’re now trying to recover through an insurance claim.
Of course, the theft happened at the start of your busiest week in months. Instead of heading to the job site, two employees must now pick up replacement materials, disrupting the work schedule. End-of-the-week schedules may need to be adjusted if some replacement materials are unavailable.
Unfortunately, this is a common pattern: many organizations delay upgrading their network infrastructure due to cost and operational disruptions. When they total the costs for new wiring, upgraded cabling, replacement equipment, and labor, the project seems cost-prohibitive. Even if the upgrade is within budget, the disruptive potential to the business network may be too high.
With power-over-Ethernet (PoE) technology, businesses can leverage their existing infrastructure to reduce costs and minimize disruptions. PoE business network installations can turn legacy networks into scalable solutions that can grow with your company. How? Read the following guide to discover how the flexibility of PoE can simplify installation and maintenance, improve reliability, and contribute to an eco-friendly work environment.
How Growing Businesses Benefit from the Flexibility of PoE
Adages often have a grain of truth, like the often-quoted “a goal without a plan is just a wish.” The quote could serve as the mantra for network retrofitting projects. Planning requires documenting an existing network and identifying requirements for a new one. It means evaluating existing and new equipment to ensure compatibility and deciding how the upgrade will be deployed.
Step 1. Confirm Whether Your Infrastructure is PoE Ready
Most enterprises moved from Cat3 to Cat5 or higher at the turn of the century to meet the growing demand for more data at faster speeds. Buildings with existing Cat5e or higher infrastructures are PoE-ready to support data speeds up to one gigabit per second over short distances (less than 100 meters). Cat6 and Cat8 cables can be used to deliver higher data transmission rates over longer distances (more than 100 meters using PoE extenders) with less interference and crosstalk.
NOTE: Cat 8 cables are generally used for data heavy, switch to switch communication.
With PoE switches, Cat5, 6, and 8 cables can co-exist because the standards support backward compatibility. Instead of a rip-and-replace approach, organizations can leverage their existing infrastructure while upgrading areas that require higher speeds. They do not have to incur costly cable replacements.
Step 2. Update Your Network Diagram
Every organization should have a network diagram that identifies the cable runs, electrical wires, and equipment. It should label cables as Cat5, 6, or 8. As part of updating the network map, IT should test cable integrity, identify switch capabilities, document port availability, and ensure equipment operation.
IT should diagram what the network needs to meet current and future requirements. What speeds are needed? What equipment should be replaced? The changes should be prioritized based on need.
Once companies know where they are and where they need to be, they need to plan deployment before buying equipment and scheduling installations. This step is essential when integrating PoE into an existing network because of the technology’s flexibility.
Step 3. Choose the Right Upgrade Path
When faced with expanding an existing system, as in the opening scenario, most businesses default to their current solution. Whether surveillance cameras or environmental sensors, the current system probably uses older technology, requiring electrical wiring and network connectivity. The cost of new devices and labor can make an expansion cost-prohibitive, which often translates into doing nothing.
By installing a PoE switch, companies increase their options.
- Connect a PoE switch to the network and PoE devices such as IP surveillance cameras. The switch serves as the power source for the cameras, eliminating the cost of electrical wiring and electricians. PoE wireless access points, powered by the same switch, can transmit data. Businesses can deploy a self-contained solution at minimal cost.
- Consolidate endpoints by moving existing devices to a PoE-enabled switch. PoE switches are backward compatible. They can support mixed connectivity environments, checking each device before sending power. If the device is not PoE-enabled, the switch does not power the device. The consolidation can eliminate an existing switch, driving the older systems, and simplify device management by centralizing endpoint connectivity.
- Replace existing systems with PoE solutions. Although organizations can rip and replace an existing system, they can deploy a PoE solution with less disruption. Following the first option, companies create a self-contained system that runs parallel to the legacy solution. They gradually replace the existing endpoints and migrate them to the PoE-enabled switch that is connected to the surveillance system. This option reduces disruptions, as the parallel systems continue to operate until the last device is replaced and migrated to the switch.
The last step in making a wish a reality is selecting the equipment and tools to make it happen.
How PoE Business Network Installations Streamline Deployment
With a plan in place, IT departments can select the equipment, test the installation, and schedule deployment.
Selecting the Right PoE Equipment
Identifying the appropriate PoE equipment for a project requires calculating the power budget and assessing data transmission speeds. Some switches, such as Versa’s C60-244-30-370, are designed for specific applications. The C60-244 operates as a camera controller with a GUI interface for effective management. Its power budget is 370W with data speeds up to a gigabit per second. IT departments should add 20% headroom to accommodate growth.
Use Test Tools to Validate Performance Before Deployment
Testing is crucial for a successful deployment. Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) helps identify shorts and opens, and checks link speeds. Specialized PoE testers can identify a device’s standard and power class to verify power budget calculations. They can also measure voltage and power. Testing before deployment ensures that components are operational, reducing downtime and facilitating troubleshooting. It can also highlight areas that may need adjusting from the original plan.
Schedule the Deployment to Minimize Disruption
Organizations that plan carefully enjoy the simplicity of PoE deployments. They realize how PoE devices can plug into legacy configurations while offering advanced solutions. Understanding the flexibility of PoE technology gives businesses more options to stay within budget without sacrificing functionality. Testing before deployment simplifies deployment, enabling companies to leverage their existing technology without compromising scalability.
Versa Technology is a leader in PoE solutions, offering PoE switches, injectors, extenders, and cameras for single-building to industrial-enterprise deployments. To learn more about PoE flexibility or request a quote, contact Versa.
