As a Power over Ethernet (PoE) switch administrator, you never want your clients experiencing a loss of critical services due to power outages or faulty power supplies. PLANET has developed the following guide to help you choose a Poe Network Redundant power supply that suits your network’s needs.

Given the broad range of PoE switches currently available on the market, choosing the right one might be a bit complicated. In addition, the selection of a product that fits your immediate and future needs can also be challenging.

What is a Redundant Power Supply?

A redundant power supply contains two or more power supply units inside. Using redundant power supplies enables a piece of networking equipment to function even when only one physical power supply is in use, often when the other power supplies fail. 

These resources are typically found in servers and other sophisticated computers to avert any cases of complete computer shutdown or failure. When one redundant power supply switch fails, the other(s) can carry on, ensuring that regular computer use is not interrupted.

PoE Network Redundant Power Supplies

PoE network redundant power supplies contain two or more power supply units inside and are used to power PoE (Power over Ethernet) products. Rather than using two separate cables for power and data transmission, a PoE connection typically integrates the two and transmits power and data over a single ethernet cable.

The ethernet cable suits this purpose because it can deliver electrical power to devices. This removes the need for extra electrical wiring during network installations.

Although it was initially used with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones and then with security cameras, PoE connectivity is now used for wireless access points and other functions. This capacity for multiple uses has made PoE network redundant power supplies more and more popular across enterprise applications.

Types of Power Supply Redundancy

When choosing a redundant power supply for your PoE network, you can either go for full or partial redundancy.

Full redundancy, also referred to as 1:1 redundancy, occurs when each switch is connected to two power supplies. When the power goes down, the other power supply assumes control automatically.

On the contrary, partial redundancy (1:N redundancy) occurs when one extra power supply is available for multiple switches. When the power goes down, it takes a while before the power supply is changed from one source to another, unlike the immediate transition that occurs in a 1:1 redundancy.

How Much Power Does A Network Switch Need?

The amount of power used by a network switch depends on the manufacturer.

For example, the BSP-360 Industrial Renewable Energy, 4-Port, 10/100/1000t 802.3at Managed Ethernet Switch has a maximum power output of 36W per port, meaning that the total power budget for this switch is 120W.

The Benefits of a Redundant Power Supply

Here are the primary advantages of using a switch designed to connect to a redundant power supply: 

• Continuous equipment performance: When one power supply goes off, the other will become functional immediately, without any downtime. The compensating power supply becomes the backup for the entire network.
• Support for hot swapping: You can easily unplug and replace any defective power supplies without taking your device offline. The advantage of having multiple redundant power supplies is that the backup power supplies will keep your devices in operation even when one fails, so that no downtime occurs.
• Separate power circuits: In order to ensure that your switches or gaming equipment are powered on at all times, it is vital to have each redundant power supply operating on a separate electrical circuit. This allows your devices to continue functioning even after a circuit trip. In addition, you can perform maintenance activities without taking your devices offline.

Choosing a PoE Network Redundant Power Supply

When selecting a PoE network redundant power supply, it is crucial that you go for an option that suits your specific application needs.

These are the primary considerations:

• Compatibility: Different brands could have different connections, meaning you should go for a PoE network redundant power supply compatible with your Ethernet switch. For instance, if you’re using the BSP-360 Industrial Renewable Energy, 4-Port, 10/100/1000t 802.3at Managed Ethernet Switch, look for a power supply that can deliver more than 120W of power, such as the PWR-480-48 48V, 480W Din-Rail Power Supply. 
• Power budget: It is vital that you consider all your devices’ total power output so that you can align the purchase with your budget. Ensure that you calculate the power budget by looking at all the devices that will be connected to the switch. After that, choose a PoE network redundant power supply that corresponds to these figures.
• Type of current: Because most network switches use AC power, it is essential that you have a power source outlet when operating one. The alternative is to convert AC to DC with the help of a power supply. During the conversion process, the power supply will transmit the AC from the outlet and convert it to unregulated DC. Afterwards it will minimize the voltage with the help of an input power transformer.

Bottom Line

Choosing a PoE network redundant power supply that suits your needs is no walk in the park. That is why, in this guide, we have explained PoE switches and outlined the primary considerations.

Here are four takeaways from this article:

• The amount of power used by a network switch depends on the manufacturer.
• A redundant power supply contains two or more power supply units inside.
• Redundant power supplies ensure the continuous performance of equipment and support for hot swapping. They contain separate power circuits, guaranteeing that your switches or gaming equipment are powered on at all times.
• When buying a PoE network redundant power supply, consider compatibility, the power budget, and the type of current in use. 

PLANET offers a wide range of power supply units to suit the needs of your network. Contact us today to speak with our product team.

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