HP plugs into Power over Ethernet

Vendor expands networking business by adding 802/1af-compliant tech to ProCurve switches

Hewlett Packard's networking business has joined the ranks of switch vendors that directly support Power over Ethernet (PoE). It has added the 802/1af-compliant technology to two of its ProCurve switches, the 2626PWR and 2650PWR.

"We think people will not immediately switch to using all PoE networking products, but there will be incremental upgrades," said Jon Weatherall, HP's ProCurve networking country manager for the UK and Ireland. "PoE is well-suited for powering wireless access points."

The 24-port 2626PWR and the 48-port 2650PWR offer 15.4W and 7.2W of power per port respectively. They also boast dual uplink ports with both mini-GBIC and copper connections. They use PowerDsine's chipset, which is 802.3af-compliant. PowerDsine sells chipsets to networking manufacturers on an OEM basis.

Ashley Snelling, managing director of HP reseller ADA, said: "We recently installed a 700-phone IP telephony network, and PoE featured heavily in that. People are starting to ask for PoE, especially government bodies.

Corporates are not necessarily of the same mindset, though. The 2600 series has been well received, and a combination of a lifetime warranty and PoE makes it a potential market leader."