Netis PE6110 10-port PoE switch-an affordable solution for video surveillance systems
One of the significant advantages of digital video surveillance systems over analog ones is power over the Ethernet network. In some cases, when a surveillance camera is installed in a remote location, the ability to use a PoE camera can even be crucial when choosing between analog and digital cameras.
By itself, the power supply technology over Ethernet is quite simple and when implemented "in hardware" - a penny. But since the main applications of PoE devices are IP phones in offices and video surveillance cameras, PoE equipment manufacturers are happy to charge double or triple the price for equipment that supports power over Ethernet. Of course, in serious large-scale projects, where the cost of implementation is comparable to the cost of equipment, few people pay attention to such trifles as the price of PoE injectors. More precisely, few people paid attention before. Now the situation has changed.
First of all, small customers were able to purchase 8-10-port PoE injectors on AliExpress. If you need to connect 10-20 surveillance cameras to the server powered by PoE, you can choose any type of desired switch, at least 100-megabit, 1-Gigabit, set to exit one or more PoE injectors cost 5-6 thousand rubles, and get fully working custom infrastructure is much more flexible than in the case of the use of specialized switches for video surveillance.
If we are talking about a small object where you need to install no more than 10 PoE devices, for example, 2-3 IP cameras and 6-7 IP phones, then in principle, you can buy unassembled PoE injectors in the form of a ready-made Board. Here, in Russia, it remains to choose a case for such a Board, a power supply-and that's it. The cost of such solutions can be less than 2 thousand rubles for 8 ports, and you will be surprised if you find out how often such solutions are used in practice. And for any arguments like "collective Farm", "ugly", "unreliable", the counterargument will be the price and the answer like" works 2 years round the clock - no problems noticed".
Thus, if you select devices for supplying power to the Ethernet network, you will have 2 options. The first is certified, specialized, inexplicably expensive equipment. The second is Chinese, almost without a guarantee, often assembled on the knees. Both options will work for years in 24/7 mode, without causing any problems. So the question is: what's in the middle?
Some network equipment manufacturers can not pass by this "Golden mean", which is literally empty and calls for "take me". Their audience is those who want to buy a cheap factory product with a guarantee and certificate. It is fundamentally important to have a device that is mounted in a rack, because only a rack-mounted device will save the client from calculating separately the cost of the switch and separately the cost of the PoE injector.
Netis, a new name in the network equipment market, recently introduced a family of PoE switches for video surveillance. Models from 8 to 24 ports, both 100-megabit and Gigabit, can be used in any installation - both in small offices and private homes, and in business centers.
The most affordable models are the SmB class of the PE61xx series. Let's look at them in more detail.
The youngest, Netis PE6108H (PE-6201), has 8 ports with a speed of 100 Mbit/s, of which 4 ports support PoE. To be honest, I don't understand in what cases this model can be useful. Four non-PoE ports with a speed of 100 Mbit / s are a waste of money. You probably have a Gigabit router above this switch, and paying for 4 PoE ports as a separate device is a strange choice.
This model has a Gigabit analog, Netis PE6108GH. It seems to be more interesting, but again, cameras that use Gigabit bandwidth are rare. And about the configuration of ports 4+4, we said above.
Much more interesting is the Netis PE6108 (PE-6202) model, in which all 8 ports with a speed of 100 Mbit/s have PoE support. This is already a device that can be safely recommended for small installations. Given that 1 of the switch ports will work as an Uplink, you can connect 7 devices. The Gigabit analog of this commuter, the PE6108G model, can be recommended if you are building a network "for the ages!", or it is extremely important for you to put a Gigabit on any port, for example, if the switch will be used not only for surveillance cameras, but also for a General computer network.
The most interesting model from the initial class looks like a 10-port 100-megabit Netis PE6110. This uses the 8 PoE + 2 Uplink port configuration. That is, to connect to a shared network, you do not use the PoE port.
Of course, we would like 2 Uplink ports to be able to aggregate to connect to a Gigabit network at least at a speed of 200 Mbit / s, which will be very useful if you install modern 5-megapixel IP cameras or 802.3 AC access points. But the manufacturer reminds us that after all, we are dealing with the lower price segment, and aggregation of Uplink channels does not smell here.
But you can use the second 100-megabit port for stacking such switches. In other words, if you connect 2 such devices and connect them together, you will get 16 PoE ports. In principle, if your IP cameras have their own motion detection algorithms, and do not clog the bandwidth to the server around the clock, and even stand in places where people do not really go, then this solution will not cause an overload of channels to the server, and it may well be working.
Well, for applications with IP phones, where you can not think about the network bandwidth, this is generally an ideal solution: they wanted to install additional jobs, put a second switch in the stack - and no problems.
Let's take a closer look at Netis PE6110
There is not much to say about the design here - a typical industrial design for mounting in a telecommunications rack. With dimensions of 280x173x43 mm, installation is allowed even in compact wall cabinets. And mounting brackets-are included.
The switches have built-in power supplies, so they are connected to the UPS or PDU using standard IEC-320 cables. As expected, power is supplied from the back, and all data ports are displayed on the front side. Network ports have built-in activity indicators, and in addition to the power indicator, no other information is output to the case.
If you decide to install the switch on the table, you will have to stick the legs on the case yourself.
When we analyze Netis PE6110, we don't expect miracles from it. Modern unmanaged switches, and even more so 100-megabit-this is 1 chip, which is also covered with a massive radiator.
Interestingly, the power supply is not just made on a separate Board, but resembles a typical industrial PSU that is simply installed here without the top cover. The total power of PoE for 8 ports in this switch is 135 W, so passive cooling for such a power supply is more than enough.
By the way, with regards to power. Please note that the total power of the PoE ports specified in the specifications is 135 W (48V, 2.8 A). At the same time, each port supports the IEEE 802.3 af standard, which provides power up to 25.5 watts. By simple multiplication, we get that the maximum load on the 8 ports of the switch exceeds its capacity by about 70% - 204 W against 135 W. In most typical situations, you don't need to think about this, since there are very few devices that require their maximum 25.5 W over PoE 802.3 af. Usually these are remote IR spotlights for cameras. The power consumption of cameras, IP phones, and access points usually does not exceed 10 watts.
Price
Of course, the main question that is raised when choosing a PoE device is the cost. Is it cheaper to buy any network switch with a PoE injector installed at the output, or use a 2-in-1 device? Let's do the math.
The retail price of Netis PE6110 is $ 120. At the same time, we get 8 ports for PoE devices, 1 port for the internal network, and 1 port, as agreed, for stacking switches.
A weak HP OfficeConnect 1420 with a total power of 65 W will cost $ 130. Most HP solutions are characterized by low power supply. The only more or less competing product is Pitec DT-PoE0908FM, which costs $ 120.
Thus, in highly specialized niches, where the density of equipment placement in the rack and high power are important, the Netis PE6110 looks quite competitive.
Conclusions
Of The entire line of 100-megabit entry-level netis PoE switches, the PE6110 model looks the most interesting at the moment. This switch has a very convenient port configuration and enough power to power surveillance cameras and powerful IR spotlights. Plus, the theoretical possibility of stacking means that with growing needs, you will not have to throw out old equipment, and you can simply buy and install another PoE switch. On all devices Netis shall be warranted for a period of 2 years.
From the point of view of cost, the purchase is justified if it is necessary to place the equipment compactly in telecommunication cabinets. The closest "branded" competitors are inferior to this switch in power and port configuration, and in General, the choice of such devices in our market is very, very limited.
Michael Degtjarev (aka LIKE OFF)
13/04.2017
