Inline Power Modules
Inline power is currently available for three switches in the Catalyst product line:
the 3524XL-PWR, the 4000 Series, and the 6000 Series.The 3524XL-PWR is a
fixed-configuration 24-port switch. It provides out-of-the-box inline power support.
An important note to make is that the 3524XL-PWR switch offers no
inline power redundancy.
The 4000 Series provides inline power through use of the Catalyst 4000
Inline power 10/100BaseT Switching module and the Power Entry Module
(PEM). Redundancy is provided to the 4006 by use of the WS-P4603 auxiliary
DC power shelf.This allows for an N+1 protection scheme protecting against a
single power supply failure. An important note to make is that the 4003 cannot
interface with the power entry module and therefore cannot utilize inline power
directly from the switch. In order for the 4003 to provide inline power, you must
use the Catalyst inline power patch panel.
The 6000 Series provides inline power by use of a 48-port switching blade.
Inline power is provided to the switch via 2500-watt power supply.Two power
supplies can be used for redundancy. Inline power modules offer a great solution
in environments where space is at a premium.
Because all of the functions are collapsed into one piece of equipment,
administration is simplified. On the down side, this solution may require a forklift
upgrade, as inline power modules are only available for the 3500, 4000, and 6000
Series, which could introduce a great deal of added expense. Even though powerredundancy
is available for these switches, you are still relying on a single point of
failure should the entire switch fail.