Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a technology for wired Ethernet LANs (local area networks) that allows devices such as low power CCTV cameras, access control mechanisms etc. to take their electric current directly from a CAT 5e Ethernet cable.
An increasing number of PoE compliant devices are being offered by security vendors. A number of “legacy” devices may sometime also be connected in to a PoE network, by means of a component called a picker or tap, which must be installed to remove the current from the cable. This "picked-off" current is routed to the power jack of the device.
Although the IEEE has a PoE standard called IEEE 802.3af - stipulating 48 Volts DC - in practice different equipment vendors use different PoE voltages and CAT5 pin configurations to provide the DC power. Therefore, great care must be taken in specifying.
The following weblinks provide more information:
http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/what_is_poe.php
www.poweroverethernet.com/
http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid7_gci846792,00.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_over_Ethernet
PoE is addressed during the Integrating and Specifying Security Technology session in Security Management Stage 2. A more detailed examination of this new protocol takes place during Specifying Security Technology, 21-25 July 2008. Contact Janet for details.
