Tech Focus
ProCurve switches pack power
 The CRN Test Center evaluates the 2520G-8 PoE switch, which can power and network as many as eight devices at a maximum speed of 1Gbps on each device
By Edward J Correia
Standardized in 2003, Power over Ethernet (PoE) has been a boon to resellers of telephony, video surveillance, thin clients, wireless access points, kiosks and other embedded systems because it
eliminates the need for AC power at the device, reducing cabling costs, clutter and complexity. Hewlett-Packard added to this mature field in November with its 2520 PoE switches, a versatile line of 10/100/1000 managed switches available in 8 and 24-port configurations. All include ports for gigabit copper or fiber and can mount on a standard 19-inch equipment rack, wall or equipment shelf.
The CRN Test Center evaluated the 2520G-8 PoE switch, which can power and network as many as eight devices at a maximum speed of 1Gbps on each device. Also on board are two dual personality ports, which can act as a ninth and tenth 10/100/1000 (unpowered) port, can bridge to two optical fiber networks through an optional HP small form pluggable (SFP) module or a gigabit interface converter (GBIC). It can also bridge one of each. Units without a G in the model number also offer these ports, but PoE ports support only 10/100 Ethernet. All RJ-45 ports in the series are auto-sensing for speed and include automatic medium dependent interface crossover (MDIX) capability, automatically detecting whether connected to a computer, router or another switch, for example.
Speeds and feeds
Total throughput of the 2520G is rated at 20Gbps, or 14.8 million packets per second, more than enough to handle all ports at maximum. But its latency rating is relatively high at 5.9-microseconds; other models in the series came in at 1.9. Still, this level of lag isn’t a problem for the 2520’s intended applications. The 8-port units measure 10x6.25x1.75-inch. The 24-port units are about 9.7x17.4x1.75-inch.
After running for a few days with two IP phones attached, the fanless unit kept its relative cool, topping out at around 94 degrees near an exhaust vent. Other areas remained near room temperature. When cycling through its 55-second power-on self-test, the 2520 drew between 7W and 10W, settling in at 8Ws once it stabilized. Power consumption increased by 4W to 5W for each IP phone that was plugged in, about average for such devices. But resellers installing wireless access points or video cameras—which can consume anywhere from 15W to 24W each—need to be wary of the unit’s 67W maximum combined rating for PoE, which averages 8.375W per PoE port. According to Steve Brar, Product Manager, HP ProCurve, that lives up to the 802.3af standard, which specifies support for 15.4 watts-per-port, but not on all at the same time. Maximum power rating for the unit overall is 86W, making it the best suited for installation that involves only low-draw PoE devices, or a minimal number of high-draw ones.
Management software
ProCurve Manager consists of four Java-based server modules. The Test Center looked at ProCurve Manager 3.10, released in January, which delivers numerous improvements to the GUI application’s look and feel, feature set and integration with other HP tools, including HP’s Network Node Manager. Though still not compatible with Windows 7, PCM 3.10 now runs on 64-bit Windows Server Enterprise/ Standard, as well as Server 2003 and XP.
The PCM client now runs on 64-bit Windows Vista Business/Ultimate SP1, and the remote agent is now supported on 64-bit Windows 2008 Server Enterprise/Standard Edition and HP’s One zl Module security appliance.
The PCM Server is all that’s needed if you’re managing just wired devices. Other modules provide management, monitoring and deployment capabilities for mobile devices, and network security through threat detection, and RADIUS and Active Directory authentication. The ProCurve units also can be managed via SNMP or from a command line. The identity Manager is now supported on Microsoft’s 64-bit Internet Authentication Service (IAS) on Windows 2003 and Network Policy Server on Windows Server 2008 (32/64-bit).
Available now, the ProCurve 2520G-8 PoE as tested carries a list price of $999, including a lifetime warranty. |