Microchip launches a new generation PoE switch

     PoE switches designed for outdoor applications in smart buildings and smart cities support services ranging from public Wi-Fi® and video surveillance to connected street lighting, hence the increasing need for better reliability and network security protection. Microchip Technology introduced the PDS-204GCO switch, further expanding its line of PoE switches with high industry-standard outdoor protection. The PDS-204GCO switch provides enhanced network protection capabilities and the high network availability redundancy required for mission-critical applications over long distances.

     "Like our PDS-104GO switch, the PDS-204GCO meets high outdoor industry standards and is an extremely easy and safe design to install," said Iris Shuker, Director of Microchip PoE's Business Unit. It also better supports applications that collect large amounts of critical data from widely distributed POE-powered edge iot devices. It addresses the dual challenges of network security and network availability from the endpoint to the central management system."

     PoE technology enables quick and easy installation of edge iot terminals by powering a standard Ethernet infrastructure. Outdoor PoE switches connect these devices to the network and can power them in a variety of environmental conditions and monitor their status, including remote reset. Microchip's PDS-104GO switch is the first to support the industry's Ingress Protection 67 (IP67) high waterproofing rating without having to open the device during installation and without compromising safety, performance, or reliability. The PDS-204GCO switch also adds Ethernet network security features to protect applications from all network level threats and adds redundancy for high network availability.

     The PDS-204GCO provides four PoE Gigabit Ethernet ports that support IEEE 802.3bt (Type4) standard and two small pluggable (SFP) fiber links, each supporting speeds of 1 Gbps or 2.5 Gbps per second. The optical link can be used as an optical uplink port for monitoring cameras and as a redundant uplink to increase network availability. It supports ITU-T G.8032 Ethernet Ring Protected Switching (ERPS) technology, ensuring that communication can continue in the event of uplink failure. The PDS-204GCO switch also supports a variety of network topologies, and multiple devices can be connected in series using a Daisy chain topology to extend the coverage of the main central switch while reducing the amount of cable each device connects directly to it.

     The network security function of the PDS-204GCO protects the data traffic transmitted within the switch and the switch system management. Key functions to protect data transmitted within the switch include terminal device authentication and authorization, manual switch traffic policy management, and denial of service (DoS) attack prevention. Key features to protect switch management and configuration include authentication using self-signed or Certificate Authority (CA) signatures to protect network browsing, and user authentication and authorization by remote servers using RADIUS or TACACS+ security mechanisms.