Pakedge Releases Smaller, Simpler Networking System With PoE

New entry-level AV networking bundles from Pakedge include router, switch, WAP, power distribution and PoE switches.

Julie Jacobson

Pakedge has built a successful business in the custom electronics industry with high-performance IP networking gear for the most demanding applications.

But even those who demand robust and secure networks don’t necessarily need the biggest systems or the most advanced feature set.

For those customers, Pakedge has launched a few value-priced bundles that feature the same security, scalability, reliability and “precise bandwidth control” as the company’s staple products, but without some of the bells and whistles.

“This is for networks that aren’t so complex, like they don’t require VLANS,” says Benson Chan, VP business development. “For a long time our router has been the Ferrari. For a lot of [clients], it’s too much power.”

Related: Pakedge Software Visualization Simplifies Remote Networking

Chan suggests the new solutions are ideal for businesses looking to upgrade from a basic router, but demand the “same support, same warranty and same dealer service” as the rest of Pakedge’s products.

Anchoring the new packages is the brand new RE-1 four-port gigabit router optimized for media streaming and sharing. The rest of the items are time-tested Pakedge devices. The standard kit retails for less than $2,000. It includes:

  • RE-1 4-port gigabit media router
  • S8Wpde 8-port gigabit unmanaged switch
  • P8 8-outlet Intelligent Power Distribution Unit
  • W6 2.4 GHz high power, high throughput wireless access point (upgradeable to W7 2.4/5.0 GHz dual band AP)
  • PI-04 PoE power injector

The step-up kit for “Power Users” ($2,200) replaces the unmanaged switch with the S8Mpdp, a managed switch with Pakedge’s TruStream quality-of-service (QoS) feature for prioritizing data streams. With both kits the W6 wireless access point can be substituted with the dual-band W7 version for about $200 more.

Pakedge’s new switches also include Power over Ethernet (PoE) pass-through. The switches themselves are powered through a single Cat 5 cable, but they also can pass power through to connected IP devices, eliminating the need for AC wiring at a component location.

Related: Can You Really Future-Proof an IP Network?

Even where AC power is available, such as by a TV, the PoE pass-through switches can free up precious outlets required for other devices. Imagine placing one of these Ethernet-powered switches in a tight space behind a TV. A PoE camera and/or streaming device could in turn be powered by the switch without the need for bulky transformers.

Traditionally, users would have to run unsightly extension cords to each device, or hire an electrician to run wires to the desired location. PoE injectors could be used, but they aren’t cost effective when there are multiple edge devices to power. Furthermore, the injectors require multiple dedicated electrical outlets elsewhere.

PoE pass-through is available on the SE-5P2-EP and SE-8P2-EP, Pakedge’s new unmanaged five- and eight-port Gigabit switches with one input powered by PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at) from a remote PoE+ switch, and two ports delivering power (15W each) to connected PoE (IEEE 802.3af) devices.

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