GaN technology enables Trendnet's newest PoE switches to be more powerful and compact than ever
GaN technology is not only making power chargers smaller and more efficient, it has the same positive impact on PoE networking switches too.
#trendnet #poeswitch #gantechnology
The Trendnet 9-Port 2.5G GaN Power PoE++ Switch with 10G SFP+ Port (TPE-BG5091). Photo: Trendnet
If you’ve been mulling about upgrading to the newer 10Gbps fibre offerings available today from just about all the connectivity providers in Singapore, taking full advantage of the much, much faster speed will require that your home networking setup be able to fully accommodate the copious amount of bandwidth now available.
Chances are, you’ll be getting the router from the service provider, but if like me, you are already running a series of enterprise-grade access points (APs) throughout my home, getting a multi-gigabit ethernet switch with PoE (Power over Ethernet) is necessary.
So it was with great interest that Trendnet dropped a series of PoE++ switches featuring GaN power technology (gallium-nitride). Just like how GaN technology has enabled much more compact power supplies for things like travel adapters and mobile chargers, using GAN for ethernet switches means that you can now have switches with built-in power supplies. Given that most POE switches already generally require the use of external power bricks to accommodate their power output, this development is a game changer.
Trendnet 6-Port 2.5G GaN Power PoE++ Switch with 10G SFP+ Ports (TPE-BG5062). Photo: Trendnet
Better yet, the Trendnet switches announced, the 6-Port TPE-BG5062, has no need for any active cooling whatsoever, even with a 240W power budget. This is a side benefit of the increased power efficiency of GAN power supplies, which not only take up 40% less footprint but also generate less heat.
The 9-port TPE-BG5091 on the other hand, does need some fans for cooling, but only because this unit is specced for a whopping 480W power output, and as mentioned earlier, with absolutely no need for an external power brick. This goes a long way in simplifying the mess inside your network cabinet.
Both switches deliver up to 95W of PoE power per port, ideal for power-hungry PoE devices, such as advanced security cameras, high-power access points, digital signage, and access controls.
The two Trendnet GaN power PoE++ switches also feature 2.5G PoE++ ports—the TPE-BG5062 has 2 ports, while the TPE-BG5091 has one port). While we recommend that you use Cat 6A cable or better, you can likely get away with even Cat 6 spec cables since HDB homes generally aren’t all that big. You get 10G SFP+ ports for ultra-fast connectivity.
Pricing and availability
No word yet on local availability and pricing, but the Trendnet TPE-BG5091 and TPE-BG5062 are both available in the US and are priced at US$424.99 (~S$574) and US$289.99 (~S$392) respectively.
Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.