bintec S128p: an 8-port Fast Ethernet Switch with focus on Power-over-Ethernet, equipped with all vital layer 2 switching functions and, thus, the ideal complement to the FEC portfolio.

Today's networks consist of a multitude of diverse components. In this context, network devices, such as printers, servers, routers, or access points, are subject to the most diverse requirements in terms of their integration into the overall structure. The increasing use of IP-based phones also makes new demands. As the central component for the connection of all these components, switches are used which have to fulfill an abundance of requirements.

In addition to providing a data connection, the bintec S128p Fast Ethernet switch with Power-over-Ethernet function (PoE) offers the option of feeding PoE-capable end devices, such as access points (Funkwerk access points of the bintec  W and WI series), IP telephony (e.g. Funkwerk phones elmeg IP-S290plus, IP-S400), or cameras with power supply. Thus, the installation sites of the devices can be selected flexibly and in many cases installation costs can be reduced significantly. Power-over-Ethernet according to the standard IEEE 802.3af is fully compatible with existing Ethernet switches and network devices. Because the switch (Power Sourcing Equipment, PSE) checks whether a network device is PoE-capable, the supply voltage is only fed to PoE devices.

The bintec S1224p is equipped with 8 10/100TX ports, as well as one Gigabit DP port (copper and SFP) with 4 PoE injector ports.

If data and voice (VoIP) are to be transported over the same lines, the real-time nature of voice communication places further demands on the integration features of the individual components. It is necessary to prioritize the transfer of voice over the rest of the data traffic. This serves to reach minimum latencies in the voice channel and a high voice quality. bintec S128p supports this demand by means of Quality-of-Service-Mangement (QoS) according to IEEE 802.1p.

In many cases, the splitting up of the data traffic is desirable to fulfill increased requirements made in terms of security, efficiency, and stability of the data transfer. This is implemented by means of the VLAN technology of the funkwerk S128p according to the IEEE Standard 802.1Q.

To compensate for the failure of individual devices, it is necessary to connect switches using multiple connections, however without running the risk of dreaded "switching loops", which can paralyze the entire network. Multiple connections between switches can be reliably achieved by means of the IEEE 802.3ad LACP standard or the various Spanning Tree standards (802.1D and 802.1w) supported by the bintec S128p.