• There are no existing Ethernet Switches in place, or older Ethernet switches in place, buying new Ethernet Switches anyway (possibly for new construction)
  
  
• PoE required for End devices is all one type (generally IEEE 802.3af
  or legacy Cisco CDP style) and the installation has a large Port count
  
  
• Limited space in 19" racks to mount Midspan units (more of an issue in large scale implementations) where IP nodes are in the high hundreds or thousands
  
  
• Budget available to spend more on powered Switch PoE implementation
  
  
• Does not like or want the extra patch cords involved with connecting an Ethernet Switch to a Midspan PoE Hub
  
  
• View Midspan and Switch together as two separate potential points of failure
  
  
• Have been subjected to pressure from Ethernet Switch Manufacturer to not induce any other Network products into the network
  
  
• Corporate mandate for all Network devices to have an IP address
  
  
• Consultant or Systems Integrator has specified Endspan technology
  
  
• Do not need full power (15.4 watts) per Port, application OK with limited power per Port. Most Endspan PoE units develop only 200 watts total per 24 Ports or an average 8.3 watts per Port. This will work for powering most IP Phones but is not enough power for many other Network devices
  
  
• End User views this as "easy way" to implement PoE, somehow requiring
  less work than an installation using Midspan Hubs
  
  

Here's why other End Users make the choice for a Midspan PoE Hub

These are some of the reasons why other End Users ultimately choose Midspan PoE Hubs or Injectors for their Networks:

• Have new or newer existing Ethernet switches in place, buying new Ethernet Switches just to get the PoE function would be a waste of resources both in the actual dollars for purchase and the man hours of set-up time to customize the Switch for End User's network
  
  
• PoE required for the End devices is of mixed types because of different requirements for different brands and models of powered End devices
  
  
• No limitation on rack space to mount the actual Midspan PoE hubs
  
  
• Lower Budget, overall dollars spent are far less with Midspan PoE implementation compared to purchase of powered Switches
  
  
• Is fine with patch cord connectivity between Switch and Midspan Hub
  
  
• Consultant or Systems Integrator has specified Midspan technology
  
  
• View PoE enabled Switch as a single point of failure and want to separate the two functions so that repairability is maintained should one function or the other experience failure
  
  
• Not subject to pressure from Switch Manufacturer against introduction of other products into the Network
  
  
• End User views this as "easy way" to implement PoE, requiring less work than implementing new Switches with all of their programming and set-up
  

In addition, here are some unique additional reasons why many End Users choose LAN Power Systems Midspan PoE Hubs

• Want modularity by Multi Port module to lessen impact of power incident or be able to add support for more End device Port connections in the future
  
  
• Want Hot-swap ability of Multi Port modules in and out of chassis
  
  
• Want built in support from day one for Gigabit Ethernet speeds as well as Ethernet and Fast Ethernet data transmission speeds
  
  
• Want options for Higher Power modules, up to 36 watts per Port on all Ports simultaneously if necessary for emerging End devices
  
  
• Want ability to intermix module styles within a single chassis to support different PoE requirements from single wiring closet
  
  
• Want options for non-standard voltages like 24v, 12v and 5v End devices
  
  
• The User's application demands full power per Port at all times on all module Ports simultaneously.
  
  
• Want the simplicity of Full Power per Port to eliminate required "Power Management" Software found on both Endspan and most other Midspans
  
  
• Want Single Port Power Injectors to support a single End device if needed
  
  
• Want 8 Port workgroup Power hubs to support small groups of End devices
  
  
• Want hot swapability by multi Port module in case of a power fault condition, do not want to remove PoE hub or powered switch and ship somewhere for repair, want to do repair in short amount of time on-site or in-house
  
  
• Want a longer warranty period. LAN Power products come with full 2 year warranty included vs. most Endspan products come with warranties ranging from 90 days to 1 year.

Conclusion

The marketplace for both Endspan and Midspan PoE is healthy and will continue to grow in future years. This growth is based partly on a wide range of additional new products coming which will be powerable via PoE technology. Many of these devices will be better suited to Midspan powering due to variances in voltage or wattage requirements or the smaller number of units required on the End User's Network. LAN Power Systems, as a major technology innovator in the PoE market, is committed to long-term participation and continual development of new Midspan PoE products which incorporate the key elements of Flexibility, Simplicity and Value.