Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) earlier this week announced a new implementation of PoE that delivers up to 60 watts of power over Cat 5 networking cables, or twice what is offered by the higher-powered 802.3at PoE standard. Universal Power over Ethernet, or UPOE, is currently supported on the Catalyst 4500E using a 24-port line card. The Catalyst 4500E can accommodate five of these cards for a total of 120 ports that can operate at a full 60 watts.

As reported by InformationWeek, fine-grained power distribution can be managed through Cisco's EnergyWise technology, allowing power budgets to be managed as a virtualized resource. UPOE makes it possible to power a wider range of devices using the standard Ethernet cable, opening the door to thin client devices, high-powered Wi-Fi access points and even compact networking switches. Devices that support UPOE are still thin on the ground for now, but include Samsung's NC220 integrated zero client display (pdf) and BT's Netrix turret (.pdf). Cisco will also support the standard in its Personal TelePresence System, and a generic splitter will be available later this year that will power any devices up to 60 watts. 

In a press release, Cisco says it is working with the IEEE and third-party device manufacturers on UPOE, "in order to standardize UPOE in all of their next-generation, network-enabled devices." Jeff Reed, VP of Cisco's Ethernet switching technology group, says: "We're working with standards bodies to ensure that it gets implemented."

For more:
- check out this article at InformationWeek
- check out this article at The Register
- check out this article at MarketWatch

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