Product idea: rack mountable PoE injector

Hardware MikroTik hardware general
1

Hi everyone!
Just as the title says, this is a prodcut idea, for which I’m wondering quite a while, why there are so few products out there. Most available stuff comes from China and is colored in ugly green or blue (but works fine for it’s job actually), or is crazy large (>=24 ports) and thus not really practical for most home users.
I wonder if Mikrotik couldn’t fill this gap, by offering “modular” PoE injectors in a rack mountable format, somewhat similar to the CSS610, allowing to mount up to 3 in one 1HE slot. Having the injectors separate to the actual router/switch offers a lot more flexibility, especially regarding upgrade paths. Immagine one wants to upgrade a switch, but the PoE requirement didn’t actually change or vice versa, some new hardware requires PoE++ instead of the available PoE but the switch itself would still be fine. Or having bought a switch with no PoE at all, before deciding to dive into e.g. PoE enabled security cameras. Having to buy a second switch just for those might not fit everyones budget, especially as switches with PoE are quite a bit more expensive. Having some sort of flexible in-between could be quite some help.

Have a nice one!

2

Have I got good news for you! they already do an 8 port version. It comes complete with a switch as well and you’ll use half the amount of rackspace and cat5e patch cables.
https://mikrotik.com/product/crs112_8p_4s_in

3

I’m afraid you didn’t read entire OP’s post. They would like to buy a device that is cheaper than PoE switch and provides only PoE injector capabilities in rack mounted enclosure from a reputable source (in this case MikroTik) as mentioned below.


4

Exactly, I’ve changed the last sentence to be a bit more clear.

5

There are such devices available, I´m using a 4 port passive PoE inhjector + Surge Protector device. That works well for CAPac + WAPac.
Unfortunately I don´t find that particular device, but here is an 8 port variant: https://interprojekt.pl/en/p/cyberteam-ada-poe-8p-rack.html
Here is a 4 port:
https://interprojekt.pl/en/p/cyberteam-ct-adag-4p-d.html

All of them 1G passive, but I believe they would work for 2.5G as well.
I don´t think there is going to be an active PoE, as if you implement that, you can already have a switch implemented as well.

6

Those are cool! An they can be sourced from somewhere closer than China, which sounds more promising regarding warranty etc.


Them being passive only is a bummer. I don’t think that the PoE part of a switch actually exceeds the cost of the switch chip, programming and layouting work. When you compare prices for PoE and non PoE variants of Mikrotik gear, usually the ratio is close, but not 2x.

7

Active ones (802.3af/at) do exist, like:
https://www.newegg.com/p/3C6-001B-009D5?

8

I guess I’d rather see some “real” switch with more flexible PoE power options… before a modular PoE injector rack.

Right now, there is no switch in the lineup that actually support the entire range of power options (passive, 802.3a[ft][+][+]) on a per-port basis.

9

My dream would be a 2.5G HEXPoE replacement with 802.3at with external power supply and passively cooled. This would be the perfect switch for many home setups.

10

I assume it was manufactured by Cyberteam in Poland. Nice, thanks for pointing it out - I will probably order one later.


Much better quality, much better warranty terms.

11

Yes my device was manufactured in Poland, can´t remember the manufacturer. Quality is great.