Power semiconductor supplier Microsemi Corp., has released two multiport additions to its 60 W power-over-Ethernet (PoE) midspan family. Microsemi claims that the new multiport PoE midspans are the industry's first fully IEEE 802.3at standards-compliant high-power PoE solutions to include four-pair powering and gigabit switching support.

According to the maker, the new PowerDsine 6-port PD-9506G and 12-port PD-9512G midspans deliver up to 60W of power over all four pairs of Ethernet cabling, cutting power dissipation in half when compared to conventional two-pair solutions and providing 15 percent less energy consumption. The midspans also include a gigabit interface to more easily support high-power devices such as PTZ cameras and thin clients; and implement two-event classification as specified in the IEEE 802.3at specifications for communications with connected devices.

"With this new addition to our portfolio, Microsemi now offers a wide range of options for building a 60 W PoE infrastructure from as little as one-port increments up to 12 ports at a time. Our comprehensive PD-9500 family gives network administrators the ultimate flexibility for adding a broad range of networked devices while efficiently managing power installation and consumption," said Paul Pickle, corporate vice president and general manager of Microsemi's Analog Mixed Signal Group, in a statement.

The PowerDsine 9500G family is designed specifically to power high power network devices over Ethernet cabling, eliminating the need for wiring to external AC power sources, said Microsemi. The multiport midspans also feature a proprietary power feed technology that supports all legacy PoE devices, providing the most energy efficient solution in the industry today, claims the manufacturer.

Microsemi's expanded PD-9500 family complements the company's extensive portfolio of midspan products, including managed and unmanaged products in a wide range of densities from single- to 24-port configurations. The PD-9506G/12G midspan is available in production volumes for a unit list price starting at $1,199, said Microsemi.