High-powered Power-over-Ethernet support for multiple devices is increasingly in demand from businesses and home offices, and Zyxel Networks’ new XMG-100 series is designed to fill that need.
Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) systems – which pass electric power along with data on twisted-pair Ethernet cabling to allow a single cable to provide a data connection and enough electricity to power networked devices – are becoming increasingly demanded by businesses as more devices become networked.
To this end, Zyxel Networks has recently launched the XMG-100 series of 2.5GbE unmanaged switches. With the advent of WiFi 6 and WiFi 7, the 2.5G standard has emerged as the new baseline for Ethernet switches, so this product is a well-timed entrant into the market.
Aimed at the home and small business markets, these user-friendly, plug-and-play devices are designed to provide high throughput and high-powered PoE support for multiple devices.
Available in 5-port and 8-port versions, they provide simple set-up and fast 2.5G speed performance across all ports, making them ideal for connecting devices such as the latest WiFi 6/6E or WiFi 7 access points, IP surveillance cameras, VoIP phones, media players, and smart home devices such as LED lights and security sensors.
The XMG-100 switches also come with an additional 10G (SFP+) fibre uplink port allowing easy connection to equipment such as NAS devices and small servers for the rapid transfers of large files and video and image content.
Easy to install
Support for PoE++ allows multiple devices to be powered directly from the switch, making it easy and convenient to connect and use multiple devices in a small workplace or home. The 5-port (XMG-105HP) and 8-port (XMG-108HP) PoE models have total power budgets of 70W and 100W respectively. A non-PoE version of the 8-port switch (XMG-108) is also available.
These zero configuration switches can be installed and used with customers’ existing Cat5 cables, keeping costs down and further simplifying deployment.
Energy-saving design
A fanless design, combined with a solid metal case and efficient heat dissipation, ensures that the XMG-100 series runs silently while also saving energy. With a wide operating temperature range of -20°C to 40°C and a small form factor, the XMG-100 series can be easily placed on desktops, mounted on walls or confined spaces.
Advice for resellers
These new products offer resellers opportunities to sell into businesses. As Luke Harley, market development manager at Zyxel Networks, explains, there are several aspects resellers should look to highlight to customers.
“High network speeds without the need of changing cable when using CAT5a cables and full speed 2.5G Ethernet ports for WiFi 6/6E router or AP connections, these even come with a 10Gb SFP+ fiber port to connect to servers or when using a 10Gb copper SFP connecting to high-speed ISP routers,” he says.
“These switches are equipped with multi-gig ports supported up to 2.5G with auto-negotiation for 3-speed (100M/1G/2.5G) to optimise performance for network devices.”
Luke adds that the products are ideal for home, SOHO or small office users. “Those who need more bandwidth for their network with demands coming from online gaming activities, multimedia streaming services or faster wireless network connectivity being the likes of devices including WiFi 6/6E AP, 2.5G CPE, 2.5G NAS/Server, 4K streaming, desktop with 2.5G NIC, gaming console, VR gaming, and so on,” he says.
These products can also be upsold and added to a bundle with other products, Luke adds. “These are unmanaged products, no need of license to have the most from this product,” he says. “Resellers can use this as an unmamaged switch to connect to 2.5G PoE++ access points to get the most out of newer families of access points like WiFi 6/E or even some WiFi 7 APs.
“There is no need to bundle with software but could be sold into or with WiFi APs as a simple plug and play switch. Nearly all our newer APs. have a 2.5G interface which is supported on this switch also. Some higher end models are, including: WAX640S-5E and WAX620D-6E, WAX650S, but also the lower end NWA90AX pro and NWA50AX Pro.”
The XMG-108 is available for £139, XMG-105HP is priced at £119 and XMG-108HP at £159 including VAT.
Editor’s Verdict
With PoE becoming increasingly popular with businesses and home workers – especially those who also like to game when not at work – these sorts of systems are likely to be in great demand this year and going forward as ever-more devices become networked.
Zyxel Networks’ new XMG-100 series are an ideal addition to the market, and at a convenient price point for small businesses too. With 2.5G it means they are at the forefront of technology, which also means they should have a relatively long lifespan in the field.
Its simple plug-and-play nature will also be popular with users as it doesn’t require expertise to set up and use.
In all, it could be a useful addition to resellers’ product lists, especially those that focus on the smaller end of the market.
At-a-glance
• Provides 2.5G speeds along with 10G uplink connectivity and PoE++ capabilities
• Simple to use – plug-and-play
• Ideal for connecting devices such as WiFi 6/6E or WiFi 7 access points, VoIP phones and media players
• Runs silently
• XMG-100 series can be easily placed on desktops, mounted on walls or confined spaces
• Multiple devices to be powered directly from the switch
• 5-port (XMG-105HP) and 8-port (XMG-108HP) models have total power budgets of 70W and 100W respectively
• No licence needed
• Competitively priced.
