Power supply problems during migration to VoIP

When enterprises integrate data centers and voice technology, they may consider meeting the environmental conditions required for the operation of new devices in advance. However, when enterprises switch from a TDM-based phone to an IP phone, meeting the needs of the wiring room environment is often ignored.

When deploying an IP phone to a desktop, users will soon face the same problems as local broadband providers. These problems may cause the system to fail to run normally, or cause higher costs. The main problem is how to supply power to a large number of system terminal devices. As the user's VoIP deployment process advances, the need to increase the power output to the wiring room to support PoE and to add cooling systems required to prevent equipment overheating will be a problem that users have to face.

Power Supply Problems

Most desktop UPS provide limited power cleaning, but may delay switching during power failure, which may interrupt the latency-sensitive VoIP transmission stream.

In addition, more UPS factors need to be considered for institutions with their own generators, such as hospitals, schools and public security facilities. At present, most generators issue so-called "dirty electricity", that is, the voltage may fluctuate and unstable power. There is no relationship between mechanical equipment, such as elevators. However, this may cause problems for power-sensitive devices such as electronic devices. In extreme cases, such as using an Ethernet switch, this may cause packet loss. On a VoIP device, this may also cause noise and interference on the connection.

Vswitches will be able to provide better power management and distribution functions. PowerDsine is a supplier that provides PoE components to LAN switch manufacturers. "It depends on the number of ports and the power management technology used in the switch," said Heldman, vice president of product management of the company ." The typical Switch Power is 70 to 100 watts. Depending on the implementation method, the power of the PoE switch may increase by 200 to 700 watts. Heldman says if the PoE switch provides 300 watts of power and is 75% efficient, it equals to an additional 360 BTU (UK thermal unit) of heat per hour, the heat must be distributed to the Communication Wiring room.

Consider Heat Dissipation

If you deploy PoE devices that are installed and widely distributed for IP phones or Wi-Fi access points, you will find that these devices consume more power and PoE will generate additional heat, this is a factor that must be considered.

Experts say this is a simple concept: Where an electronic device is available, electricity is needed, and electricity produces heat. Increase the current, and the device will become hotter. With the deployment of PoE, the heat load of telecom equipment is transferred from centralized telephone cabinets or electrical cabinets to the LAN distribution layer. "If you have thousands of telephones and multiple PoE switches, these devices can increase energy consumption by two to three times," said Story, an enterprise power expert at CDW ." In the past, most enterprises generally only used key air-conditioning systems for telephone and server rooms. Currently, companies that migrate to VoIP and PoE technologies must consider cooling requirements for each cabinet and other corner where a LAN switch may be installed. If a large number of PoE switches replace older LAN devices, cooling and cooling will not only be a problem, but must also be considered to increase power supply to the wiring room.

1. Details that cannot be ignored during VoIP migration
2. How the IT Department prepares for VoIP deployment