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Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the net-comes-with-free-juice dept.

ReLik writes "The BBC has an article regarding power supply via networks. 'Instead of needing adapters, computer networks could soon be supplying the devices they interconnect with both data and power. Some makers of network equipment are already putting the power via data cable system into their products. The basic plugs for computer networks are the same all over the world, raising the possibility that powered data cables could become a universal back-up power supply.'" We've talked a little about specific 802.3 spec advances previously.

6 of 182 comments (clear)

  1. new? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Firewire? USB?

    1. Re:new? by RALE007 · · Score: 2, Insightful
      Don't forget power to your keyboard or mouse via DIN and Mini-DIN (ps/2) connectors, which predates Firewire and USB.

      Power through a communications (I/O) connection is nothing new, but power on a standard so widely used has never been seen. Also, firewire, USB, and my own DIN examples have provided power only to peripherals. This new system appears to offer power to a standalone device. In essence this is a new international electrical standardization. Since it is built ontop of existing compatible ethernet standards, the US, Europe, and Asia are placed under the umbrella of one universal compatible power standard.

      You may say "it's been done" and turn your attention elsewhere (yet another example of "it's already been done" is the telephone, power has been supplied to them for decades through their communications line), but it has not been done before in this international magnitude, and the possibilities are very exciting in my opinion.

      --
      Beware blue cats moving at .99c
  2. Really? by geekmetal · · Score: 5, Insightful
    The days of travelling with lots of different adapters to ensure you can recharge your laptop, phone and other gadgets could soon be at an end.

    How effective would this in a world striving to move to wireless protocols?!
    It wouldn't get the chance to make a scratch let alone a mark.

    --
    There are two kinds of egotists: 1) Those who admit it 2) The rest of us
    1. Re:Really? by El+Kevbo · · Score: 2, Insightful
      How effective would this in a world striving to move to wireless protocols?!

      Wireless is exactly where this technology is making the biggest impact. No one is thinking of charging laptops but powering wireless access points. We have to run Cat5 to our access points anyway - why not run power through that same cable?

      Kevin

  3. I hope they have some funky shielding by Trogre · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Golden rule of data cable laying:
    Avoid power cables! If you've gotta go near the buggers, cross 'em at right angles.

    --
    "Nine times out of ten, starting a fire is not the best way to solve the problem." - my wife
  4. Re:In other news the BBC by swtaarrs · · Score: 2, Insightful

    No, power over ethernet is relatively new. By saying "utilise" you make it sound like every ethernet device puts out usable power, which isn't true. I think you're thinking of phone cables, which have had power running through them for many many years, to power phones that don't have another power source.