Hi all,
Voice over IP (VoIP) is a technology being considered where I work (a University). We have a very large network with Cat5 outlets for data and voice, but the voice is patched back to a regular telephone system.
It would be nice to be able to connect all Cat5 outlets into an PoE-capable Ethernet switch, then simply configure each port to the voice or data VLAN. However, there are some issues that I'd like your opinions on. If a typical wiring closet has 192 outlets (and our network has LOTS of closets), and these are all patched into a PoE switch stack, then that equates to about 6KW of power requirements (rough figures from various sites). Does this mean - I need to route a major power supply to the wiring closet? - I need a colossal UPS to provide a decent amount of runtime? (By the way, regular phone systems are protected by UPSes. Anyone know how long they are meant to run in the UK? I'm assuming there's some kind of regulation) - That much power is going to generate a lot of heat. Do I need air conditioning, which itself must be protected by the UPS? - That much power represents a fire risk(?) - do I need a fire suppression system?
Suddenly a humble wiring closet needs the kind of very expensive environment previously reserved for server rooms.
Any opinions greatly appreciated.
Kind regards,
Anwar