INTRODUCTION

   We live in dangerous times, i am sure that no one can really deny that so it goes without saying that we need to take extra steps to ensure the safety of both our loved ones and everything we own. This is partially as to why I’ve been testing various security devices during the past 5 years including IP cameras and motion sensors (the 2nd is more of a hobby to me). However setting up a security grid made out of several IP cameras around your house and/or your office is a lot more complicated than many seem to think and so today we are going to see how an 8-port 10/100Mbps PoE Switch like the TPE-PS44 by TRENDnet can aid you with that.

   TRENDnet is a global provider of award winning networking solutions to small and medium size business and home users. Building networking solutions since 1990, TRENDnet enables users to share broadband access, multimedia content and networked peripherals for true anywhere connectivity. TRENDnet's diverse product line includes Wireless, Fiber, Switch, Gigabit, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Keyboard/Video/Mouse (KVM), Internet Camera, Print Server, Powerline, Bluetooth, Storage Server, Power over Ethernet (PoE), and Multimedia Accessories. Based in Torrance, California, TRENDnet maintains branch offices in Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Central America, South America, and Asia. TRENDnet’s management system is ISO 9001:2008 certified (click here to view certificate). TRENDnet emphasizes continual improvement as an essential component of its quality management system. This ensures rigorous process standards across the entire organization with respect product development, product quality and all other pertinent enterprise functions. TRENDnet's 250-plus product portfolio is distributed in over 125 countries. The TRENDnet brand is consistently recognized for high quality, exceptional performance and professional support.

   PoE stands for "Power over Ethernet", a standard which was developed mainly for enterprise use roughly 10 years ago. Long story short the PoE standard/protocol allows both electrical power and data to pass through the same CAT5/6 (CAT3/4 are also compatible but support less power) Ethernet cable making it ideal for use in places without a power plug (generally without a power grid). As expected however 10 years ago this technology (much like everything new) was extremely expensive and thus not ment for consumer use but after so long prices have dropped dramatically making both PoE compatible IP Cameras and switches affordable. Of course with the wide use of Gigabit (1000Mbps) compatible network devices currently a 10/100Mbps switch like the TPE-S44 should only be used to power your IP cameras via PoE and that's what this review is pretty much all about.