Cisco Catalyst Digital Building Series Switch Efficiency ... · Series switch can act as an element...

Cisco Catalyst Digital Building Series Switch

Efficiency Validation Testing

October 2017

DR170816C

Miercom.com

www.miercom.com

Cisco Catalyst Digital Building Series 2 DR170816C

Copyright ©2017 Miercom 16 October 2017

Contents

1.0 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................... 3

2.0 Product Overview ................................................................................................................................... 4

3.0 How We Did It ......................................................................................................................................... 6

4.0 Power Efficiency .................................................................................................................................... 10

5.0 Power Factor .......................................................................................................................................... 12

6.0 Total Harmonic Distortion ................................................................................................................ 14

7.0 Standby and Startup PoE Behavior ................................................................................................ 16

8.0 Heat Dissipation ................................................................................................................................... 18

9.0 Time to Power ....................................................................................................................................... 20

About Miercom ............................................................................................................................................ 21

Customer Use and Evaluation ................................................................................................................ 21

Use of This Report ...................................................................................................................................... 21

Appendix ........................................................................................................................................................ 22



1.0 Executive Summary

Ethernet cabling can transfer both data and power to network devices like Voice over IP (VoIP)

and wireless access points. From the introduction of smart appliances and other Internet-aware

devices, such as LED lighting and thermostats, a demand was created for coherent power

efficiency in digital business environments. Centralized power control and management of

network and physical end points aims to produce such high efficiency using Ethernet and switch

technology.

Cisco engaged Miercom for an independent evaluation of their Catalyst Digital Building Series

switch. These switches offer Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) and the Cisco-standard Universal PoE

(UPOE), which supplies double the power of PoE. Each switch was tested for power efficiency,

power factor, total harmonic distortion, standby and startup behavior, heat dissipation and

time-to-power.

Key Findings

Less than 6.5 seconds between power up and power to all ports

Standby power consumption under 4 W for both switches

Idle power consumption below 6 W (PoE+) and 8 W (UPOE)

More than 88 percent PoE+ efficiency for 50 percent or higher voltage load

Greater than 90 percent UPOE efficiency for 50 percent or higher voltage load

Total harmonic distortion minimized to as little as 7 percent, allowing for

higher quality power distribution

Robust design offers effective operation over a large temperature

range, from -5 to 50°C

Based on results of our testing, the Cisco Catalyst

Digital Building Switch Series for PoE+ and UPOE

displayed high power efficiency, power factor and

quality, earning it the Miercom Certified Green award.

Robert Smithers

CEO

Miercom



2.0 Product Overview

The digital transformation of businesses using enhanced efficiency solutions has been a costly

one. Subsystems such as lighting, HVAC and security, require centralized control and power for

optimized energy flow and connectivity. The Cisco Catalyst Digital Building Switch is a Power

over Ethernet (PoE) and Universal PoE (UPOE) device for connecting diverse systems into a

singularly managed environment.

Cisco Catalyst Digital Building Series Switch

Firmware version: Rev. 30 (PoE+ and UPOE)

This switch was built with the intent of efficiently

powering digital building systems, such as LED

lighting. It goes beyond Internet of Things (IoT)

switches, offering power efficiency, reliability,

management, security and flexibility.

Hardware and Flexibility

Silent operation with fanless design

8 fast Ethernet ports and 2 gigabit copper uplink ports

Available in PoE+ and UPOE models

Rack, electrical cabinet or in-ceiling mounting options

Direct wire or IEC plug powering options

Power and Reliability

PoE+ offers 30 W of power per port, supporting up to 240 W

UPOE offers 60 W of power per port, supporting up to 480 W

Perpetual UPOE supplies continuous power to subsystems, even during upgrades,

reboots and configuration changes

Fast UPOE provides restoration of PoE and UPOE within 6.5 seconds of power failure

90 percent or more power efficiency above 70 percent maximum PoE load and 50

percent maximum UPOE load

Hibernation and idle mode



Control and Management

Cisco Configuration Professional for Catalyst web user interface

Automatic deployment using either APIC-EM or Network Plug-n-Play solutions

Firmware control available on and offline

Bluetooth integration

Network management using Cisco Prime Infrastructure, Cisco Network Assisstant and

Cisco Active Advisor

Cisco Energy Management suite for full control and visibility

Security and Defense

Supports IPv6, LACP, DHCP, Cisco VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP), remote monitoring,

LLDP and LDDP-MED identification protocols

Functions as IoT protocol, CoAP Proxy, for analytic services

Authentication and secure boot capabilities

Port-based access control lists

In conjunction with a Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series switch, the Catalyst Digital Building

Series switch can act as an element of Cisco’s Network as a Sensor (NaaS) and Network

as an Enforcer (NaaE) solutions to provide deep visibility, intelligence, and role-based

enforcement to reduce attack surface and isolate threats



3.0 How We Did It

Miercom used hands-on testing designed to simulate a real-world business network

environment in order to provide a robust, realistic assessment of the products’ capabilities,

efficiency and effectiveness. The fundamental aspect of the methodology was to create a test

framework for validating the power efficiency.

Test Tools

Reach TR-PoE4N Power over Ethernet Tester (Supports IEEE 802.3af/at/UPOE/PoE++)

Tektronix MSO4104 Oscilloscope

Yokagawa Power Meter WT310E

Tektronix TCP303 Current Probe

Tektronix TCPA300 Current Amplifier 5A/V

1000 Series Test Equity Temperature Chamber

Chroma ATE 6460 Power Supply

A terminal server was used to collect data and control test tools.

Tests

1. Power efficiency

2. Power factor

3. Total harmonic distortion

4. Standby and idle mode power consumption

5. Heat dissipation

6. Time to Power



Data from tests 1 through 5 were collected using a single scripted test series, shown below, for

different combinations of three temperatures in degrees Celsius (°C) and three voltages (V).

Temperatures (°C) Voltages (V)

-5 115

25 230

50 277

Test Series Script

This test series process was used for tests 1 through 5 with different combinations of temperatures

and voltages to determine the effect of these variables on PoE performance.

Source: Miercom Certified Test Review



Before the test series was run, the environmental test bed chamber was set to the first of three

temperatures. Once the chamber was within one degree of the desired temperature, it remained

constant for 45 minutes. The input voltage was set to the first of three voltages, and the switch

was put into standby mode. During this time, the terminal server queried all measurements for a

total of ten times and power cycled the switches to exit standby mode.

The switch was then pushed into idle mode, powered on without any load. The terminal server

repeated the series for ten iterations, and the Reach PoE tester was set to 10 percent load.

Another series of tests were measured. This process was repeated while the PoE tested cycled

through loads in 10 percent increments until 100 percent load was reached.

The input voltage was changed, and the measurement process was completed. After cycling

through all voltages, the temperature chamber was set to the next value. The test bed soaked in

this temperature for 45 minutes as before, and each measurement series was repeated for the

three voltages. To ensure accurate measurement, the current probes were manually degaussed

and balanced during each soak period to eliminate remnants of magnetic fields.

Test 6 was measured using an oscilloscope to determine the time difference between power up

and PoE power on all ports.



Test Bed Diagram

Voltage Fluke DMM

8845A

Chroma ATE 6460

Power Supply

Yokogawa

Power Meter

Cisco Catalyst Digital

Building Switch

Oscilloscope

Current

Probe/Amplifier

Reach Technology

PoE Tester

Terminal Server

Test Equity 1000 Series

Temperature Chamber




4.0 Power Efficiency

Description

The efficiency was calculated for each load in increments of 10 percent between 0 and 100

percent, at a temperature of -5, 25, and 50°C. The power efficiency of the Cisco Catalyst PoE+

and UPOE switches were measured and calculated as:

η = 100 ∙ ( 𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑃𝑖𝑛 )⁄

This test was repeated three times for AC input voltages of 115, 230, and 277 volts. The charts

below are displayed by separate temperature in the Appendix.

Results

The minimum PoE+ switch efficiency at each voltage and temperature, across the full range of

loads, was observed and recorded. Efficiency increased significantly for higher voltages and higher

temperatures as 10 to 40 percent voltage loads were applied. For any voltage-temperature

combination with a 65 percent or higher voltage load, efficiency was at least 90 percent.

70

75

80

85

90

95

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Po

we

r Ef

fici

en

cy (

Pe

rce

nta

ge)

Voltage Load (Percentage)

Cisco Digital Building Series Switch PoE+ Power Efficiency at -5°C, 25°C, 50°C

115 V, -5°C

230 V, -5°C

277 V, -5°C

115 V, 25°C

230 V, 25°C

277 V, 25°C

115 V, 50°C

230 V, 50°C

277 V, 50°C




The minimum UPOE switch efficiency at each voltage and temperature, across the full range of

loads, was observed and recorded. Like PoE+ switches, efficiency increased sharply for higher

voltages and higher temperatures as 10 to 30 percent voltage loads were applied. For any

voltage-temperature combination with a 40 percent or higher voltage load, efficiency was at least

90 percent.

78

80

82

84

86

88

90

92

94

96

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Po

we

r Ef

fici

en

cy (

Pe

rce

nta

ge)


Cisco Digital Building Series Switch UPOE Power Efficiency at -5°C, 25°C, 50°C

115 V, -5°C

230 V, -5°C

277 V, -5°C

115 V, 25°C

230 V, 25°C

277 V, 25°C

115 V, 50°C

230 V, 50°C

277 V, 50°C




5.0 Power Factor

Description

The power factor is the ratio, in percent, of power delivered for its intended purpose. This ratio

compares real power and reactive, unused power. A low power factor can decrease system life

and possibly result in higher rates from electrical providers.

The power factor was measured for each load in increments of 10 percent, from 0 percent to

100 percent. The power factor was measured using the Yokogawa power meter.

This test was repeated three times at AC input voltages of 115, 230, and 277 volts. The minimum

power factor recorded for each load at each input voltage is shown below.

Results

The power factor for PoE+ was measured for three voltages. As expected, the lowest voltage experienced

the highest power factor, and the highest voltage had the lowest power factor due to its large variation in

real and reactive power. When at least 55 percent of the load was applied, all voltages had a power factor

of at least 90 percent.

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Po

we

r Fa

cto

r (%

)

Voltage Load (%)

Cisco Digital Building Series Switch PoE+ AC Power Factor

115 Volts

230 Volts

277 Volts




The power factor for UPOE was measured for three voltages. As expected, the lowest voltage saw the

highest power factor, and the highest voltage had the lowest power factor due to its large variation in real

and reactive power. When at least 50 percent of the load was applied, all voltages had a power factor of

at least 90 percent.

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Po

we

r Fa

cto

r (%

)

Voltage Load (%)

Cisco Digital Building Series Switch UPOE AC Power Factor

115 Volts

230 Volts

277 Volts




6.0 Total Harmonic Distortion

Description

The total harmonic distortion is a ratio of harmonic power to fundamental power, where

harmonic components are signal nonlinearities which cause distortion. The lower the harmonic

distortion, the higher quality of power is observed.

The total harmonic distortion in the current was measured for a voltage load range incremented

by 10 percent from 0 percent to 100 percent. The total harmonic distortion of the PoE+ and

UPOE switches were measured using the Yokogawa power meter.

This test was repeated three times at AC input voltages of 115, 230, and 277 volts. The maximum

total harmonic distortion recorded for each load at each input voltage is shown below.

Results

Lower total harmonic distortion implies a higher power factor, and as seen in the previous test the lower

voltage had a higher power factor. The total harmonic distortion was expectedly low for the lowest PoE+

voltage and highest for the highest PoE+ voltage.

5

10

15

20

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Tota

l Har

dm

on

ic D

istr

oti

on

(%

)

Voltage Load (%)

Cisco Digital Building Series Switch PoE+ Total Harmonic Distortion

115 Volts

230 Volts

277 Volts




Lower total harmonic distortion means a higher power factor, and as seen in the previous test the lower

voltage had a higher power factor. The total harmonic distortion was expectedly low for the lowest

UPOE voltage.

6

8

10

12

14

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Tota

l Har

dm

on

ic D

istr

oti

on

(%

)

Voltage Load (%)

Cisco Digital Building Series Switch UPOE Total Harmonic Distortion

115 Volts

230 Volts

277 Volts




7.0 Standby and Startup PoE Behavior

Description

The maximum power consumption in Watts (W) at each voltage level for standby mode

and idle mode are shown below. The power consumption was measured using the Yokogawa

power meter.

Results

The maximum PoE+ power consumption was measured for three voltages. In standby mode, higher

voltages consumed more power but remained below 3.5 W. In idle mode, the highest voltage

consumed the least power. It remained below 6 W and may be a result of its high power efficiency.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Standby Idle

Po

we

r C

on

sum

pti

on

(W

)

Power Mode

Cisco Digital Building Series Switch PoE+ Power Consumption

115 V

230 V

277 V




The maximum UPOE power consumption was measured for three voltages. In standby mode, higher

voltages consumed more power, remaining below 4 W. In idle mode, the highest voltage consumed

the least power. It remained below 8 W and may be a result of its high power efficiency.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Standby Idle

Po

we

r C

on

sum

pti

on

(W

)

Power Mode

Cisco Digital Building Series Switch UPOE Power Consumption

115 V

230 V

277 V




8.0 Heat Dissipation

Description

The heat output of the switch is estimated using calculations based on power, voltage and

current and converted to the rate of British Thermal Units per hour (BTU/hr). Heat output is

calcuated over a range of loads increasing in increments of 10 percent, from 0 percent to 100

percent. The heat dissipation of the Cisco Catalyst PoE+ and UPOE switches is conservatively

calculated based on the assumption that all power lost is converted to heat in the switch.

The heat output is calculated as follows:

𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 = (𝑃𝑖𝑛 − 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 ∗ 𝐼𝑜𝑢𝑡)

This output is converted to BTU/hr, where 1 W equals 3.412 BTU/hr. This test was repeated three

times at AC input voltages of 115, 230, and 277 volts. The maximum heat output calculated for

each load at each input voltage is shown below.

Results

The PoE+ maximum heat dissipation for each voltage was calculated for a range of loads of

different voltages. The highest voltage of 277 volts had the least dissipation as loads were applied

and the most linear progression. The modest slope indicated that heat dissipation was gradual and

power was not immediately wasted.

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

80

85

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

He

at O

utp

ut

(BTU

/hr)

Voltage Load (%)

Cisco Digital Building Series Switch PoE+ Heat Dissipation

115 Volts

230 Volts

277 Volts




The UPOE maximum heat dissipation for each voltage was calculated for a range of loads of

different voltages. The highest voltage of 277 volts had the least dissipation as loads were applied

and the most linear progression. UPOE had higher amounts of dissipation, with its maximum for

115 volts at 145 BTU/hr, whereas PoE+at 115 volts only reached 77 BTU/hr. Since there was no

sharp increase in heat dissipation, there was not a significant amount of unused power until the

higher loads were applied.

25

35

45

55

65

75

85

95

105

115

125

135

145

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

He

at O

utp

ut

(BTU

/hr)

Voltage Load (%)

Cisco Digital Building Series Switch UPOE Heat Dissipation

115 Volts

230 Volts

277 Volts




9.0 Time to Power

Description

The time to PoE power was measured using the Tektronix oscilloscope. The time between the

start of AC power in and the eighth current spike is reported as the time to power. The eighth

current spike indicated the time at which the last port received power. The figure below shows a

screen capture from the oscilloscope, depicting a typical power-on current signal. All results for

this test were captured at room temperature of about 21°C.

This oscilloscope measurement was taken the moment the switch

powered on and stopped when the PoE ports were powered on.

Results

PoE+ UPOE

Voltage (V) Time to Last Port (s) Voltage (V) Time to Last Port (s)

115 6.38 115 6.42

230 6.39 230 6.41

277 6.19 277 6.23

Voltages were tested three times, and the resulting times are the average time to power observed for

the PoE+ and UPOE switch. For both PoE+ and UPOE, the time to power had decreased as voltage

was increased, providing power in less than 6.5 seconds.



About Miercom

Miercom has published hundreds of network product analyses in leading trade periodicals and

other publications. Miercom’s reputation as the leading, independent product test center is

undisputed. Private test services available from Miercom include competitive product analyses,

as well as individual product evaluations. Miercom features comprehensive certification and test

programs including: Certified Interoperable, Certified Reliable, Certified Secure and Certified

Green. Products may also be evaluated under the Performance Verified program, the industry’s

most thorough and trusted assessment for product usability and performance.

Customer Use and Evaluation

We encourage customers to do their own product trials, as tests are based on the

average environment and do not reflect every possible deployment scenario. We offer

consulting services and engineering assistance for any customer who wishes to perform an

on-site evaluation.

Use of This Report

Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of the data contained in this report but errors

and/or oversights can occur. The information documented in this report may also rely on various

test tools, the accuracy of which is beyond our control. Furthermore, the document relies on

certain representations by the vendors that were reasonably verified by Miercom but beyond

our control to verify to 100 percent certainty.

This document is provided “as is,” by Miercom and gives no warranty, representation or

undertaking, whether express or implied, and accepts no legal responsibility, whether direct or

indirect, for the accuracy, completeness, usefulness or suitability of any information contained in

this report.

All trademarks used in the document are owned by their respective owners. You agree not

to use any trademark in or as the whole or part of your own trademarks in connection with

any activities, products or services which are not ours, or in a manner which may be

confusing, misleading or deceptive or in a manner that disparages us or our information,

projects or developments

© 2017 Miercom. All Rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, photocopied, stored on a retrieval system, or

transmitted without the express written consent of the authors. Please email [email protected] for additional information.



Appendix

1. Power Efficiency by temperature

i. PoE+

70

75

80

85

90

95

100

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Po

we

r Ef

fici

en

cy (

Pe

rce

nta

ge)


Cisco Digital Building Series Switch PoE+ Power Efficiency at -5°C

115 Volts

230 Volts

277 Volts


70

75

80

85

90

95

100

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Po

we

r Ef

fici

en

cy (

Pe

rce

nta

ge)


Cisco Digital Building Series Switch PoE+ Power Efficiency at 25°C

115 Volts

230 Volts

277 Volts


70

75

80

85

90

95

100

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Po

we

r Ef

fici

en

cy (

Pe

rce

nta

ge)


Cisco Digital Building Series Switch PoE+ Power Efficiency at 50°C

115 Volts

230 Volts

277 Volts




ii. UPOE

75

80

85

90

95

100

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Po

we

r Ef

fici

en

cy (

Pe

rce

nta

ge)


Cisco Digital Building Series Switch UPOE Power Efficiency at -5°C

115 Volts

230 Volts

277 Volts


80

84

88

92

96

100

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Po

we

r Ef

fici

en

cy (

Pe

rce

nta

ge)


Cisco Digital Building Series Switch UPOE Power Efficiency at 25°C

115 Volts

230 Volts

277 Volts


80

84

88

92

96

100

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Po

we

r Ef

fici

en

cy (

Pe

rce

nta

ge)


Cisco Digital Building Series Switch UPOE Power Efficiency at 50°C

115 Volts

230 Volts

277 Volts


Cisco Catalyst Digital Building Series Switch Efficiency ... · Series switch can act as an element...

Documents

Transcript of Cisco Catalyst Digital Building Series Switch Efficiency ... · Series switch can act as an element...