Many companies are looking to upgrade their existing networks to allow the use of IP phones and to allow 
network connectivity for more computers. One of the biggest obstacles to overcome before a business can see this as a reality is cost. These type of upgrades can be very time consuming, and can often interfere with productivity as particular areas are upgraded.
While some businesses may already have CAT5 cabling run and are now only looking at the cost of the hardware to make the existing wiring support the distance and number of end-points needed, others are looking at the considerable cost of completely rewiring to replace legacy copper cables. Both of these options can be costly and time consuming and may create road blocks that can keep the idea from becoming reality. Wireless is an option to overcome some obstacles, but wireless is not as flexible, easily controlled, or secure as a wired network. Wireless also does not allow PoE connectivity for IP phones.
Even if a business has existing CAT5 wiring that can be utilized and expanded, extending the network of existing CAT5 cable can impact the current infrastructure and cause issues with bandwidth and QoS. Many networks that have existing CAT5 cabling run cannot support the additional traffic that expanding would create. Businesses that want to switch to VoIP may not have the ability to run PoE over their current network, and even after upgrades to provide PoE, may still encounter issues when the network QoS is adjusted to support the VoIP services.
Fortunately, there is now an alternative to undergoing network upgrades that can be both costly and time consuming and provides solutions for QoS and PoE complications. ActivReach Ethernet, coupled with the Adtran NetVanta 1535P, allows businesses to utilize any existing wiring, even legacy copper, to provide bi-directional networking speeds of up to 100 Mbps, as well as PoE. 
ActivReach Ethernet is an economical solution for any network upgrade. Adtran NetVanta 1535P is a 24-port Gigabit Ethernet switch, which allows ActivReach Ethernet technology to more than triple the reach of traditional ethernet cabling to up to 365 meters (1200 ft), as opposed to the standard max of reach of IEEE ethernet at 100 meters (328 ft).
NetVanta 1535P also allows each port to be individually enabled or disabled to allow end-points within 100 meters to have gigabit connectivity speeds. At the same time, other ports can be set to allow end-points beyond 100 meters to utilize the ActivReach Ethernet technology to provide speeds of 10/100 Mbps or standard 10/100/1000 Base-T Ethernet. This flexibility allows for gradual upgrades to the cabling to provide gigabit connectivity as needed, without the need for purchasing new equipment in the future. ActivReach Ethernet also allows for current cabling to be split to provide multiple connections. Over certain distances, it is possible to split the individual pairs within a CAT3 or CAT5 cable to run PoE and data over each individual pair. This would allow a single uplink with PoE to become four uplinks with PoE without degrading speed capability.
ActivReach Ethernet is a smart, economical solution for nearly any network upgrades that a business could need. ActivReach Ethernet provides converged voice, data and PoE without impacting the current network. The Adtran NetVanta 1535P offers flexible control of the network, as well as support for gigabit network speeds where proper wiring is available. This allows for future upgrading to be done in small increments.
Now matter what the project, ActivReach Ethernet offers a quick, viable, less costly resolution to alternative methods. ActivReach Ethernet is the answer for any business wanting to upgrade their existing network, whether the network is currently CAT5, CAT3, or legacy voice grade copper.
