AMX Introduces Managed Ethernet Switches

Mar 24, 2005 8:00 AM

AMX has announced the launch of two enterprise-grade Ethernet switches designed to seamlessly connect a variety of network devices and to protect the quality of MAX audio and video streams passing through the switch. The NXA-ENET24 and NXA-ENET24PoE are cost-effective, pre-configured switches that tie together all products operating on an IP network, enabling AMX dealers to simply connect the devices into the switch. No additional switch or software configuration is necessary.

The NXA-ENET24PoE managed switch from AMX features 24 auto-MDI/MDIX 10Base-T/100Base-TX ports and two combo Gigabit ports and provides a total of 370W of power.

Deploying the AMX switches, which are pre-configured to support all AMX products, enables dealers to easily connect AMX equipment, computers, network printers, game consoles, and many other network devices. In addition to serving as the single connection source for these devices, the Ethernet switches also are designed for AMX’s MAX integrated content servers. Deploying AMX’s new Ethernet switches prevents the jitter, skipped frames, and audio distortions often caused by congested IP networks, enabling clear listening and viewing of MAX audio and video.

“With AMX products being Ethernet-centric, it was important for us to create a single solution to easily integrate all devices on the network,” said Rashid Skaf, AMX executive vice president. “Our new switches provide a valuable solution for our dealers who want a cost-effective source for the seamless configuration and management of AMX and other devices. Network integration has never been easier than it is now through the deployment of the NXA-ENET24 or NXA-ENET24PoE.

“An additional benefit is the differentiated services the switches provide for our MAX product line. As network traffic increases, it is essential that IP network switches provide priority to time-sensitive applications such as audio/video streams, over less time-sensitive applications such as email and web surfing,” said Skaf. “AMX has designed these switches to automatically detect and protect A/V streams coming from MAX servers, with no special configuration required. Our goal is to ensure that both our commercial and residential customers receive the highest quality performance from their investment in MAX.”

Both switches are enterprise-class and able to support the massive amounts of data being shared on local and worldwide networks. Without either of AMX’s Ethernet switches in place, legacy hubs and other switches often consider all incoming network traffic equal in priority. The new Ethernet switches identify MAX audio and video traffic passing through the switch and give it priority over all other traffic.

The managed Ethernet switches are now available in two configurations:

The NXA-ENET24 is a managed switch with 24 auto-MDI/MDIX 10/100 Ethernet ports, two combo Gigabit ports, and two built-in stacking ports, which allow you to stack up to eight units. Numerous features provide an easy-to-configure and easy-to-manage network environment.
The NXA-ENET24PoE is a managed switch with 24 auto-MDI/MDIX 10Base-T/100Base-TX ports and two combo Gigabit ports. It provides up to 15.4W per port for a total of 370W of power, making it extremely valuable in deploying wireless access points, such as AMX’s NXA-WAP200G, and IP cameras. An automatic device detection feature allows the PoE switch to identify and automatically supply the necessary power requirements for the PoE device. To ensure safe interoperability, if the device is not PoE-capable, it will recognize it as such and not provide any power to the device.

For more information on AMX's managed ethernet switches, visit www.amx.com.