Mode A POE?

    The Rig Manager version referred to in this thread is ...
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    Hi

    I'm a new Kemper user and this is my first post :)

    I have a Kemper rack and remote and I'm looking to connect the remote and Kemper rack to my home network in my home studio to use the remote and the rig manager over ethernet. I'm not network literate at all.

    The manual says I need a non gigabit POE switch that must be mode A. I've been looking at fast POE switches but none of them state whether they are mode A or not.

    Is there another way to tell if they are compatible and safe? I'm in the UK.

    I'd be looking for a rackmount POE to appease my inner neat freak. Any recommendations would be great :)

    I know I can access rig manager over usb. My kemper is attached to my big pc over usb, all of which are mounted in a big rack case. I want to be able to use the kemper, remote and rig manager away from my desk, without powering up my big pc or digging around in the back of my rack case to swap USB cables each time.

    Quote from taylorphototexas

    Here is a halfway solution - remote desktop into the PC in the rack. You will have to power it on, but that is all. You can work remotely and shut it down remotely. Also no need to worry about syncing two rig managers.

    Hi.

    My main pc is part of a network of other pcs that I remote desktop into as I'm running Vienna Symphonic Libraries and there's a lot of powering on, loading and logging in etc which is time consuming and a bit of a buzz kill.

    I want to be able to also play guitar away from all that but still use my Kemper, remote and rig manager.

    (If I’m not misunderstanding you;)

    Maybe you could build an adapter? There are small devices, after all.

    I don't think you are misunderstanding me :) Im feeling very confused.

    There's a thing I need to be able to use my awesome new Kemper in a way that suits how I work.

    I'd like the thing to fit neatly and accessibly in my rack. I'm very fond of things in racks that are neat and accessible.

    I'd also quite like that thing to be able to expand somewhat should its capabilites prove to be useful elsewhere in my studio so I'm not endlessly buying cheap small things, although I am mindful of budget.

    The thing I need has no specific specs available, and if I get it wrong, my loveley, brand new remote might explode.

    I just want an affordable, rack mountable poe switch that won't make my Remote explode.

    I don't understand how its so unfathomably difficult to do.

    The issue is the lack of clear spec. requirements on what will work without exploding the remote unless I'm missing something.

    If I understand your situation correctly there appear to be two distinct questions

    1 - is the device Mode A compatible

    2 - needs to be rack mountable.

    I am not an expert in this field and find it as confusing as you but from the research I have done and the wording of the Main Manual P342 this would be my understanding:

    • From Google - Standards Compliance: The IEEE 802.3af/at/bt standards require that all compliant powered devices (PDs) must be able to accept power in both Mode A and Mode B. This means, in a standard-compliant setup, the mode generally does not matter to the end device, as it will automatically adapt to the mode used by the power sourcing equipment (PSE).
    • From Manual - PROFILER and Remotes should be connected to those ethernet sockets that provide PoE power. Supported are IEEE standard 802.3af-2003 as well as 802.3at-2009 mode A.

    From this it appears that any PoE switch that is certified 802.3.af or 802.3at must be compatible due to automatic switching determined by the “power sourcing equipment (the Remote).


    With regards to the second question you should be able to source pr make a rack mounting kit to make most devices rack mountable. Funny shaped plastic “consumer” switches should probably be avoided but network switches for office purposes in a regular rectangular metal form factor should be easy enough to make rack mountable.

    Hi


    Thanks so much for all this, it really helps.

    I can find lots of POE switches that are IEEE802.3af compliant but the manual also strongly states that gigabit devices should be avoided as they can damage the remote.

    The problem is, non gigabit or "fast" devices are very old tech and are pretty much obsolete now and the one rackmount POE switch Kemper recommends has now been discontinued due to this.

    Some of the Kemper recommended POE switches are gigabit but I can't find what makes those gigabit devices OK and others not OK.

    For example, how can I tell if this is OK or not, as it is gigabit but is 802.3af and 802.3at compliant

    https://www.scan.co.uk/products/8-port-netgear-gs108lp-gigabit-unmanaged-poe-poeplus-switch-fanless-design-60w-poe-pd

    Quote from Wheresthedug

    According to the manual users have reported that this works.


    TP-Link TL-SG1005P 5-Port Gigabit Desktop PoE Switch with 4-Port PoE+, Professional High-Power Ehernet Splitter Extender, QoS for Traffic Prioritization, Intelligent Power Management, Metal Casing https://amzn.eu/d/bWdGWG8

    Hi

    Thanks for this but I'm looking for a rackmounted solution.

    I contacted Kemper and they weren't helpful.

    I'm waiting for replies from POE switch manufacturers to try and get what I need.

    So. Day three of banging my head against a wall on this.

    I have learned some things. I know I need IEEE standard 802.3af-2003 as well as 802.3at-2009 mode A. It's good to learn things.

    I have a strong suspicion that "Mode A" is IEEE 802.3af but as im not an IT or network person I can't say for sure.

    The sticking point now is that the Kemper manual says not to use gigabit POE devices unless its one of the ones they have tested and confirmed as per the manual but the ones recommended aren't rackmount, the one that is is now unavailable for purchase as gigabit is now the standard.


    So, armed with the knowledge of the required IEE specifications, the solution to sourcing the thing I need is to figure out what gigabit specification is required by Kemper, but that information is not forthcoming.

    Anyway, I contacted Netgear but their customer support AI couldnt get its head around the issue.

    I've contacted TP-Link and given them the specs required, which includes the list of Kemper recommendations, which include TP-Link products, so hopefully they can figure out which of their rackmount gigabit POE switches will be safe for me to use, so I can order it, install it in my rack and return to enjoying playing through my loveley new Kemper from my desk or on my sofa away from my desk, blissfully switching via the remote and editing patches over ethernet.

    Perhaps Kemper could annually update their list of recommended POE devices to keep up with advances in technology. Im not asking for more devices on the list, just that the obsolete ones are replaced with an available option. Just one rackmount option would be super awesome and would save me having to try to train myself in advanced network technology just to buy a £100ish rackmount POE switch.

    I don't want to know any trade secrets, I just want to buy a rackmount thing that won't blow my remote up and then sit on my sofa playing guitar.

    Good luck. Hope NetGear are able to answer your questions.

    Quote from Machine Bohemian

    I have a strong suspicion that "Mode A" is IEEE 802.3af but as im not an IT or network person I can't say for sure.

    I can't be sure as I'm not a network techy guy either but that isn't how I read it. I read that the Protocol 802.3 af and 802.3 at are both capable of being mode A or B and most POE switches self manages required.

    I would still just go for a non-rack mount version like the link referred to in the manual and source a rack mounting kit or make something.

    Quote from Wheresthedug

    Good luck. Hope NetGear are able to answer your questions.

    I can't be sure as I'm not a network techy guy either but that isn't how I read it. I read that the Protocol 802.3 af and 802.3 at are both capable of being mode A or B and most POE switches self manages required.

    I would still just go for a non-rack mount version like the link referred to in the manual and source a rack mounting kit or make something.

    Thanks and fair enough on the mode A thing. That's the problem. I'm not an IT or network person, I'm an artist. Im groping around in the dark trying make something work without access to all of the required information.