Siemens is expanding its Scalance XM-400 product line with a new port extender to provide even greater flexibility when configuring Industrial Ethernet networks. The PE408PoE port extender will expand the company's Scalance XM416-4C and XM408-8C Industrial Ethernet switches by adding eight RJ45 ports with PoE (Power over Ethernet) according to IEEE 802.3at Type 1 and Type 2. The new port extender will enable power to be supplied to PoE-capable devices such as WLAN access points, cameras and IP telephones via the Ethernet cable, thus avoiding the need for a separate power supply cable. Together with the other port extenders PE408 and PE400-8SFP, a maximum of 24 full-gigabit ports can be configured in one unit. Upgrading to a Layer-3 switch with routing functions is possible using the KEYPLUG XM-400 removable medium.