Quick Answer: What replaced EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE?
Discontinued: EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE | Replacement: EKI-2706G-1GFPI-BE
Why B+B SMARTWORX Discontinued the EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE
The B+B SMARTWORX EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE is fully discontinued and no longer available for purchase. Research confirms that Advantech, which absorbed the B+B SmartWorx product line, issued an official end-of-life notice listing EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE as phased out and obsolete. The stated reason was specific component obsolescence: the PoE IC used in the product was phased out.
For buyers managing installed industrial Ethernet infrastructure, the key point is that EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE did not leave the market because of a broad platform redesign or a change in application fit. Instead, the discontinuation was driven by supply-chain and component lifecycle constraints. The EOL process was announced on 2021-12-01, with a sales feedback deadline of 2022-10-15. After 2022-10-15, EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE moved into full end-of-life status.
If your documentation, BOMs, or approved vendor lists still reference EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE, those records should be updated. The official replacement named in the manufacturer notice is EKI-2706G-1GFPI-BE. This gives procurement teams a clear path forward when standardizing spare stock or planning refresh cycles for networks that previously used EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE.
What's New in the EKI-2706G-1GFPI-BE
The replacement for EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE is EKI-2706G-1GFPI-BE. Based on the available research, the transition keeps the core application profile intact while changing a few important operating parameters. For industrial buyers, those differences matter most in environmental compatibility and power planning.
Wider Operating Temperature Range
The most notable update from EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE to EKI-2706G-1GFPI-BE is the operating temperature range. EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE was rated for -10 ~ 60 °C, while EKI-2706G-1GFPI-BE is rated for -40 ~ 75 °C. That is a meaningful improvement for deployments in outdoor cabinets, transportation systems, factory edges, and other harsher environments where temperature margin is critical.
Broader Power Input Range
Another important change is power input. The discontinued EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE used 48 VDC, while EKI-2706G-1GFPI-BE supports 24~48 VDC. This broader input range can simplify replacement planning in sites where available DC power varies by panel, enclosure, or legacy design. Before swapping EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE for EKI-2706G-1GFPI-BE, teams should still verify the actual field power source and internal standards.
Suffix Change Indicates Industrial Wide-Temp Version
The suffix also matters. EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE is the standard industrial temperature version without the "I" designation, while EKI-2706G-1GFPI-BE includes the "I" suffix, indicating a wide-temperature industrial model. For asset managers, this helps explain why EKI-2706G-1GFPI-BE is the designated successor to EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE rather than just a regional or packaging variant.
Core Functionality Remains Consistent
Available research indicates that the main functional profile remains the same between EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE and EKI-2706G-1GFPI-BE. Core specifications continue to include 5x GE PoE plus 1G SFP, a 90W PoE budget, and support for IEEE 802.3af/at. In practical terms, that means many users replacing EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE with EKI-2706G-1GFPI-BE will see continuity in use case and network role, while gaining a wider environmental and power envelope.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Feature | EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE | EKI-2706G-1GFPI-BE |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | B+B SMARTWORX / Advantech | B+B SMARTWORX / Advantech |
| Lifecycle status | Fully discontinued / obsolete | Official replacement |
| Discontinuation reason | PoE IC phased out | Current replacement model |
| EOL date | 2022-10-15 | Not stated in provided data |
| Temperature range | -10 ~ 60 °C | -40 ~ 75 °C |
| Power input | 48 VDC | 24~48 VDC |
| Model suffix | Standard industrial temp (non-I) | Wide temp (I = industrial) |
| Core configuration | 5x GE PoE + 1G SFP | 5x GE PoE + 1G SFP |
| PoE budget | 90W | 90W |
| PoE standards | IEEE 802.3af/at | IEEE 802.3af/at |
Upgrade Checklist
- Confirm that any open demand for EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE is updated to EKI-2706G-1GFPI-BE, since EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE is fully discontinued and no longer available for purchase.
- Review the installed environment. If the application sees temperatures below -10 °C or above 60 °C, EKI-2706G-1GFPI-BE offers a wider operating range that may improve fit.
- Verify site power input before replacement. EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE was specified at 48 VDC, while EKI-2706G-1GFPI-BE supports 24~48 VDC.
- Update internal part records, BOMs, ERP entries, and approved manufacturer lists to replace EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE with EKI-2706G-1GFPI-BE.
- Check labeling and documentation conventions. The "I" in EKI-2706G-1GFPI-BE indicates the wide-temperature industrial version, which may matter for qualification records.
- Validate that your deployment still matches the core network role. Research indicates both EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE and EKI-2706G-1GFPI-BE maintain the same general configuration: 5x GE PoE + 1G SFP, 90W PoE budget, and IEEE 802.3af/at support.
- Standardize future spares on EKI-2706G-1GFPI-BE to avoid mixing active procurement with a phased-out part number.
Bottom Line
EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE is obsolete, fully discontinued, and no longer available for purchase due to a phased-out PoE IC. The official replacement is EKI-2706G-1GFPI-BE, which keeps the same core application profile while adding a wider temperature range and broader 24~48 VDC power input support.
For IT and industrial network buyers, the practical action is straightforward: replace references to EKI-2706G-1GFP-AE with EKI-2706G-1GFPI-BE and verify temperature and power requirements during the transition.
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