What is a PoE Switch (Power over Ethernet Switch)?
Power over Ethernet (PoE) is an access layer technology that combines data signals and electrical power into a single Ethernet cable connection to enable remote powered device. PoE switches provide PoE power and network connectivity over twisted-pair wire to access points, surveillance cameras, and other IoT devices.
A PoE Switch Explained
Power over Ethernet (PoE) is an access layer technology that combines data signals and electrical power into a single Ethernet cable connection to enable remote powered device operation. PoE runs over twisted pair cabling which can be quickly installed, often in difficult to reach locations where pulling electrical power is not feasible.
Using the data signal capabilities, PoE and device status can be monitored, and information shared between a switch and powered device in order to manage the amount of power delivered to the remote device.
A PoE switch provides PoE power to network devices such as access points, surveillance cameras, IP phones, lighting, and other IoT devices. PoE switches often are capable of prioritizing and optimizing PoE power allocations for critical network devices.
Why a PoE Switch?
Designing a network that’s ready to support the explosion of IoT devices and the latest wireless technologies requires special consideration that addresses network capacity planning for both speed-based performance and to power network devices. PoE is an access layer technology which combines both data signals and electrical power into a single Ethernet cable connection to enable remote powered device operation.
By eliminating the need for separate data and power cables, PoE provides the advantages of simplicity and cost savings, while adding new intelligent device control capabilities. Driven by the need to connect emerging power hungry IoT devices, PoE technology has progressed with the introduction of the IEEE 802.3bt standard. This new standard allows PoE switches and powered devices to operate above 30 Watts of PoE per port and support up to 60 and even 90 Watts of PoE per port.
Progression of IEEE standards for PoE (Power over Ethernet)
| Standard | IEEE 802.3af | IEEE 802.3at | IEEE 802.3bt | |||
| Power | 15.4 Watt | 30 Watt | 45 Watt | 60 Watt | 75 Watt | 90 Watt |
| Year | 2003 | 2009 | 2018 High power standard | |||
Advantages of a PoE (Power over Ethernet) Switch
PoE runs over twisted pair cabling, which is prevalent worldwide and can also be quickly installed, often without a skilled electrician. Twisted pair cabling can be installed in difficult to reach locations where pulling electrical power is not feasible.
This technology also includes capabilities to lower power consumption during idle periods. And with the data signal capabilities, status can be monitored, and information shared between a PoE switch and powered device to manage the amount of power delivered to the remote device.
High-power PoE standards
Industry standards broaden appeal for new technologies so customers can be assured of multi-vendor products working together, which is very critical for network operations. Proprietary solutions can limit customer choice by locking them in to a single vendor and restricts the flexibility to adopt the latest, most advanced, industry standard devices as they become available. PoE standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) have evolved over the past two decades to support large increases in power transmission and faster data speeds with intelligence. These all work together to expand the adoption of the standard and drive demand for new device support.
Aruba consistently delivers standards-compliant, rather than proprietary, solutions to the marketplace. This focus on standards enables customers to be confident in the design and deployment of a high power PoE solution from Aruba.
To meet the needs of large enterprises to SMB, Aruba CX switches support a range of PoE power and PoE power budgets. Aruba network switches with IEEE 802.3bt (Class 8) provide up to 90 Watts to all standards-compatible powered devices, which means your infrastructure investment will provide value into the future as new devices and applications come to market. As further proof of our commitment to industry standards, Aruba switches are among the first products to be listed on the Ethernet Alliance (EA) Certified PoE Product Registry which helps ensure reliable, network interoperability.
Aruba Access Points, including outdoor APs, benefit from PoE. PoE can leverage either a single port or combined power from two Ethernet ports, making it easier to provide wireless connectivity where cabling options are limited.
What are the benefits of a PoE Switch?
| Benefit | How a PoE switch delivers it |
|---|---|
| Simplicity | Eliminating the need for separate data and power cables, PoE can be installed quickly and simply. |
| Cost savings | PoE eliminates the need to pull electrical to inaccessible locations and uses a lower cost cable that’s easier and quicker to install. |
| Intelligent device control | PoE allows you to manage the amount of power delivered to remote devices. PoE switches can prioritize PoE power delivered to critical network infrastructure devices. |
| Futureproofing | PoE addresses network capacity planning for both speed-based performance and to power network devices. It supports the explosion of IoT devices and the latest wireless technologies. |
| Industry standards | PoE technology has progressed with the IEEE 802.3bt standard that allows switches and powered devices to operate above 30 Watts of PoE per port and support up to 60 and even 90 Watts of PoE per port. |
