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POE

Overview​

Power over Ethernet (PoE) enables both data and electrical power delivery over a single Ethernet cable, eliminating the need for separate power sources at the device level.

This is a foundational system in modern deployments, especially for surveillance, wireless networking, and distributed infrastructure.

🎯 Scope​

Devices​

  • IP cameras (Reolink, Axis, Luma)
  • Wireless access points (UniFi, enterprise WAPs)
  • VoIP phones
  • Door stations and intercom systems

Power Budgeting​

  • Total switch wattage capacity
  • Per-port power allocation
  • Device class requirements (802.3af / 802.3at / 802.3bt)
  • Load distribution across switches

Switch Design​

  • Managed vs unmanaged PoE switches
  • Layer 2 vs Layer 3 switching strategy
  • Redundancy and failover considerations
  • VLAN segmentation for device isolation

🧠 Key Concepts​

  • PoE simplifies installation and reduces infrastructure complexity
  • Power budgets must be calculated before deployment
  • Not all PoE ports deliver the same wattage
  • Cable length and quality directly affect performance
  • High-draw devices (PTZ cameras, WiFi 6 APs) require planning

🛠️ Current Notes​

Use this section for active deployment notes, real-world observations, and configuration decisions specific to your environment.

🔗 References​

Add supporting documentation, device specifications, and related system links here.