Profile Overrides - Radio Power

Use the Power screen to set one of two power modes (3af or Auto) for the access point profile. When Automatic is selected, the access point safely operates within available power. Once the power configuration is determined, the access point configures its operating power characteristics based on its model and power configuration.

An access point uses a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) to manage power. The CPLD determines proper supply sequencing, the maximum power available and other status information. One of the primary functions of the CPLD is to determine the maximum power budget. When an access point is powered on (or performing a cold reset), the CPLD determines the maximum power provided by the POE device and the budget available to the access point. The CPLD also determines the access point hardware SKU (model) and the number of radios.

If the access point‘s POE resource cannot provide sufficient power to run the access point (with all intended interfaces enabled), some of the following interfaces could be disabled or modified:

  • The access point‘s transmit and receive algorithms could be negatively impacted
  • The access point‘s transmit power could be reduced due to insufficient power
  • The access point‘s WAN port configuration could be changed (either enabled or disabled)

Consider the following information before configuring the AP5XX power capability.

The new 802.11ax AP5XX (AP505, AP510 and AP560) model access points can be powered up with POE or through an external power source. These APs support both IEEE 802.3af and 802.3at standards. If connected to a POE AT power source (25W) or external power source, the APs operate in normal mode with full performance. If connected to a POE AF power source (14.5W), the APs operate in low power mode with limited performance.

AP510 and AP560 mode of functioning (normal/low power):

To operate your AP510 and AP560 access points in the normal mode, the AP has to be powered from:
  • GE1 POE connected to AT switch port and GE2 is not connected, or
  • GE2 POE connected to AT switch port and GE1 is not connected, or
  • Both GE1 and GE2 POE connected to AT switch port, or
  • External power supply source
To operate your AP510 and AP560 access points in the low power mode, the AP has to be powered from:
  • GE1 POE connected to AF switch port and external power source not connected, or
  • GE2 POE connected to AF switch port and external power source not connected, or

AP5050 mode of functioning (normal/low power):

To operate your AP505 access point in the normal mode, the AP has to be powered from:
  • GE1 POE connected to AT switch port, or
  • External power supply source
To operate your AP505 access point in the low power mode, the AP has to be powered from:
  • GE1 POE connected to AF switch port and external power source not connected

To define an access point‘s power configuration:

  1. Go to Configuration → Devices → Device Overrides.

    The Device Overrides screen displays. This screen lists devices within the managed network.

  2. Select an access point.

    The selected access point's configuration menu displays.

  3. Expand Profile Overrides and select Power.
    Click to expand in new window
    Device Configuration - System Profile - Power Screen
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  4. Use the Power Mode drop-down menu to set the Power Mode Configuration on this AP.
    When an access point is powered on for the first time, it determines the power budget available. Using the Automatic setting, the access point automatically determines the best power configuration based on the available power budget. Automatic is the default setting.

    If 802.3af is selected, the access point assumes 12.95 watts are available. If the mode is changed, the access point requires a reset to implement the change.

  5. Set the access point radio‘s 802.3af Power Mode and the radio‘s 802.3at Power Mode.
    Use the drop-down menu for each power mode to define a mode of either Range or Throughput.

    Select Throughput to transmit packets at the radio‘s highest defined basic rate (based on the radio‘s current basic rate settings). This option is optimal in environments where the transmission range is secondary to broadcast/multicast transmission performance.

    Select Range when range is preferred over performance for broadcast/multicast (group) traffic. The data rates used for range are the lowest defined basic rates. Throughput is the default setting for both 802.3af and 802.3at.

  6. Select OK to save the changes made to the access point power configuration. Select Reset to revert to the last saved configuration.