PoE

Power over Ethernet (PoE) is an effective method of supplying 48 VDC power to certain types of powered devices (PDs) through Category 5, Category 5E and Category 6 twisted pair Ethernet cables.

PDs include wireless access points, IP telephones, laptop computers, web cameras, and other devices. With PoE, a single Ethernet cable supplies power and the data connection, reducing costs associated with separate power cabling and supply.

The system supports hitless failover for PoE in a system with two Management Switch Fabric Modules (MSMs). Hitless failover means that if the primary MSM fails over to the backup MSM, all port currently powered will maintain power after the failover and all the power configurations remain active.

Similar failover support is available for a SummitStack. In a SummitStack, power is maintained across a failover on all PoE ports of non-primary nodes but is lost on all PoE ports of the failed primary node. Each Summit switch has its own PSU and the power budget for each Summit switch is determined by the internal/external PSUs connected to that Summit switch.