PoE input switches

PoE (input)

— switches with PoE power input.

Recall that this technology is used to supply power over the same Ethernet cable through which data is transmitted. Accordingly, the presence of a PoE input allows you to power the switch not from an outlet, but from another network device. At the same time, we note that the role of such an input is usually played by the “network” input — the Uplink connector, designed to connect the switch to external networks.

The advantage of this feature is obvious — it allows you to do without unnecessary wires, and also eliminates the need to look for an outlet to operate the switch. This is useful primarily in cases where the switch is installed in a room without sockets (or without free sockets), or if the number of cables needs to be minimized. On the other hand, power over PoE has very limited power and is only suitable for relatively simple devices with a small number of connectors. And if such a switch also has its own PoE outputs, then when powered via Ethernet, their capabilities are noticeably limited at best, and at worst, such outputs even turn into ordinary network connectors, without additional power. With all this, switches are equipment that is rarely used away from outlets. So there are not many models with PoE inputs nowadays, they all have rather modest characteristics, and the full functionality in many of these devices is realized only with traditional power supply from the outlet.