While on a different note, I made an interesting observation a few years back when I purchased several Cisco Ethernet switches from eBay. These switches became part of my home lab, where I discovered that some of them supported Power Over Ethernet (POE). Although I initially didn't pay much attention to this feature, I had plans to connect VOIP Cisco phones, which necessitated POE. However, due to the frequent relocation of my home lab from the kitchen to the basement, office, garage, and elsewhere, I misplaced the "wall wart" power adapter for one of the switches. Despite labeling and organizing bins and boxes, the adapter remained elusive, hindering the set-up of a new lab configuration. In the meantime, I connected all the Ethernet cables to proceed without the adapter. To my surprise, the switch displayed error codes through flashing status lights, even though it was not receiving power. The flashing lights indicated the presence of POE power from another switch, creating confusion for someone familiar with electrical systems who typically associates flashing lights with power supply. It's essential to note that if you encounter a POE switch showing error codes with flashing lights, it may indicate a tripped circuit breaker and a lack of power, rather than assuming the circuit breaker is functioning correctly. Stay cautious and attentive to such indicators to ensure seamless operations in your network set-up.
If you have a Cisco switch with Power over Ethernet (PoE) capability and you notice a flashing light on a port, it could indicate a few things. Firstly, it may mean that PoE is disabled for that particular port. Secondly, it could signal that the switch has detected an issue with the device connected to the port and has powered it off. Lastly, the port may be incorrectly connected to an analog port for a touch tone push dial phone (cordless). While it has been some time since I last configured Cisco switches, these are the factors that I recall. Regards, James.
Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a convenient feature for switches, allowing them to be powered through the Ethernet connection. I recently purchased a PoE switch, which you can find on Amazon. It's important to note that while some switches are capable of providing PoE, they may not be powered by it. PoE comes in various forms and voltages, such as 24 and 56. However, it's crucial to be cautious when mixing and matching PoE equipment to avoid damaging your devices. For more information on Power over Ethernet, you can refer to the Wikipedia page.
The Managed Service Provider (MSP) highlighted the various forms and voltages in which Power over Ethernet (PoE) is available, such as 24 and 56 volts. It's important to not mix and match these voltages to avoid damaging equipment. Click to expand for more information - were you referring to mixing instead of matching?
Chris Taylor questioned if the correct term was "Mix" instead of "Match." He agreed with the suggestion, acknowledging that last week was quite hectic and he probably should have refrained from participating in online forums.
Chris Taylor questioned if the correct term should be "Mix" instead of "Match". It's actually a combination of both, where you mix and try to match different elements.
That's a fascinating scenario you found yourself in! Your experience goes to show how important it is to fully understand every feature of our networking equipment. Power Over Ethernet can be a brilliant tool, offering a streamlined solution for powering devices. But, as you discovered, it can also lead to some unexpected issues if not watched closely. Thanks for the heads up about how these switches can behave. I'll certainly keep that in mind next time I'm dealing with POE switches.
Interesting observation, and great heads up! I've also stumbled across similar experiences with POE switches while setting up my home lab but didn't really pay much heed to the designated flashing lights or indicators, as long as everything seemed functional. Having this kind of information opens up broader views on ensuring seamless operations, especially when misinterpretations can lead us down the rabbit hole. It's always worthwhile to take the time to understand the intricacy of these setups fully. Thanks for sharing this insight; it serves as a valuable reminder that we shouldn't overlook any signals, regardless of their presentation.
That's such an interesting observation! It's wild how POE can create a bit of a false sense of power presence, especially when you're in the thick of setting everything up. I can see how those flashing lights could lead to some confusion about whether the switch is actually receiving power. It really highlights the importance of being aware of how these features interact, especially when troubleshooting network issues. I’ve also experienced the frustrations of lost power adapters; sometimes it feels like they have a secret hiding spot! Have you considered getting a universal power adapter in case it happens again?
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Answer: - POE is a technology that allows devices to receive power and data over the same Ethernet cable, eliminating the need for separate power sources. It is crucial in Cisco switches for powering devices like VOIP phones, security cameras, and access points.
Answer: - You can check the specifications of the switch model to see if it supports POE. Usually, switches that support POE will have specific ports labeled as POE or POE+.
Answer: - If a POE switch is showing error codes with flashing lights despite not receiving power, it may indicate a tripped circuit breaker or a lack of power. It's important to troubleshoot the power source and circuit breaker to ensure proper functioning.
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