why Power over Ethernet (PoE) is amazing!! // FREE CCNA // EP 12

NetworkChuck
14 Mar 202119:39

TLDRThe video explores the marvels of Power over Ethernet (PoE), which allows for both power and data to be transmitted over a single Ethernet cable. Initially developed by Cisco for IP phones, PoE has evolved through various standards, from 802.3af to 802.3bt, doubling the power output for devices like access points and security cameras. The video delves into the technical aspects of PoE, including active and passive PoE, and demonstrates how to configure and monitor PoE ports on a Cisco switch, highlighting the convenience and efficiency of PoE in modern networking.

Takeaways

  • 🔌 Power over Ethernet (PoE) allows for both power and data to be transmitted over a single Ethernet cable, simplifying installations.
  • 📞 PoE was initially developed by Cisco to eliminate the need for separate power and Ethernet cables for devices like IP phones.
  • 🛠️ The first PoE standard (802.3af) was established in 2003, offering up to 15.4 watts of power for devices.
  • 🚀 PoE Plus (802.3at), introduced in 2009, doubled the power output to 30 watts, enabling the use of PoE for more power-hungry devices.
  • 🔋 PoE has evolved to include higher power standards like 802.3bt, which provides up to 90 watts, expanding the range of devices that can be powered.
  • 🔍 PoE uses negotiation protocols like CDP (Cisco Discovery Protocol) or LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol) to determine the power needs of connected devices.
  • 👷‍♂️ The use of PoE reduces the need for electricians, as network engineers can handle both data and power deployment with a single cable.
  • 🏢 PoE enhances flexibility and mobility in network deployments, as devices can be moved or repositioned without the need for additional power wiring.
  • 🔄 There are two types of PoE: active, which negotiates power delivery, and passive, which provides a constant power supply without negotiation.
  • 👀 It's important to monitor the power capacity of PoE switches to ensure that there is sufficient power available for all connected devices.
  • 🛡️ PoE increases safety by reducing the need for direct electrical wiring, minimizing the risk of electrical hazards in installations.

Q & A

  • What is Power over Ethernet (PoE) and why is it considered amazing?

    -Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a technology that allows both power and data to be transferred over an Ethernet cable, which is considered amazing because it simplifies the deployment of devices like IP phones, wireless access points, and security cameras by eliminating the need for separate power and data cables.

  • Who is credited with the invention of PoE and what was their initial motivation?

    -Cisco is credited with the invention of PoE. Their initial motivation was to avoid running separate power and Ethernet cables to IP phones, aiming to simplify the deployment and reduce the need for both network engineers and electricians.

  • What is the difference between active and passive PoE?

    -Active PoE involves a negotiation process between the switch (Power Sourcing Equipment, PSE) and the device (Powered Device, PD) to determine the appropriate amount of power to supply. Passive PoE, on the other hand, provides power continuously without negotiation, which can be risky as it may supply too much power to devices not designed to handle it.

  • What are the different types of PoE standards and their respective power outputs?

    -The different types of PoE standards include 802.3af (Type 1 PoE) with 15.4 watts, 802.3at (Type 2 PoE Plus) with 30 watts, 802.3bt (Type 3 PoE Plus) with 60 watts, and 802.3bt Type 4 with up to 90 watts of power output.

  • How does a Cisco switch manage the power distribution to PoE devices?

    -A Cisco switch manages power distribution by using commands such as 'show power inline' to check the available power, used power, and remaining power. It also negotiates with the connected PoE devices to ensure that each device receives the appropriate amount of power.

  • What is the purpose of the Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP) or Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) in PoE?

    -CDP and LLDP are used for negotiation between the switch and the PoE device to determine the amount of power required by the device. This ensures that the device gets neither too little nor too much power, preventing potential damage.

  • What is the significance of the IEEE in the development of PoE standards?

    -The IEEE is significant in the development of PoE standards as they are the organization responsible for ratifying and standardizing these technologies, ensuring compatibility and interoperability across different manufacturers' devices.

  • What is the potential issue that can arise if a PoE switch does not have enough power to supply all its ports at their maximum capacity?

    -If a PoE switch does not have enough power to supply all its ports at their maximum capacity, some devices may not receive power, leading to a failure in operation. This can be identified by monitoring the switch's power usage and available power.

  • What is the role of Boson Software in the context of this video script?

    -Boson Software is the sponsor of the video series and provides preparation materials for various IT certification exams, including practice exams, courseware, and labs. They are recommended for their comprehensive study resources.

  • What is the practical demonstration shown in the video script regarding PoE?

    -The practical demonstration in the video script involves connecting Cisco IP phones to a Cisco switch and using the command line interface (CLI) to observe the PoE process, including power detection and granting, as well as monitoring power usage on the switch.

  • What is the final challenge presented to the viewers in the video script?

    -The final challenge is a practice exam question from Boson's CCNA exam preparation material, which tests the viewer's understanding of what happens when a PoE device attempts to draw more power than the switch is configured to provide.

Outlines

00:00

🔌 Introduction to Power over Ethernet (PoE)

The script introduces Power over Ethernet (PoE) as an innovative technology that combines power and data transmission over a single Ethernet cable. It uses the example of an iPhone to demonstrate the concept and highlights the convenience of PoE in networking. The narrator explains the historical development of PoE, starting with Cisco's invention of 'Cisco Inline Power' in 2000, and its evolution into an IEEE standard in 2003. The script also mentions Boson Software as a sponsor, providing resources for IT certification exams, and teases a bonus question related to PoE from a CCNA practice exam.

05:00

🚀 Advancements in PoE Technology

This paragraph delves into the evolution of PoE standards, starting with the initial 4-5 watts for powering phones, to the introduction of PoE Plus which doubled the power output. It discusses the quest for more power, leading to Cisco's proprietary Universal Power over Ethernet (U-PoE) in 2011, offering 60 watts. The IEEE standard, 802.3bt, is mentioned as the latest advancement, providing up to 90 watts of power. The script covers the benefits of PoE for various devices, including cameras, access points, and even computers, and touches on the safety and convenience aspects of PoE for network engineers.

10:00

🔧 Practical Demonstration of PoE in Action

The script transitions to a practical demonstration of PoE using Cisco Packet Tracer, a virtual lab environment. It guides viewers through the process of connecting Cisco phones to a switch and observing the PoE process in action. The narrator explains the commands used to check the power status on a Cisco switch, such as 'show power inline', and discusses the importance of monitoring power availability to prevent devices from not powering up due to insufficient power supply. The demonstration serves to illustrate the technical aspects of PoE and its implementation in real-world scenarios.

15:01

📚 Understanding PoE Standards and Safety Features

The final paragraph focuses on the importance of understanding PoE standards, such as 802.3af, 802.3at, and 802.3bt, and their respective power outputs. It differentiates between active and passive PoE, explaining how active PoE negotiates power requirements with the device, while passive PoE provides a constant power supply without negotiation. The script also addresses safety concerns, such as the potential for devices to draw more power than allocated, leading to a port shutdown and syslog message. The video concludes with a practice exam question from Boson Software to reinforce the learning about PoE and its operational dynamics.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Power over Ethernet (PoE)

Power over Ethernet, often abbreviated as PoE, is a technology that allows network cables to carry both data signals and electrical power to devices such as wireless access points, IP cameras, and VoIP phones. In the video, PoE is described as 'amazing' because it simplifies the deployment of network devices by eliminating the need for separate power cables, thereby reducing installation costs and enhancing flexibility.

💡Ethernet

Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies commonly used in local area networks (LAN), metropolitan area networks (MAN), and wide area networks (WAN). It is the most widely used data link protocol for local networks. The script explains how Ethernet cables, traditionally used for data transmission, are utilized in PoE to also provide power to devices, demonstrating the versatility of this technology.

💡PSE (Power Sourcing Equipment)

In the context of PoE, PSE refers to the device that supplies power to the network device, such as a switch. The script mentions that the PSE is the source of power in a PoE setup, which can be a Cisco switch or other compatible devices that have the capability to provide power over Ethernet cables.

💡PD (Powered Device)

PD stands for Powered Device, which is the device that receives both power and data via the Ethernet cable from the PSE. Examples of PDs include IP phones, as mentioned in the script, which traditionally require both a power source and a network connection, but with PoE, these needs are met by a single cable.

💡IEEE 802.3af

IEEE 802.3af is the first standard for PoE, ratified in 2003. It is also known as 'PoE' and provides up to 15.4 watts of power per port. The script explains how this standard was a significant development, allowing for more widespread adoption of PoE technology beyond just Cisco devices.

💡PoE Plus

PoE Plus, also known as 802.3at, is an upgrade to the original PoE standard, providing up to 30 watts per port. The script discusses how PoE Plus enables the powering of higher-power devices, such as larger wireless access points, by doubling the power output compared to the original standard.

💡U-PoE (Cisco Universal Power over Ethernet)

U-PoE is a Cisco-specific technology that provides up to 60 watts of power over Ethernet, using all four pairs of wires in the cable. The script highlights this as a significant step in the quest for more power, allowing for even more devices to be powered via Ethernet cables, though it was not initially a standard and was specific to Cisco equipment.

💡802.3bt

802.3bt is the official standard that succeeded U-PoE, providing the same 60 watts of power but as an industry standard, not limited to Cisco equipment. The script mentions this as a milestone in PoE development, indicating the continuous evolution of the technology to meet increasing power demands.

💡Active PoE

Active PoE is a type of PoE where the PSE negotiates with the PD to determine the appropriate amount of power to supply. This is important to prevent overloading the device with too much power, as explained in the script. Active PoE uses protocols like CDP (Cisco Discovery Protocol) or LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol) for this negotiation process.

💡Passive PoE

Passive PoE, as described in the script, is a type of PoE where power is supplied continuously to the PD without negotiation. This method is less flexible and can potentially damage devices not designed to receive power, as it does not adjust the power output based on the device's needs.

💡Boson Software

Boson Software is mentioned in the script as the sponsor of the video series and a provider of study materials for IT certification exams such as CCNA, CCNP, and others. They offer practice exams, courseware, and labs to help IT professionals prepare for their certification exams.

Highlights

Power over Ethernet (PoE) allows power and data to be transmitted over a single Ethernet cable.

PoE was initially developed by Cisco to power IP phones and has since become a widespread standard.

The IEEE standardized PoE with the 802.3af standard in 2003, providing up to 15.4 watts of power.

PoE Plus, or 802.3at, was introduced in 2009, doubling the power output to 30 watts per port.

Cisco's Universal Power over Ethernet (U-PoE) offers 60 watts of power, using all four pairs of wires in the Ethernet cable.

The 802.3bt standard, also known as PoE++ or 4PPoE, provides up to 90 watts of power for even larger devices.

PoE simplifies network deployments by eliminating the need for separate power and data cables.

Active PoE negotiates with the device to ensure the correct amount of power is supplied, preventing damage.

Passive PoE provides a constant power supply without negotiation, which can be dangerous for non-PoE devices.

Cisco's Packet Tracer is a useful tool for practicing Cisco skills and understanding PoE in action.

PoE can power a wide range of devices, including wireless access points, security cameras, and even small computers.

The quest for more power in PoE has led to innovations like PoE++, expanding its capabilities and applications.

Understanding PoE standards and types is crucial for network engineers to ensure safe and efficient deployments.

Boson Software provides comprehensive study materials for networking certifications, including a focus on PoE.

In a real-world scenario, a Cisco switch can be configured to manage PoE power distribution to various devices.

Network engineers must be aware of the total available power on a switch to prevent devices from not powering up due to insufficient power.

PoE's evolution and increasing power capacity are paving the way for smarter, more efficient building infrastructures.