Linking non-PoE equipment to a PoE switch
Linking non-PoE equipment to a PoE switch
Hi Team, I’m planning to purchase a second-hand 48-port PoE switch from Cisco 3750. I intend to set up 16 IP cameras at home and 3-4 PoE access points. The switch has 48 ports, so I’ll reserve the rest for regular Ethernet connections for devices like TVs and computers. I want to confirm whether using this switch will affect the performance of non-PoE devices and if it can supply enough power for all the cameras and access points. Additionally, I need guidance on choosing PoE switches that can handle the power needs of multiple IP cameras. Regarding FreeNAS, I’m curious if it’s possible to stream footage directly from the cameras to the NAS without using an NVR. Please advise on any considerations for selecting a suitable PoE switch and setting up the network.
You can link a non-POE device to a POE port without issues. Power will travel through the cable, provided both the switch and the end device support POE. It appears capable of handling up to 540W, with most of that allocated for POE. Since all ports seem to be POE-enabled, a 10W per port estimate seems reasonable. Verify that all your connected POE devices (like access points or cameras) draw less than 10W. In practice, most will meet this requirement. Also, note that the Cisco POE switch ports are typically 10/100 Mb/s—consider whether that meets your speed needs.
The switch allocates around 15 watts per PoE port and can deliver up to 15.4 watts, but exceeding the limit will cut off power to additional PoE devices. Yes, OP should consider a 3750G model for gigabit ports.
I noticed the Cisco switch is a 10/100 port device, which isn't sufficient for modern needs. I'm receiving a solid offer on the Brocade ICX 6450 48P switch, featuring gigabit speed and all 48 ports supporting PoE. Let me know if this fits your requirements.
Sure, I'm just getting started with switches and mainly need them to link all my devices in a multi-story building. I don’t plan to use a command-line interface, so here’s a simple overview of some useful commands and what they offer. These can help you manage your network more efficiently.
These are high-end networking devices that typically lack graphical interfaces. When they do have ones, they tend to be minimal and require command-line configurations for setup. They aren't designed for easy plug-and-play operation; most systems need some initial configuration to get the ports functional. To begin, you'll require a method to reach the console, usually via a USB-to-serial connection. A basic search will show you how to manage the switch for management purposes, enabling essential tasks through its GUI.
Not every POE switch is identical. It’s important to check the type—active switches automatically negotiate voltage needed by the client, while passive switches provide a fixed voltage over Ethernet. Be cautious with passive models since they won’t work with non-POE devices. Switches supporting IEEE standards 802.3af (up to 15.4W), 802.3at (30W), and 802.3bt (60W or 100W) are safe to use. Most current models are active, but older ones may require more detailed specifications.
I reviewed the product specifications page and confirmed the listed standards for the Brocade ICX 4850 48P switch: IEEE 802.3af, IEEE 802.3ad (LACP), IEEE 802.3z, IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.1s, IEEE 802.1x, IEEE 802.3ae, IEEE 802.1ab (LLDP), IEEE 802.1D, IEEE 802.3ab, IEEE 802.1Q, IEEE 802.3u, IEEE 802.3at, IEEE 802.3x, and IEEE 802.1p. The interfaces included are: 24 x 1000Base-T RJ-45 PoE, 1 x 1000Base-T RJ-45 management, 2 x 10Gb Ethernet / 1Gb Ethernet - SFP/SFP+, 1 x console RJ-45 management, 24 x 1000Base-T RJ-45 PoE+, and 2 x Ethernet 1000 - SFP/SFP+. Based on this, the switch supports active operation and connecting non-PoE devices won't cause any issues.