Configure and Troubleshoot PoE

Based on the specific hardware specifications of Cisco switches, WLCs, and APs, various Power over Ethernet (PoE) solutions are available to provide power to access points. Standards include Cisco prestandard power, IEEE 802.3af power, and IEEE 802.3at. Cisco has extended power management to all these standards to further optimize Power Source Equipment (PSE) power management using Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP). Both the IEEE 802.3af and 802.3at define two methods of delivering PoE to the discovered device requiring power:

• Endpoint PSE, when the AP is connected to a PoE-capable Ethernet switch.

• Midspan PSE. When the AP is connected to a non-PoE-capable Ethernet switch, we need to introduce PoE through a powered Ethernet source, a power injector, or any other PoE mechanism.