power over ethernet; for what?

[office politics]

i can't wrap by brain around what i would use PoE for.


What does the new Power over Ethernet standard mean for IT pros? | Network Administrator | TechRepublic.com

What does the new Power over Ethernet standard mean for IT pros?
Date: September 29th, 2009
Author: Paul Mah

The IEEE802.3at Power over Ethernet (PoE) standard was ratified earlier this month. For the uninitiated, what does the migration to PoE entail? Blogger Paul Mah takes a look at some of the considerations.

 

[kmote]

It's for things like VOIP phones and security cameras where you don't want to have to plug it into power as well as network.

 

[oldskool]

Exactly. I read in some article that PoE is especially useful when you are adding something to a network and a power source is otherwise unavailable, or too far away and therefore impractical.

Kmote's example of a security camera is one such case - it needs power, so it is sent to the camera via the PoE cable which takes advantage of literally sending power to the camera over the same cable. Of course, for PoE to work, both the device (the camera) and the medium (cable) have to be PoE-capable.

 

[Osiris]

I use POE in my network, these AP's are in the warehouse about 50 feet high where no power is present. Very nice feature to have.

 

[oldskool]

I use POE in my network, these AP's are in the warehouse about 50 feet high where no power is present. Very nice feature to have.

See, there ya go....another good example

 

[zedman3d]

Well what happens when youre in a double brick building and its insulated with a material with metalic lining? Wireless sure aint gonna work, so just grab a kit and problem solved.

 

[oldskool]

Right, but PoE isn't always wireless. Osiris was just giving an example of PoE in a wireless setting I do believe.

 

[Jayce]

I use POE in my network, these AP's are in the warehouse about 50 feet high where no power is present. Very nice feature to have.

Although our AP's aren't 50 feet high, it's still a beeyotch to climb up and run power to them. Or... you know... I could just put an end on the cat 5e cable and call it a day with POE.

 

[Osiris]

Right, but PoE isn't always wireless. Osiris was just giving an example of PoE in a wireless setting I do believe.

And you would be correct

 

[Osiris]

Although our AP's aren't 50 feet high, it's still a beeyotch to climb up and run power to them. Or... you know... I could just put an end on the cat 5e cable and call it a day with POE.

So you climb up the poles?

I use the scissor lift