Configuring Power Over Ethernet (PoE) on SonicWall Secure Switch

SonicWall Supports Power Over Ethernet PoE and lets Ethernet cables supply power to network devices over the existing data connection. The device that transmits power is a PSE( power sourcing equipment), while the device that is powered is a PD (powered devices).

The SWS12-8PoE switch supports only 802.3af, while the other PoE-capable switch support 802.3af and 802.3at standards. Power limitations are presented in the specifications table. As indicated in the table, the maximum per-port power output is 30 Watts.

SonicWall Switch with PoE ports supports both 802.3 af and at (802.3 at is also known as PoE+).

The major difference between 802.3af (PoE) and 802.3at (PoE+) is that PoE+ PSEs can provide almost twice as much power over a single Ethernet cable. 

PoE and PoE+ powered devices are assigned a class from 0-4 based on how much power they require. When a PD is connected to a PSE, it provides its class to the PSE so that the PSE can supply the correct amount of power to it. Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 devices require very low power, low power, and medium power, respectively. Class 4 (PoE+) devices require a high amount of power and are only compatible with PoE+ PSEs.

• To set up PoE limits per port, navigate to Manage |Switch Controller and Select Ports and click Configure dialog box.
  
  
•   The PoE+ Switches supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) as defined by the IEEE 802.3af and 802.3at. All ports can support PoE up to 30W. Ports 1-24 can supply about 48 VDC power to Powered Devices (PDs) over standard UTP Ethernet cables. The Switch follows the standard PSE (Power Sourcing Equipment) pinout, whereby power is sent out over pins 1, 2, 3, and 6.                                  
  
  

PoE Admin Status

• Enabled - Enables the Device Discovery protocol and provides power to the device using the PoE module. The Device Discovery Protocol lets the device discover powered devices attached to device interfaces and learns their classification.
• Disabled - Disables the Device Discovery protocol and halts the power supply delivering power to the device using the PoE module.

PoE Power Priority Level
Select the port priority if the power supply is low. The field default is Low. For example, if the power supply is running at 99% usage, and port 1 is prioritized as high, but port 6 is prioritized as low, port 1 is prioritized to receive power and port 6 may be denied power.

The possible field values are 4.

• Low – Sets the PoE priority level as low.
• Medium – Sets the PoE priority level as medium.
• High – Sets the PoE priority level as high.
• Critical – Sets the PoE priority level as critical.

PoE Power Limit Type 

• It can be set to Auto Class  where the ports are dedicated with 30 W power per port.
• If set to User Defined  then the port can be dedicated with a Flexible power in a range of 0 to 30W.
  
  

  NOTE: To support PoE, CAT-5E and CAT-6 cables are recommended.