Is there a network switch that I can power over the Ethernet cable?

[Jhinbe]

Hi,

I want to take ethernet cables to three different rooms, so I need to place a switch somewhere. The best place to put it doesn't have an outlet nearby, so I was wondering whether there are switches that get their power over the Ethernet cables, even if they cost more than regular ones. Is this possible? I know next to nothing about networking hardware.

[Eigenvektor]

This is called Power over Ethernet (PoE) and is used a lot in enterprise environments. The hardware can be a bit more pricey though.

 

~edit: You do need something to provide that power though and that is usually the switch, which then powers the devices attached to it. There are PoE powered switches but, afaik, they are fairly expensive since they are somewhat unusual. (I stand corrected)

[CustomEnchants]

3 minutes ago, Jhinbe said:

Hi,

I want to take ethernet cables to three different rooms, so I need to place a switch somewhere. The best place to put it doesn't have an outlet nearby, so I was wondering whether there are switches that get their power over the Ethernet cables, even if they cost more than regular ones. Is this possible? I know next to nothing about networking hardware.

Ubiquiti Unifi Flex Mini

[Oshino Shinobu]

Yes, there are, It's a technology called Power over Ethernet (PoE or 802.3af/at) though you'd also need either a switch at another location with PoE out to power the other switch or a PoE injector which needs to be plugged into a wall outlet. 

 

There are small ones like the Netgear GS105PE. If you search for PoE powered switch, you'll find some. 

[The_russian]

Look for a PoE (power over Ethernet) powered switch, if you just type in POE switch you will get results for switches that can power other devices with PoE instead of switches that are themselves powered by PoE (you will still need either a switch that can provide PoE power or a PoE injector to power the smaller switch.

[Jhinbe]

21 minutes ago, CustomEnchants said:

Ubiquiti Unifi Flex Mini

Looks good, thanks!

[Jhinbe]

20 minutes ago, The_russian said:

Look for a PoE (power over Ethernet) powered switch, if you just type in POE switch you will get results for switches that can power other devices with PoE instead of switches that are themselves powered by PoE (you will still need either a switch that can provide PoE power or a PoE injector to power the smaller switch.

Oh nice, I think I will have to use a power injector but I was starting to think it couldn't be done (I have seen lots of PoE switches for powering other devices but none that were powered by it). Just in case, this works over a regular ethernet cable, right?

[Jhinbe]

1 hour ago, Oshino Shinobu said:

Yes, there are, It's a technology called Power over Ethernet (PoE or 802.3af/at) though you'd also need either a switch at another location with PoE out to power the other switch or a PoE injector which needs to be plugged into a wall outlet. 

 

There are small ones like the Netgear GS105PE. If you search for PoE powered switch, you'll find some. 

Thanks!

[Jhinbe]

1 hour ago, Eigenvektor said:

This is called Power over Ethernet (PoE) and is used a lot in enterprise environments. The hardware can be a bit more pricey though.

 

~edit: You do need something to provide that power though and that is usually the switch, which then powers the devices attached to it. There are PoE powered switches but, afaik, they are fairly expensive since they are somewhat unusual. (I stand corrected)

Thanks! Yep, not enterprise-level expensive but still quite a bit more than regular ones

[The_russian]

1 hour ago, Jhinbe said:

Just in case, this works over a regular ethernet cable, right?

Technically yes, but some cables are better suited for it than others, especially for longer runs of cable and/or high power draw. Cat6 and Cat7 cables have thicker conductors than Cat5e so will have less resistance, which will lead to less heat generated. In general though for just one (or a few) switches most Cat5e or better cable will work fine, as long as it is not some cheap Chinese one that is not certified.

[Mope El Two]

Make sure you get an Active PoE switch NOT a Passive PoE switch, and make sure the power output for your switch can power the device(s) you intend to power.

[Jhinbe]

53 minutes ago, The_russian said:

Technically yes, but some cables are better suited for it than others, especially for longer runs of cable and/or high power draw. Cat6 and Cat7 cables have thicker conductors than Cat5e so will have less resistance, which will lead to less heat generated. In general though for just one (or a few) switches most Cat5e or better cable will work fine, as long as it is not some cheap Chinese one that is not certified.

The cable I have in place is Cat5e, so I will go with that. Thanks!

[mariushm]

Microtik has a bunch of network switches with power over ethernet power input, here's a list (with filter for power over ethernet input applied) :

 

MikroTik Routers and Wireless - Products

 

The most basic $40 switch they have : https://mikrotik.com/product/RB260GS

Can be powered either through ethernet cable, or through a barrel jack connector (12-24v for example)

 

 

If you don't have other switch or device with power over ethernet output to put power into the cable, you need to use a PoE injector to introduce power in the cable going to the switch.

Examples :

Amazon.com: TP-LINK 802.3af Gigabit PoE Injector | Convert Non-PoE to PoE Adapter | Auto Detects the Required Power, up to 15.4W | Plug & Play | Distance Up to 100 meters (328 ft.) | Black (TL-PoE150S): Electronics

Amazon.com: TRENDnet Gigabit Power Over Ethernet Plus Injector, Converts Non-Poe Gigabit To Poe+ Or PoE Gigabit, Supplies PoE (15.4W) Or PoE+ (30W) Power Network Distances Up To 100M (328 ft.), Black, TPE-115GI: Computers & Accessories

 

Amazon.com: TP-LINK TL-PoE160S | 802.3at/af Gigabit PoE Injector | Non-PoE to PoE Adapter | Supplies PoE (15.4W) or PoE+ (30W) | Plug & Play | Desktop/Wall-Mount | Distance Up to 328 ft. | UL Certified, Black: Computers & Accessories

Amazon.com: TP-Link PoE Injector | PoE Adapter 24V DC Passive PoE | Gigabit Ports | Up to 100 Meters(325 feet) | Wall Mountable Design (TL-PoE2412G): Computers & Accessories