What is the minimum requirement for a switch to support PoE?

A switch must support PoE (Power over Ethernet) at one of three specified power levels to provide power to connected devices over the Ethernet cabling. The most commonly recognized standards for PoE are IEEE 802.3af, 802.3at, and 802.3bt, which allow switches to deliver different maximum wattages to powered devices.

The 802.3af standard can deliver up to 15.4 watts per port, the 802.3at standard (also known as PoE+) can provide up to 30 watts, and the 802.3bt (or PoE++) can offer up to 60 watts to devices. This capability is essential for powering devices such as IP cameras, VoIP phones, and wireless access points without the need for additional power supplies. Understanding that a switch needs to meet at least one of these standards is crucial for proper network design, especially when incorporating devices that rely on PoE.

The other options do not address the technical specifications necessary for supporting PoE. The requirement for a switch to connect to a power source is a given, as any switch will be powered, but that alone does not ensure it supports PoE standards. Brand does not determine PoE