The term ‘Power over Ethernet’ (PoE) refers to a means of providing data and power together to PDs (Powered Devices) with the help of Ethernet cables.
In this, Ethernet cables replace all power cables, making it easier to reach devices that are not easily accessible. With more and more PDs being added to the network, PoEs have seen a lot of innovations over the years.
Key Takeaways
- Cisco UPOE (Ultra Power Over Ethernet) is a technology that delivers up to 60 watts of power to network devices, while POE (Power Over Ethernet) delivers up to 30 watts of power.
- Cisco UPOE is ideal for high-power devices such as video conferencing equipment and wireless access points, while POE is suitable for IP phones and security cameras.
- Cisco UPOE requires a higher power budget and special UPOE switches, while POE is available on most standard Ethernet switches.
Cisco UPOE vs POE+
The difference between Cisco UPOE and POE+ is that UPOE is the third standard on PoE. It is an updated version of POE that was created by Cisco to expand network options and smoothen transitions into smarter or larger networks. POE+ works best when one needs efficiency, while UPOE is used when one needs more power.
Cisco UPOE is an advanced version of Power over Ethernet. Its full form is Universal Power over Ethernet.
On Cat5e cables, it draws power up to 60W. It is double that of POE+, best suited for situations requiring a lot of power. It is also known as POE++.
POE+ stands for Power over Ethernet +. It is a means of transferring data and power over an Ethernet cable. It is more powerful than POE, with a maximum voltage of 25.5W.
It accommodates various functions, such as web cameras, VoIP phones, WLAN access points, or web cameras.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Cisco UPOE | POE+ |
|---|---|---|
| Twisted pair used | 4-pair | 2-pair |
| Standard definition of IEEE | Cisco proprietary | 802.3at |
| Maximum power to PD | 51W | 25.5W |
| Platforms supported | Cisco 4500E, 3850, 3650 models are supported by Cisco UPOE | Cisco 4500E,3650,3850,2960x models are supported by POE+ |
| Maximum power imparted to PSE port | It imparts a maximum of 60W | It imparts a maximum of 30W |
| POE Type Designation | Type 2 | Type 3 |
| Full-Form | It stands for Universal Power over Ethernet. | It stands for Power over Ethernet +. |
What is UPOE?
Universal Power over Ethernet (UPOE), also known as POE+, is the third generation of POE and is offered by Cisco. It imparts up to 60W power to its connected devices.
Cisco developed it to meet the growing need for power. UPOE increased the power imparted per switch interface multifold.
It helps in imparting power to networks in remote devices. For example, in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), one’s laptop operates in a data centre instead of an individual device.
In this, the user can access his profile from any of the devices. Its addition to VDI has greatly increased its movability and reduced costs.
It provides reliable power to a wide range of devices such as LED lights, IP hones, compact switches, virtual desktop terminals, IP turrets, building management gateways, wireless access points, etc.
It is available on Cisco Catalyst 4500E, Cisco Catalyst 3850, and 3650 platforms.
It is a safe, fast, and cost-effective solution for small enterprises. It is the answer to their network needs.
UPOE allows enterprises to upgrade the existing network without any replacement in the present Ethernet switches. Moreover, it allows enterprises to centralize their whole power supply.
Despite using the same cabling as POE, it delivers power over all four of its twisted pairs.
What is POE+?
Updated IEEE 802 3at-2009 Power over Ethernet (POE) is also known as POE+. It is an updated version of POE that imparts power up to 30W to Type 2 devices with an end power of 25.5W.
It works for devices requiring low power, such as security cameras and access points but not for devices like LED lighting or flat-screen displays.
In this, with the help of LAN technology, DC power is provided to endpoints over Ethernet cables.
Power passes from Power Sourcing Equipments to Powered Devices like selling machines, IP phones, card readers, IP cameras, etc.
It was developed to meet the increasing demands for power by consumers. It delivers power with the help of two of the four pairs in the cable.
It is used in a variety of industries, such as hotels, hospitals, retail, and industrial facilities.
There are several benefits of using POE+ over traditional electric wiring. It helps us lower costs, provides better control over the devices connected, and provides options such as scheduled on and off of devices, etc.
There is no need to place the device close to the circuit in this. It improves the management and handling of devices by providing standard powering and removing the need for AC-DC adapters.
Main Differences Between Cisco UPOE and POE+
- The maximum power imparted to powered devices by UPOE is 60W, whereas, in the case of POE+, it is 30W.
- The standard definition of IEEE for UPOE is Cisco proprietary, whereas, in the case of POE+, it is 802.3at.
- The full form of UPOE is Universal Power over Ethernet. On the other hand, the full form of POE+ is Power over Ethernet +.
- In UPOE, all four of the twisted pairs are used, whereas in POE+, only two pairs are used.
- UPOE is supported by Cisco 4500E, 3850, and 3650 models, whereas Cisco 4500E,3650,3850,2960x, supports POE+.
- Maximum power imparted to the PSE port is 60W in the case of UPOE, whereas, for POE+, it is 30W.
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
This article is thoroughly comprehensive and the comparisons are well-detailed
Absolutely! The detailed comparisons of UPOE, POE, and POE+ makes this article stand out.
The comparison between UPOE and POE+ was quite useful. The article presented the differentiation in a very clear manner.
Yes, and the article has done a good job of outlining the main differences.
The article provided valuable detailed information that helped to clarify my understanding of Cisco UPOE.
Indeed, the Cisco UPOE is an essential topic worth understanding deeply. Glad it helped!
Very interesting, I didn’t know that Universal Power over Ethernet (UPOE) is the third generation of PoE
Very true! UPOE is a significant improvement over its predecessors.
The comprehensive comparison table at the end sums up the differences really well. Great article overall.
I was looking for a detailed article about the PoE and UPoE, this article explains it in the best way.
Yes, this article is comprehensive with its detailed comparisons of UPOE,POE and POE+.
I like how the article explained what UPOE and POE+ are and highlighted their applications.
Yes, I second your thoughts. The article has indeed covered the practical applications of both UPOE and POE+ very clearly.
This article clearly explains the concepts of UPOE and POE+, and the comparison table was very helpful for easy understanding.