Achieve Better Power Efficiency with Insights into PoE Usage

Summary

In this Cisco Catalyst Center training video, Krishna Diwakar explores Power over Ethernet (PoE), highlighting its ability to power devices like cameras and access points through standard Ethernet cables, enhancing flexibility and efficiency in network installations. The video delves into PoE's challenges, such as power budgeting and device compatibility, and introduces the Catalyst Center's intuitive PoE dashboard. This dashboard simplifies PoE management, aids in fault detection, and supports sustainability goals by estimating power savings from access points in power save mode. Viewers are guided through the dashboard's features, including monitoring power usage, identifying free PoE ports, and understanding PoE device distribution across the network.

Takeaways

• 🔌 PoE (Power over Ethernet) is a game-changing technology that powers devices like cameras and access points through the same Ethernet cables used for data transmission.
• 🔄 PoE offers flexibility and efficiency in network installations by eliminating the need for separate power sources and connections for each device.
• 🔋 The power budgeting in PoE is crucial as switches have a limited amount of power they can supply, and different devices require different power levels.
• 🔍 Device compatibility with PoE is essential to ensure that the switch can deliver the necessary power without exceeding its limits.
• 🚨 Fault detection in PoE is important for quickly identifying issues like power outages or devices drawing excess power, allowing for proactive measures.
• 📊 The Catalyst Center's PoE dashboard simplifies management by providing information on power usage, available PoE ports, power distribution, and operational state.
• 🌿 The Catalyst Center supports sustainability goals by estimating power savings when access points are run in power save mode.
• 🖥️ To access the PoE dashboard, log into the Catalyst Center, navigate through the Assurance menu, and select PoE.
• 📈 The dashboard includes various dashlets that provide insights into PoE devices and switches, including the number of devices, power allocation, and device status.
• 🔗 The dashboard allows for detailed device information, such as type, connected switch, and power allocation, with options to take action on specific ports.
• 📊 The power distribution dashlet shows how power is allocated across PoE devices, and the PoE Insights dashlet provides information on device types and their capabilities.
• 🔌 The dashboard helps administrators identify free PoE ports and switches capable of providing the required power for new devices.
• 💡 Dashlets also assist in tracking sustainability efforts, such as the number of APs that can run in power-saving mode and the power saved as a result.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the Cisco Catalyst Center training video?

The main topic of the video is Power over Ethernet (PoE), focusing on how it simplifies PoE management and increases efficiency using the intuitive PoE dashboard.

What does PoE stand for and what is its significance in network installations?

PoE stands for Power over Ethernet, a technology that delivers DC power over standard copper Ethernet cabling to power devices like cameras and access points, bringing flexibility and efficiency to network installations.

What is the key advantage of using PoE technology in network deployments?

The key advantage of PoE is its ability to reduce the need for separate power sources and connections, allowing for easier deployment of devices without worrying about their proximity to power outlets.

What are some of the challenges associated with PoE?

Challenges with PoE include power budgeting, where switches have a limited amount of power they can supply, and device compatibility, ensuring the PoE switch can deliver necessary power without exceeding limits.

What is the importance of fault detection in PoE monitoring?

Fault detection in PoE monitoring is crucial for quickly identifying issues such as power outages or devices drawing excess power, making it easier for administrators to take proactive measures.

How does the Catalyst Center PoE dashboard help with sustainability goals?

The Catalyst Center PoE dashboard helps with sustainability goals by providing estimated power savings when access points are run in power save mode, thus contributing to energy efficiency.

What information can be found on the PoE dashboard of the Catalyst Center?

The PoE dashboard provides information such as power usage, the number of PoE ports available, power distribution, operational state, and insights on supported platforms and minimum IOS-XE versions.

How can the PoE dashboard help in identifying the number of PoE devices in a network?

The first dashlet on the PoE dashboard provides information about the number of PoE devices in the network, allowing users to click for more details about connected devices, their types, connected switches, and allocated power.

What actions can be taken on a PoE port through the Catalyst Center device 360 page?

On the device 360 page, users can click on the PoE option to find more information about the PoE status on the switch and use the port reset button to shut down or bring up the port.

How does the Catalyst Center help in identifying free PoE ports and their power capabilities?

Administrators can easily identify free PoE ports and their power capabilities by clicking on the power usage dashlet, which shows the available power budget and current allocation, making it simple to find a switch that can provide the required power.

What information does the PoE Insights dashlet provide about the types of PoE devices in the network?

The PoE Insights dashlet provides information about the types of PoE devices in the network, such as whether they are IEEE compliant, capable of Fast-PoE, and other relevant characteristics.

Outlines

00:00

🔌 Introduction to Power over Ethernet (PoE)

This paragraph introduces the Cisco Catalyst Center training series on industrial switching, presented by Krishna Diwakar. It outlines the main focus of the video: exploring Power over Ethernet (PoE), its benefits, challenges, and the PoE dashboard. PoE is described as a game-changing technology that allows devices like cameras and access points to be powered through Ethernet cables, enhancing network installation flexibility and efficiency. The paragraph also touches on the importance of power budgeting, device compatibility, and fault detection in PoE management.

05:02

📊 PoE Dashboard Features and Network Management

In this paragraph, the script delves into the features of the PoE dashboard within the Catalyst Center. It explains how the dashboard simplifies PoE management by providing insights into power usage, PoE port availability, power distribution, and operational states. The dashboard also supports sustainability goals by estimating power savings from access points in power save mode. The paragraph guides users through accessing the PoE dashboard, selecting sites and timeframes, and using various dashlets for detailed information on PoE devices and switches. It also discusses the ability to identify free PoE ports and the power allocation made to devices, as well as how the dashboard helps in achieving sustainability goals by displaying the number of APs in power-saving mode and the power saved.

Keywords

💡Power over Ethernet (PoE)

Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a technology that allows network cables to be used to transmit electrical power, in addition to data signals, to network devices such as cameras and access points. It is a game changer in the field of industrial switching as it simplifies network installations by eliminating the need for separate power sources and connections for each device. In the video, PoE is highlighted as a key technology that brings flexibility and efficiency to network deployments, enabling devices to be powered through the same cables that transmit data.

💡Technical Marketing Engineer

A Technical Marketing Engineer is a professional who combines technical expertise with marketing skills to promote and explain complex products or technologies to potential customers. In the video, Krishna Diwakar, a Technical Marketing Engineer at Cisco, introduces the topic and guides the audience through the features and benefits of PoE and the Cisco Catalyst Center dashboard.

💡Poe Dashboard

The PoE Dashboard is an intuitive interface within the Cisco Catalyst Center that simplifies the management of Power over Ethernet devices. It provides users with a visual representation of PoE management, making it easier to monitor and control power distribution and device status. In the script, the dashboard is presented as a tool that helps increase efficiency and simplifies PoE management.

💡Power Budgeting

Power budgeting refers to the process of allocating and managing the limited amount of power that PoE switches can supply to connected devices. Different devices have different power requirements, and accurate power budgeting is crucial to ensure that the switch does not exceed its power limits. In the video, power budgeting is identified as a fundamental challenge in PoE, emphasizing the importance of calculating the power needs of devices.

💡Device Compatibility

Device compatibility in the context of PoE means ensuring that the PoE switch can deliver the necessary power to a device without exceeding the switch's power limits. Understanding the power requirements of each device is essential for successful PoE deployment. The script mentions device compatibility as an essential aspect of PoE monitoring to guarantee that devices are powered correctly and safely.

💡Fault Detection

Fault detection in PoE systems involves quickly identifying issues such as power outages or devices drawing excess power. Rapid fault detection allows administrators to take proactive measures to resolve issues. The video script highlights the importance of fault detection for maintaining the reliability and efficiency of PoE networks.

💡Catalyst Center

The Catalyst Center is a platform that provides a rich dashboard for managing and monitoring PoE in a network. It offers insights into power usage, the number of PoE ports available, power distribution, and the operational state of devices. The script describes the Catalyst Center as a tool that simplifies PoE monitoring and helps in achieving sustainability goals by estimating power savings.

💡Sustainability Goals

Sustainability goals in the context of the video relate to the environmental and energy efficiency objectives of an organization. The Catalyst Center helps in achieving these goals by providing information on power savings, such as when access points are run in power save mode. The script mentions sustainability goals to illustrate how the Catalyst Center can contribute to an organization's commitment to environmental responsibility.

💡Dashlets

Dashlets are small, interactive widgets within the PoE dashboard that provide specific information about different aspects of the PoE network. They offer insights into the number of PoE devices, power distribution, device types, and power usage. In the script, dashlets are used to demonstrate how the PoE dashboard conveys detailed information about the network's PoE status and performance.

💡Power Save Mode

Power save mode is a setting on devices, such as access points, that allows them to reduce power consumption when not in active use. The Catalyst Center can provide information on the number of access points capable of running in power save mode and estimate the power savings achieved by doing so. The script uses power save mode as an example of how the Catalyst Center can assist with sustainability and energy efficiency.

💡Device 360 Page

The Device 360 page is a specific section within the Catalyst Center that provides comprehensive information about a particular device, including its PoE status. It includes details about PoE interfaces, connected devices, and power allocation. The script mentions the Device 360 page as a resource for administrators to find more information about PoE devices and take actions such as port reset.

Highlights

Introduction to Power over Ethernet (PoE) as a game-changing technology for powering devices over Ethernet cables.

PoE's ability to reduce the need for separate power sources and connections, enhancing network installation flexibility.

The importance of power budgeting in PoE, given the limited power supply of PoE switches and varying power needs of devices.

Device compatibility as a fundamental challenge in PoE to ensure the switch can deliver necessary power without exceeding limits.

The necessity of fault detection in PoE monitoring to quickly identify issues like power outages or excessive power draw.

Catalyst Center's PoE dashboard as a tool for simplifying PoE management and increasing efficiency.

Dashboard features providing information on power usage, PoE port availability, power distribution, and operational state.

How Catalyst Center supports sustainability goals by estimating power savings from running access points in power save mode.

Guidance on accessing the PoE dashboard in the Catalyst Center through the Assurance menu.

Insights on supported platforms and minimum IOS-XE versions required for PoE dashboard functionality.

Dashlets on the PoE dashboard providing detailed information about PoE devices and switches in the network.

The ability to identify faulty or power denied devices and navigate to the device 360 page for more information.

Information on PoE interfaces, connected devices, types, and power allocation available on the device 360 page.

Power distribution insights and identification of IEEE compliant PoE devices with Fast-Poe capabilities.

Visualization of power usage and allocation across PoE devices to understand the current load.

Identification of free PoE ports in the network to connect new devices without manual switch checks.

Sustainability dashlets providing information on the number of APs capable of running in power saving mode and the power saved.

Categorized and displayed data for effective management of PoE in the network using the Catalyst Center.

Transcripts

Welcome to the Cisco Catalyst Center training series for

industrial switching.

My name is Krishna Diwakar, Technical Marketing Engineer for

Industrial Switching at Cisco.

In today's video, we will be diving into the world of Power

over Ethernet and will take a look at our intuitive Poe

dashboard.

We will also learn how the dashboard simplifies PoE

management and helps to increase efficiency.

Before we proceed, let's take a quick look at what PoE is all

about.

In recent times, PoE has been a game changer technology in how

we power our devices over the Ethernet cables.

This brings flexibility and efficiency to our network

installations.

This technology delivers DC power over standard copper

Ethernet cabling.

This means you could power your devices like cameras, access

points, etc, through the cable that transmits the data.

The key advantage here lies in its ability to reduce the need

for separate power sources and connections.

Imagine a scenario deploying an IP camera without having to

worry about the proximity to the power outlet.

Though PoE offer a lot of benefits, it's not free from

challenges.

One of the fundamental challenges in PoE is power

budgeting.

PoE switches have limited amount of power they can supply to its

connected devices and also different devices use different

power levels.

So the calculation becomes really important.

Next comes the device compatibility.

Understanding the device compatibility is essential to

make sure the PoE switch can deliver the necessary power

without exceeding its limits.

One of the major requirements in the PoE monitoring is fault

detection.

What we mean by fault detection is how quickly we identify

issues such as power outages or the devices drawing excess

power.

The quicker we identify the faults, it becomes easier for

the admins to take proactive measures.

PoE monitoring becomes easier with the Catalyst Center.

It has a rich dashboard that can provide you with information

such as power usage, the number of PoE ports available, Power

Distribution, and the operational state.

Every organization today has a sustainability goal.

Catalyst Center helps you in that aspect as well.

It can provide you the estimated power savings when you run the

access points in the power save mode.

Let's now login to the Catalyst Center and see these things in

action.

Once you are logged into the Catalyst Center, click on the

hamburger menu, choose Assurance and then PoE.

This will bring up the PoE dashboard page.

The first thing you would need to do is choose the site you are

interested in and the time frame.

The page also provides you with the insights on the supported

platforms and the minimum IOS-XE versions needed.

Down below you have various dashlets providing information

about the PoE in your network.

The top ones are specific to the PoE devices and the ones in the

bottom are specific to the switches powering them.

The first dashlet provides you the information about the number

of PoE devices in your network.

You could click here to find more information about the

connected devices like the device type, the switch they are

connected to, and the power allocated to them.

If there are any devices in your network which are either faulty

or in power denied state, that would show up here.

You could also click on the switch name here which would

take you to the device 360 page.

Once you are on the device 360 page, you could click on the PoE

option to find more information about the PoE status on the

switch.

There is a table below which would give you information about

the PoE interfaces, the connected devices, the type, and

the amount of power allocated to them.

You could also click on the port reset button here which would

take you to this page where you can take some action on the port

like shut them down or bring it up.

The next tile gives you the information about how the power

is distributed across the power devices.

There is also a tile for Poe Insights which gives you the

information about the type of PoE devices you have in your

network like the ones which are IEEE compliant, which are

capable of Fast-Poe and so on.

Down below you have the tiles providing you the information

about the switches powering these devices.

With the power usage dashlet you could find out the amount of

power budget available and the allocation that is currently

made.

The next tile talks about how the load is distributed among

the switches available in your site.

Traditionally, administrators found it difficult to identify

the free PoE ports available in your network.

You would have to login to each and every switch to find out the

power budget and the allocation available.

Consider a situation where you have a 60 Watt device to be

connected to your site.

You could just come in here, click on this chart and easily

identify the switch that is capable of providing the power.

As we discussed earlier, there are also dashlets that help you

out with the sustainability goals.

For instance, this dashlet here can give you the information

about the number of AP's you have in your network that can

run in power saving mode.

The next dashlet here gives you the information about the amount

of power that was saved by running those AP's in the power

saving mode.

The collected data is then categorized and displayed.

This is how you would manage the PoE in your network using the

Catalyst Center.

Hope you found this information useful and thank you for

watching.