PoE (which stands for Power over Ethernet) is a standard established in the early 2000s that provides the convenience of eliminating power cables for low voltage devices by providing power through network cables. In order for PoE to work, the device that is powered by PoE must support the same standard as the PoE switch that is connected to the device. The switch hardware must also be configured to provide PoE service, which may require upgrading power supplies and/or port modules. PoE lowers the total cost of network installation and maintenance and is easy to enable on a Cisco 2960 switch in just a few minutes.
Type «enable» at the command prompt, and then tap the «Enter» key.
Enter the Privileged Exec password when requested at the command prompt, and tap the «Enter» key. Then enter «configuration terminal» at the command prompt, and tap the «Enter» key.
Type «interface fastethernet1/2,» replacing the «fastethernet1/2» with the name of an interface in which you wish to enable PoE, and then tap the «Enter» key. Then, while in interface configuration mode, type:
power inline auto
and tap the «Enter» key. Repeat this step for each interface in which PoE is required.
Type «end» at the command prompt and tap the «Enter» key.