airMAX - Guide to Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) Bridge Scenarios
This article demonstrates four different scenarios for a PoE Bridge with airMAX devices. This article covers different possible combinations using a NanoStation 5AC as an example. Different devices have different power specifications, please remember to always verify powering data in each device's Data Sheet and Quick Start Guides, found in our Downloads page.
- Traditional: Two Devices & Two PoE
- PoE Passthrough: Two Devices & One PoE
- PoE Linking: Two Independently Powered M Devices & One PoE
- PoE Bridge: Two Devices & Two PoE
- PoE Bridge & Passthrough: Three or Four Devices & Two PoE
Traditional: Two Devices & Two PoE
PoE Passthrough: Two Devices & One PoE
This configuration is only possible when the Ubiquiti device has a secondary Ethernet port which can be activated for PoE Passthrough. When enabled, the device allows Power over Ethernet (PoE) power to pass from the main port to the secondary port, thereby powering an additional device.
From within the airOS AC configuration console, navigate to the Settings tab, go to Device and enable PoE Passthrough.
From within the airOS M configuration console, navigate to the Advanced tab, go to Advanced Ethernet Settings and enable PoE Passthrough.
PoE Linking: Two Independently Powered M Devices & One PoE
This is only valid for airMAX M devices. It is a similar configuration to the previous one, but with an added feature. If you power the first radio through the "Secondary" port rather than the "Main" port, power is not lost to the next device if the first radio is rebooted.
Note: For this configuration, do NOT enable PoE Passthrough as referenced in the section above. The PoE Passthrough option must be left unchecked in the Ethernet Settings section.
PoE Bridge: Two Devices & Two PoE
For this configuration, there is no need (and also no possibility) of a switch or router.
PoE Bridge & Passthrough: Three or Four Devices & Two PoE
This configuration is only possible when the Ubiquiti device has a secondary Ethernet port which can be activated for PoE Passthrough. When enabled, the device allows Power over Ethernet (PoE) power to pass from the main port to the secondary port, thereby powering an additional device.
From within the airOS AC configuration console, navigate to the Settings tab, go to Device and enable PoE Passthrough.
From within the airOS M configuration console, navigate to the Advanced tab, go to Advanced Ethernet Settings and enable PoE Passthrough.
Note: We recommend upgrading the PoE power supply to a model that outputs 24Watts like the POE-24-24W (100Mbps) or POE-24-24W-G (1Gbps) when powering a second unit via PoE Passthrough.
