Airport Extreme: Power Over Ethernet Support?

The Apple Airport Extreme Base Station used to support Power over Ethernet (PoE), which allowed the station to be mounted far away from an outlet and powered by an ethernet data cable. However, the latest Airport Extreme Base Stations have lacked this feature. While there are Power over Ethernet kits available in the market that can be used with the Airport Extreme, it is important to ensure that the power requirements and standards are compatible to avoid any issues or safety hazards.

Power over Ethernet (PoE) kit for Airport Extreme Base Station

The Power over Ethernet (PoE) kit for the Airport Extreme Base Station is a useful solution for powering your base station when it is located far away from a power outlet. PoE allows you to power your base station using just the ethernet data cable, without needing a separate power connection. This can be especially handy in pre-existing buildings where running power for base stations may be challenging or costly.

MacWireless PoE Kit

MacWireless offers a PoE kit that is compatible with the 802.11n Airport Extreme Base Station (AEBS). The kit includes an injector that plugs into a power outlet and a splitter that connects to the AEBS. This setup enables both data and power to be transmitted over a single Cat5 cable, providing flexibility in mounting your base station. The standard kit supports a cable length of up to 330 feet and is priced at $59.98, while a shorter 200-foot range kit is available for $39.98.

Compatibility Considerations

It is important to note that not all Airport Extreme Base Stations support PoE. The white dome-shaped Airport Base Station, an older model, supported PoE. However, newer models have lacked this feature. Additionally, PoE kits are designed for specific AEBS versions, so it is crucial to ensure compatibility before purchasing.

Power Requirements

PoE has power limitations, and the Airport Extreme N, for example, requires 21.6W of power, while most PoE switches provide only 15.4W. This discrepancy means that a standard PoE switch may not be sufficient to power the Airport Extreme N. It is important to carefully consider the power requirements of your base station and ensure that your PoE solution can provide adequate power to avoid any potential issues or safety hazards.

In summary, the Power over Ethernet kit for the Airport Extreme Base Station offers a convenient way to power your base station when it is located away from power outlets. The MacWireless PoE kit is a popular option, but it is important to verify compatibility and consider the power requirements of your specific Airport Extreme model to ensure a safe and functional setup.

Apple Airport Extreme Base Station with PoE

The AirPort Extreme Base Station is a discontinued wireless router developed by Apple Inc. using Wi-Fi protocols. In 2003, Apple introduced the AirPort Extreme, based on the 802.11g specification, which allows for theoretical peak data transfer rates of up to 54 Mbit/s.

The AirPort Extreme Base Station with Power over Ethernet (PoE) and UL 2043 compliance was introduced in April 2004. This version supports Power over Ethernet and complies with UL 2043 specifications for safe usage in air-handling spaces, such as above suspended ceilings.

PoE allows the station to be mounted far away from an outlet, such as on a ceiling, powered only by an ethernet data cable. This is especially useful in pre-existing buildings where running power for base stations might be expensive or impossible.

However, the most recent Airport Extreme Base Stations do not have built-in PoE functionality. MacWireless offers a PoE kit that works with the 802.11n AEBS, allowing both data and power to be sent over a single Cat5 cable.

It is important to note that PoE kits may not be compatible with all Airport Extreme Base Stations due to power requirements. The Airport Extreme N, for example, requires 21.6W of power, while most PoE switches provide only 15.4W.

In conclusion, while Apple has discontinued the AirPort Extreme Base Station and recent models do not have built-in PoE support, PoE kits are available from third-party vendors to enable this functionality. However, users should carefully consider the power requirements of their devices and ensure compatibility with PoE kits to avoid potential issues.

IEEE802.3af standard for PoE

Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a technology that allows devices such as wireless access points, IP cameras, and VoIP phones to receive power and data over the same Ethernet cable. The IEEE 802.3af standard, also referred to simply as PoE, is the initial PoE standard. It allows for a maximum power supply of 15.4 watts to each device. This is enough power for most devices, and it can be more economical due to lower power requirements.

The IEEE 802.3af standard uses a technique called alternative A, which transmits power and data on the same two pairs of wires in the Ethernet cable. This technique is similar to the phantom power technique used for powering condenser microphones. Power is supplied as a common-mode signal over two or more of the differential pairs of wires, with a DC supply on one side and the return on the other. The polarity of the DC supply can be inverted by crossover cables, and the powered device must be able to operate with either pair.

The IEEE 802.3af standard also provides for signaling between the power sourcing equipment (PSE) and the powered device (PD). This allows the power source to detect the presence of a conformant device and negotiate the amount of power required, while also protecting non-compatible devices from damage.

The IEEE 802.3af standard is compatible with the newer IEEE 802.3at standard, also known as PoE+ or PoE Plus, which increased the maximum power supply to 25.5 watts. This allows for higher-power devices such as VoIP phones with LCD screens and video conferencing capabilities.

802.11ac Airport Extreme and PoE

The 802.11ac Airport Extreme is a wireless router by Apple Inc. that combines the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point, and NAS. It was first released in 2013 and is the latest model of the Airport Extreme line, which has since been discontinued.

The 802.11ac Airport Extreme features three-stream 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology with a maximum data rate of 1.3 Gbit/s, which is nearly three times faster than its predecessor, 802.11n. It also supports older standards, including 802.11a/b/g/n.

Now, regarding Power over Ethernet (PoE), the 802.11ac Airport Extreme does not natively support PoE. The power supply for this device expects 100-240V AC and lists the current draw as 1.5 A, which is quite high and not suitable for powering via PoE.

However, it is technically possible to power the 802.11ac Airport Extreme via PoE using a PoE splitter. A PoE splitter can be used to split the power and Ethernet signals, allowing both data and power to be sent over a single Ethernet cable. There are PoE kits available, such as the one offered by MacWireless, that include an injector that plugs into an outlet and a splitter that connects to the Airport Extreme.

It is important to note that most PoE switches provide around 15.4W of power, while the Airport Extreme requires 21.6W. Therefore, sufficient power delivery and compatibility with PoE splitters are important considerations when attempting to power the 802.11ac Airport Extreme via PoE.

Additionally, powering hardware such as routers with PoE carries a risk of fire if the power requirements are not adequately met. As such, it is essential to carefully consider the power specifications and ensure that a suitable PoE solution can provide the required power for the 802.11ac Airport Extreme.

Power supply for PoE

Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a technique for delivering DC power to devices over copper Ethernet cabling, eliminating the need for separate power supplies and outlets. While PoE doesn't add Ethernet data capabilities, it does offer expanded options for how and where Ethernet end devices can be placed.

PoE power comes from a central and universally compatible source and not from a collection of distributed wall adapters. It can be backed up by an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), allowing for continuous operation even during power failures.

The older, white dome-shaped Airport Extreme Base Station supported Power over Ethernet, which allowed the station to be mounted far away from an outlet (e.g. on a ceiling) and powered by just the Ethernet data cable. This was useful for pre-existing buildings where running power for base stations might be expensive or impossible.

The newer Airport Extreme Base Stations have lacked this feature, but third-party PoE kits are available that work with the 802.11n AEBS. These kits contain an injector that plugs into the outlet and a splitter for the other end that goes to the AEBS, allowing both data and power to be sent over a single Cat5 cable.

It is important to note that PoE kits cannot power routing hardware, they are designed to power downstream hardware such as IP phones. Additionally, the power supply for the Airport Extreme Base Station expects 100-240 VAC and lists the current draw as 1.5 A, which is quite high for the heat it puts out.

As such, it is not recommended to attempt to power the Airport Extreme Base Station with a PoE kit, as the risk of fire is high.

Frequently asked questions