POE injector to extend the number of devices

Question

I have a networking problem. I have a network that runs of a POE switch that is routed to a relatively deep chain of POE powered switches that also passthrough POE. The problem becomes that the load on the POE becomes too large.

So to alleviate this issue I would like to put POE injectors at certain locations to "refresh" the power so to speak. But I have no clue if that is possible. I really can't use externally powered POE switches everywhere due to power routing constraints.

Any help is appreciated!

Below is an architecture image what I would like to achieve.

Answer 1

That looks pretty horrible - I don't think any reasonable network engineer would build something like that. Chaining switches is generally considered bad design[*1] and it's aggravated by using PoE.

A (much) better design would be to use a larger PoE switch and run dedicated cabling to each powered device. Even using two or perhaps three PoE switches would definitely improve things.

But if that works you, intermediate injection should work as long as it provides enough power. Depending on the cabling (length and AWG) and the equipment at hand, simple pass-through extenders may also decrease the available voltage to a point that it doesn't meet the specs any more.

[*1] One problem with chaining switches is the large number of single points of failure. Another is that chaining multiplies the switching delay to an amount that it may become noticeable. Also, if you run an STP variant (which is somewhat standard in a professional network), the chain may exceed the protocol's design envelope and the spanning tree may never converge.

Answer 2

(Zac has already covered the insanity of such a design, so I won't repeat it, but I do agree.)

What you have built looks like any telco/cable line power system. When you've gone farther than your ability to transmit power (do to usage and/or distance), you simply put another power inserter. (and a DC block)

In your PoE monster, it doesn't matter where the power comes from. The Powered Devices (PDs) always get power from the directly connected system. (The PSE is always the thing at the other end of the ethernet cable. Where the PSE gets it's power is irrelevant.) You can put a stand-alone "midspan" anywhere you want - just as you can put one anywhere in your switch and patch landscape. The limitations are (1) where there's power to run the PSE ("midspan"), (2) where there's access to the ethernet cable, and (3) where you're close enough to get the necessary power to the PD. (i.e. 60W over 100m is not ideal.) [#1 has brought you to #3, which is going to require fixing #1.]