Two common types you'll encounter are standard Ethernet switches and PoE switches. While both facilitate network connection, they serve distinct purposes and offer different capabilities. Network switches form the backbone of any Local Area Network, or "LAN" (pronounced "lan") for short. On this page you will learn what differentiates a PoE enabled switch from a regular LAN switch, when you should use a PoE switch versus a PoE injector and, what exactly is PoE (Power over Ethernet). Power over Ethernet (PoE) switches combine data and power delivery into a single Ethernet cable, simplifying deployment of devices such as access points, IP cameras, VoIP phones, and IoT equipment. PoE devices consist of power sourcing equipment (PSE) and powered devices (PD) as a rule of thumb.
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