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An endspan PoE switch is an Ethernet switch with Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) built in. It sends network data and power over Ethernet cabling to compatible devices, such as cameras, phones, and wireless access points. A midspan instead adds power through a separate injector or hub placed between a non-PoE switch and the powered device.
What “endspan” means in PoE
“Endspan” describes where the power-sourcing equipment sits: inside the Ethernet switch. The switch both connects network devices and supplies PoE power to a compatible powered device (PD). The PSE is the equipment that supplies power; the PD is the equipment that receives it.
The IEEE-hosted presentation labels an endspan a “PoE enabled Ethernet switch” (IEEE 802.3 working group presentation). Cisco’s 2024 training material similarly defines it as a network switch with PoE capabilities that supplies power directly to the end device (Cisco Live, “Basics of Power over Ethernet (PoE)”).
How an endspan differs from a midspan
A midspan is a separate PoE power hub or injector installed between a switch that does not provide PoE and the powered device. It adds power to the Ethernet link; it does not make the original switch an endspan. Microchip describes the distinction as integrated PSE in the switch for endspan, versus a dedicated system connected between a non-PoE switch and the PD for midspan (Microchip Technology, “Learn Power over Ethernet (PoE) Power Interfaces”).
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| Architecture | Where PoE power comes from | When it may fit |
|---|---|---|
| Endspan | The Ethernet switch has PoE PSE functionality built in. | When the installation needs switching and PoE from the same device; verify the switch’s actual port and power specifications. |
| Midspan | A separate injector or power hub between a non-PoE switch and the PD. | When keeping an existing non-PoE switch and adding PoE is the main upgrade. Leviton describes midspans as an option for this kind of network change (Leviton, “Equipment for Delivering PoE: Cable and Connectivity for PoE”). |
These are architecture choices, not universal rankings: a midspan adds another device and link segment, while an endspan supplies power from the switch. The right arrangement depends on the existing network and the installation design.
What the term does—and does not—tell you
“Endspan” tells you that PoE is integrated into the switch. It does not, by itself, identify the IEEE PoE standard, the power available per port, the total PoE budget, or how many ports can supply power. Those are model-specific capabilities. Cisco notes that PSE and PD compatibility matters, and IEEE 802.3 standards govern PoE power capabilities.
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Before connecting devices, compare the switch’s documented PoE standard or class and available power with each device’s requirements. Check both the per-port support and the switch’s total PoE budget: a switch may support PoE but still lack the power needed for a particular device or simultaneous load.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why pairset shorthand is not the definition
Traditional two-pair descriptions often associate endspan power with the data pairset and midspan power with the spare pairset. That shorthand is not a complete definition of the architectures. Microchip’s explanation of four-pair powering describes power using both the data and spare pairsets together. The useful distinction remains the location of the PSE—integrated into the switch or in a separate device—not a single pairset rule.
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