MX65/W Powered via PoE

[Mr_IT_Guy]

So @NFL0NR found out something very random this morning: a number of our MX devices were able to be powered via PoE from our Meraki Switch.

When plugged into the PoE port (11/12) on the MX device from the PoE on the switch, the MX powered on. We had an Internet uplink in Port 1 and the device was able to completely boot up, grab its config, and be a functioning device in our organization. Not seeing anywhere in the documentation where this was a feature, but we testing it on a number of our devices.

Has anyone else seen this before?

[Raj66]

@Mr_IT_Guy I have never seen anything like this. Is it MX or MR? If it is MX, Did you double check the power cable is unplugged from the MX?

Cheers!

Raj

[BrechtSchamp]

You're absolutely right. I just tested it and it works here too: my MX68CW can be powered by the PoE ports on my MS220-8P, the WAN ports don't support PoE though so in my case I had to connect two cables to the same switch, one for the power and one for the data.

The MX68CW is reported as a 802.3af device:

PoE usage

11.7 W AF (Advertised 16 W AF)

Undocumented feature I guess!

[Mr_IT_Guy]

@Raj66 , it's a MX65W. We made sure that power cable was unplugged. @NFL0NR  can verify!

MX65W with no Power. Notice link light activity on Port 11

[Raj66]

@Mr_IT_Guy @BrechtSchamp @NFL0NR 

Agreed guys, I did further digging regarding this and apparently, this is a thing. So, the MXs are not primarily designed to work on PoE but they do work on PoE. This is the expected behavior, while this works, it is not an officially supported architecture. 

@Mr_IT_Guy Nice discovery 🙂

Cheers!

Raj

[Mr_IT_Guy]

@NFL0NR  deserves all the credit.

[SoCalRacer]

Mountain Dew! A must for IT people

[NFL0NR]

Diet...  I'm trying to watch my girlish figure 😉  (no offense ladies)

[NFL0NR]

@Raj66    Should this work off ANY PoE devices or only Meraki Switches?  We tried an HP PoE and it didn't work..  thus the reason for the question.

[Raj66]

@NFL0NR Does the HP switch support 802.3at (poe+)? It "might (I am so tempted to say should here)" work with any device which supports 802.3at. 

[NFL0NR]

I'm sure.  It's sitting on my desk.  And I discovered it by unplugging the power cord.

[Nash]

Oh, I'm trying this on my CMNA kit as soon as I get home.

I am genuinely scared of telling my coworkers for fear that the non-networkers will... try... things... that we don't want them to do, when they're on client sites.

[PhilipDAth]

OMG.  I would give you more kudos if I could.

[dalmiroy2k]

I'm gonna try the same with MX64 and post results. It would be great as it would spare one power outlet from my overcrowded UPS.

EDITED: No luck with MX64 so far  😞

[ww]

2 years later.. im like,  does this thing has a accu

so.. mx68w can also do this.

[KarstenI]

just saw this discussion, sadly I had no luck with my MX68 and also not with the Z3 ... 😞