Didn’t realize that you could do this remotely.
As long as you have web or ssh access to the switch you should be able to. If it's a non managed switch you can't
My list is similar:
- Ability to use my centralized UPS to power hubs via my network switch.
- Ability to power cycle hubs without having to get on a ladder.
- The physical location of one of my hubs does not have an available AC power connection.
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I was going to buy a Hubitat C-8 Pro to upgrade my C-5, but I decided against it because there is no POE support and my C-5 is still working great. Maybe they will finally add it to the next "pro" version and then maybe I'll upgrade.
It's been a major requested feature for years. I was pretty surprised when the C-8 Pro came out without POE support given how many times a year people ask for it and even say they're willing to pay more for it. So then the "cost more" version came out without it? Weird...
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Im not going to pick apart every comment. PoE is not some deep dark-arts networking fu. Its common. Especially to people building automation. Most PoE is Active and auto negotiates the voltage. Stepping that down to 5v from 12v is not a monumental engineering effort either. Its as plug and play as USB now, with few exceptions. 802.3. The argument of no one wants it and they would have to buy new switches etc is whatever. If it gets built in, great. If you dont have a PoE switch, great. Or if hubitat would just step in and say "We offer the following PoE splitter, tested, working with C8 etc" great.
Instead there are hundreds of posts relating to issues with splitters, requests for official support in the next versions, arguments over the virtues of it... discussions abound. I just cannot see it adding more than 20$ to the overall cost of the hardware and we are not poors automating our one lightbulb. The people who cannot fathom PoE are not using hubitat anyways, they are using Hue Hub and Alexa and Google cloud crap. They are way into Best Buy and posting their lunch on IG. No one capable of using a Hubitat to any effect is incapable of understanding the benefit of being able to locate the device in the CENTER of their home, behind a couch or in a drop ceiling or anywhere and needing only a cat5 run to do it. Even with a little injector if they, god forbid, dont have a PoE switch. This is all just silly. No PoE isnt a deal breaker for me either, but the BS about it is just disingenuous. It reeks of Apple elitism.
But... I really think it would be nice to see it run off PoE native. I just want it to be better. It really ties the rooms together.
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IMO its ALL about the centralizing the location of the Hub. You can easily run 150' of cat5 to a crawl space/attic/drop ceiling/whatever and stick it there where it will work well. But you need a Plug socket. The horror. Get out your extension cords. Now its a PITA. if only there were a way to send Power over an Ethernet cable...
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I have a couple POE texas splitters and a couple Utronics Spliiters, both function just fine for me without any issues.
I won't mention names, but one of them actually suggested POE splitters when the C* was initially released and people were questioning why POE wasn't part of it.
Maybe officially they don't, but they also don't go out of their way to dissuade people from using them.
For me, it is lack of outlets (even with a power strip). POE just made it easier and cleaner. half the number of cords in the equipment closet, and no clusters of adapter blocks taking up space.
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One reason is because the physical location of an electrical outlet isn't necessarily the optimal location for the hub. I would think that's a fairly common situation. So you have three choices:
- locate the hub in a less-than-optimal location where AC power is available
- locate the hub in the optimal location and install an electrical outlet there
- locate the hub in the optimal location, run an ethernet cable and use POE
Even if you have the knowledge and skills to install an electrical outlet, it's a lot easier to run an ethernet cable.
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You may have people who agree with you, but the way your deliver your messages is going to be off putting to most. You’re coming into this thread extremely hot, to a bunch of other users, that have absolutely no power. I think in life you’ll find more success coming in a little more neutral and less aggressive.
Good luck!
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There is no doubt that for users that have the gear already it would be a awesome option. The problem is it seems like so many folkS seem to forget POE isn't common. For it to make sense to include it it would practically need to be a given for everyone to use. It isn't and i would be willing to bet the % that could even support POE in there homes is in the single digits if not one or two percent. So basically you are asking the rest of the community to subsidize your want. Also the talk of central location doesn't make that much sense these are mesh systems.
Poe also isn't as simple as folks seem to want to make it sound. I have watched a few launches of poe headers for pi's, and there seems to always be some kind of issue, and so my take away is this discussion is oversimplifing the ask as well.
Yeah... Your not wrong. I realized later that this is home for some of these people. Im sorry. I only go at 2 speeds.
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OMG...you guys are all still here??!!
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Keep in mind the power coming over the Ethernet cable is separated by a splitter into two outputs:
- Data
- Power
So I assume its simple for the PoE "combiner" aka power source to switch the power off, delay then back on.
As I'm reading the responses they reminded me of a conversation I had with someone from one of the data center structure company. i.e. racks, cable (they make cable), interconnect panel etc.
They are upgrading to high bay LED lights. They are using PoE for the lighting power. I know folks are going to say "BS" lights need too much power, but is installed and functional right now.
Also consider wiring in homes in 5 - 10 or some number of years. With all lighting going to LED and LEDs are DC current devices, it only makes sense to make some major changes.
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In fairness the OP said it was a rant. And he didn't lie. It was a rant++, super rant. Rant Max Pro. For the record, I think POE would be nice, but not a hill for me to die on.
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This thread was split off from another that the OP thread jacked. And given an appropriate title by a mod, IMO.
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I just want everyone to admit there's a hill... and that it's only a hill, not a mountain. I dont care about the snark on the thread title. PoE is going to be ubiquitous soon, its a standard. I didnt make it up! Likewise I dont give a ■■■■ if they EVER add it. I can build anything. I can make something better but Hubitat is not mine and I cant make it better.
Im not buying that Hubitat users are too stupid to make use of it. Im not cool with the flippant comments of the Official Mouthpiece telling me to "go buy a cheap splitter" then remaining officially silent while hundreds and hundreds of posts ruminate on the problems created by the aforementioned splitters. Arguments that people would need to buy new switches are also just smoke. The hardware is not resilient. C8 was plagued by problems. Oh three's a new C8? huh. C8 Pro you say? Are the memory chips the same? they are not. Neither is the processor. Form factor? Same... So were there tons of threads about running low on resources? No. Less than a year later, in keeping with tradition... No.
I call STUFF where I see it. Comin' in HOT. Heads up incoming STUFF
Time to shut this one down...
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sure be my guest have the last word.
He will. It's become an unproductive thread and it's devolved.
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