Most of 802.11ac APs requires more power for PoE. The standard 802.3af isn’t enough for the newer APs, due to higher MIMO gain requirements.
If the AP was booted with 802.3af, it will run in a power save mode. For different types of APs, there are different features, which will be disabled. The end users may also complain about slower performance.
Another element of the game is LLDP, which should be enabled in the switch. Without it, APs may run in 802.3af only.
For Aruba OS 8.X, there is a command to check, in which PoE mode the AP booted:
ap# show ap debug system-status | beg Power ... Power Status ------------ Item Value ---- ----- Power Supply : POE-AF LLDP Power : 0.0W Current Operational State : USB power disabled; 2.4GHz radio: 1x1 18dBm, 5GHz radio: 16dBm ...
In this example LLDP was disabled by mistake. After enabling the output changes:
ap# show ap debug system-status | beg Power ... Power Status ------------ Item Value ---- ----- Power Supply : POE-AT LLDP Power : Successfully negotiated at 25.0W Current Operational State : No restrictions (Overridden by LLDP) ...
The AP will also flash with the amber color in the left LED in the front panel.
| LED | Color/State | Meaning |
| System Status(Left) | Off | AP powered off |
| Green/Amber-Alternating | Device booting; not ready | |
| Green- Solid | Device ready | |
| Amber- Solid | Device ready; power-save mode (802.3af PoE):
· Single radio · USB disabled |
|
| Green or Amber-Flashing | Restricted mode:
· Uplink negotiated in sub optimal speed; or · Radio in non-high throughput (HT) mode |
|
| Red | System error condition | |
| Radio Status(Right) | Off | AP powered off, or both radios disabled |
| Green- Solid | Both radios enabled in access mode | |
| Amber- Solid | Both radios enabled in monitor mode | |
| Green/Amber-Alternating | One radio enabled in access mode, oneenabled in monitor mode |
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