Knowledge Base How Perpetual PoE & Fast PoE of Omada PoE Switches Keep Your Mission-Critical Devices Online
Meta Description: Dreading the next firmware update? Learn how Perpetual PoE and Fast PoE technologies eliminate security blind spots by keeping your IP cameras and VoIP phones powered 24/7—even during reboots and outages.
Why Do Firmware Updates Always Mean "Downtime"?
For IT managers and security integrators, the "maintenance window" is often a source of anxiety. You know you need to patch your core PoE switches to fix bugs or patch security vulnerabilities. But you also know that hitting "Reboot" means cutting power to the entire building's IP surveillance system or Wi-Fi network.
This creates a dangerous security blind spot. For hospitals, banks, and 24-hour facilities, losing camera feeds for 5 minutes during a reboot is simply not an option.
Fortunately, modern enterprise switches have evolved. With High PoE Capability of Omada PoE Switches, specifically Perpetual PoE and Fast PoE, you no longer have to choose between network security and physical security.
1. What is Perpetual PoE? (Updating Without Power Loss)
One of the most common user queries is: "How to keep PoE cameras on during switch reboot?" The answer is Perpetual PoE.
The Problem: On a standard switch, a "Soft Reboot" (triggered by a firmware upgrade or manual command) shuts down the entire system, including the power supply to the ports.
The Solution: Perpetual PoE technology of Omada PoE Switches maintains the power delivery to the PoE ports even when the switch software is reloading.
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The Switch: Reboots and installs updates in the background.
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The Devices (PDs): Cameras continue recording; Wi-Fi APs stay powered.
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The Benefit: You can perform maintenance during business hours without disrupting mission-critical services.
Pro Tip: This feature ensures Zero Downtime for the powered devices, completely eliminating the "reboot gap."
2. What is Fast PoE? (Rapid Recovery After Blackouts)
While Perpetual PoE handles planned maintenance, Fast PoE is your safety net for unplanned disasters, such as a power outage.
The Problem: When power is restored after a blackout, a standard switch takes a long time to boot. It must load the bootloader, kernel, and operating system before it turns on the PoE ports. This delay can leave your facility vulnerable for minutes.
The Solution: Fast PoE of Omada PoE Switches prioritizes power delivery hardware above software.
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Instant Power: Within seconds of connecting to power, the switch activates the PoE ports.
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Parallel Boot: The switch OS loads in the background while your cameras are already booting up.
The Data: According to lab tests, Fast PoE significantly reduces recovery time:
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Standard Switch Recovery: ~2.3 minutes (Cameras offline)
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Fast PoE Switch Recovery: ~1.2 minutes
3. Why Your Business Needs High PoE Capability
If you are managing a Mission-Critical Network, upgrading to Omada PoE switches with these features offers three distinct ROI points:
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Uncompromised Security: Eliminate video loss during maintenance windows.
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Business Continuity: VoIP phones and Wi-Fi networks stay online, keeping employees productive while IT works in the background.
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Operational Efficiency: IT teams can schedule firmware updates flexibly, rather than waiting for "after-hours" overtime shifts.
Conclusion: Don't Let the Reboot Break Your Network
In the modern digital infrastructure, power continuity is just as important as bandwidth. Whether it's for surveillance, access control, or wireless coverage, ensuring your devices stay online is non-negotiable.
When selecting your next switch, look for High PoE Capability of Omada PoE switches with Perpetual and Fast PoE. It’s the smartest way to keep your network secure, resilient, and always on.
Note: Omada PoE Switch support Perpetual and Fast PoE by hardware, and it doesn't need manual configuration.
Some specific model and hardware support Perpetual and Fast PoE, like below.
SG2428LP V1.2
SG2428P V5.4
SG2452LP V1.2
SG3452XMPP V1.2
SG3452XP V2.3
SG2210XMP-M2 V1.2
SG3210XHP-M2 V3.2
SG3218XP-M2 V2
SG3428XPP-M2 V2
SX3206HPP V2