CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question

Correct answer & explanation

Option 1 is correct because the IEEE 802.3af PoE standard specifies a maximum power delivery of 15.4 watts per port at the PSE (Power Sourcing Equipment), with a minimum of 12.95 watts guaranteed at the PD (Powered Device) after cable losses. Option 2 is correct because the IEEE 802.3at PoE+ standard increases the maximum power per port to 30 watts at the PSE, with 25.5 watts available at the PD. Option 4 is correct because PDs can negotiate power requirements using LLDP with the IEEE 802.1AB LLDP-MED (Media Endpoint Discovery) extensions, which include PoE TLV (Type-Length-Value) fields for power negotiation beyond the simple classification method. Option 3 (both PoE and PoE+ use the same four pairs) is incorrect because both standards deliver power over only two pairs (spare or data pairs depending on mode); four-pair power delivery is introduced in IEEE 802.3bt (PoE++). Option 5 (PoE+ requires Category 3 cabling) is incorrect because PoE+ requires at least Category 5e cabling to support the higher power levels without excessive heat or signal degradation. Option 6 (PoE automatically disables power if a non-PoE device is detected) is incorrect because the PSE first performs a detection phase to identify a valid PoE signature; if none is found, power is never applied—so it is not disabled after being enabled.

Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.