USFF PC with Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) supply

[nmasse-itix]

Hello,

I'm looking for a small PC (USFF / Tiny-Mini-Micro) that can be powered using Power-Over-Ethernet (POE). I would like to stick with the x86 architecture.

The goal is to put the server in a closet where there is no power socket but Ethernet cable is available. I can use a "POE to USB-C splitter" if the device does not natively supports PoE.

So far, I found only a MeLE Quieter4C Mini PC on Amazon that claims supporting USB-C with PD (in).

Do you know other small x86 PCs that could be powered using PoE ?

Thanks !

Nicolas

 

[SnJ9MX]

If you want to get fancy, you could do POE to 12V or similar and use that to feed a battery charger and then run your PC off the battery. That would, in theory, allow your PC to temporarily consume more power than POE can provide which I'd guess is somewhat essential. Even the low power stuff can spike. Don't have POE specs memorized but I think 15W is a limit for one of the variants. Plenty of PCs idle under 15W, but they can and do spike above that.

Think of it as a POE fed UPS.

 

[j_h_o]

I've never done it, but I wonder if a PoE 802.3bt splitter (90w output to USB-C) + a USB-C to TinyMiniMicro USB-C power trigger would work...?

Something like 90W USB Type-C High Power PoE Splitter - Powering 802.3bt Type 4 PD Devices - Coolgear
and
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805795729998.html or https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804918549306.html (the Lenovo square head version)

I've used the triggers on a 135w USB-C power supply to run the TMMs, so the question is if you can get a 802.3bt splitter that will offer 20V@4-5A.