Purdue University boasts an onsite network operations center that monitors its converged voice, video and data network around the clock and a high-speed research computing network for data-intensive engineering applications. The next step for Purdue in their network evolution was to employ a technology that could make it easier for students and faculty to gain ubiquitous access to the Internet regardless of location on campus. The university chose to deploy a wireless LAN solution.
Deploying 1,100 wireless access points is no easy task, because traditionally, wireless LAN installations have required operating power to be delivered separately to each remote access point. Given the massive quantity of access points that the team wanted to deploy, wiring each one with electrical service, along with Ethernet cabling, would be a timely and costly task.
Furthermore, wireless access points have to be installed in specific locations for proper operation. For instance, to achieve effective area coverage and radio reception, wireless access points are mounted in unique places, such as above the ceiling plates, where it is rare to find an available AC outlet.
Purdue investigated alternatives to traditional power supply for its Cisco 1200 wireless access points. What they discovered was a solution that would use the existing Ethernet cabling to power the access points, saving both time and money in the deployment of the wireless network.

The technology is Power over Ethernet (PoE) and the solution is supplied by PowerDsine, an Israel-based pioneer in the PoE market. Purdue purchased 130 PowerDsine Power over LAN™ 6000 Midspans to power the campus' entire wireless network.
It took roughly one year for the wireless engineering team to deploy the network, which comprises 1,100 wireless access points.

In order to create the most widespread coverage for the wireless network, the team had to mount wireless access points in areas like the hallway ceilings. With PowerDsine's Power over LAN Midspans, the team was able to provide electricity to the access points without having to install all new power points and electrical circuits since none existed in those spots.
Through PowerDsine's Power over LAN solution, Mr. McCoy discovered that his utilization of PoE saved between $350 to $1000 per access point installation by eliminating labor costs incurred from contracting an electrician to run wiring for new AC outlets.