What design decision could adversely affect the operation of 802.3-2012, Clause 33 APs?

The choice of ensuring that all ports support Class 3 PoE (Power over Ethernet) powered devices can adversely affect the operation of 802.3-2012, Clause 33 Access Points (APs) because it may not provide sufficient power for high-performance APs that require Class 4 PoE. Clause 33 focuses on the need for delivering adequate power for certain types of access points that utilize features requiring more current.

Class 3 PoE is limited to 15.4 watts, which may be insufficient for APs with more advanced specifications or those with high throughput capabilities, especially when multiple radios and additional features are enabled. If the APs require more power and the network design only allows for Class 3 PoE on all ports, this could lead to operational failures or degraded performance, preventing the APs from functioning optimally.

This particular design decision could lead to scenarios where the APs are unable to operate at full capacity or may fail to start up altogether, making it a critical consideration in ensuring network reliability and effectiveness.