Compute Module IO Board with PoE - Development Breakout Board

In this review of the Compute Module IO Board with PoE, the bottom line is straightforward: this board is built for engineers and makers who need a flexible breakout for Raspberry Pi Compute Modules and reliable power delivery over Ethernet. The reviewer found the board especially useful for headless or remote deployments because the onboard PoE support removes the need for separate DC wiring, while the many interfaces make it easy to test HATs, cameras and displays. For developers seeking a compact evaluation platform that mirrors end-product features, this board delivers practical utility without unnecessary extras.

Key Features

• PoE power: Built-in 802.3af PoE support supplies 5V 2.5A output so devices can run and be powered over a single Ethernet cable for tidy installations.
• GPIO breakout: A standard Raspberry Pi GPIO header lets the user connect a wide range of Raspberry Pi HATs for rapid prototyping and testing.
• Multiple USB ports: Four USB ports provide the ability to attach keyboards, storage and other peripherals without extra hubs during development.
• Camera and display interfaces: Dual CSI camera connectors plus onboard HDMI and DSI give flexible options for vision and display projects.
• Serial and cooling control: Onboard USB-to-UART simplifies serial debugging and the fan interface allows active cooling that can auto-run or be controlled by IO pins.
• Power design: The isolated SMPS improves reliability and separates power domains to reduce interference in sensitive projects.

Who It's For

This board is aimed at embedded developers, system integrators and advanced hobbyists who plan to evaluate or build products around the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3 family. The PoE feature and the large set of I/O make it a strong choice for networked devices, digital signage, kiosks and camera appliances where single-cable power is valuable.

Those who only need a simple breakout for hobbyist tinkering with a full-size Pi might find this board heavier and more feature rich than necessary; users needing gigabit Ethernet or higher PoE classes should look for a different carrier board tailored to those specific requirements.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Comprehensive I/O including GPIO header and dual CSI ports makes it easy to test many peripherals.
• Onboard PoE and micro USB power options simplify deployment in remote or rack-mounted setups.
• USB-to-UART and multiple USB host ports streamline development and peripheral testing.
• Isolated SMPS and a fan interface improve reliability for continuous operation.

Cons

• Ethernet is 10/100M only, so projects that require gigabit speeds will need a different solution.
• Designed specifically for Compute Module 3 series, so it is not directly compatible with other module generations.

Specifications

Supported modules	Raspberry Pi CM3 / CM3L / CM3+ / CM3+L
Power input	micro USB port or PoE Ethernet port (37V ~ 57V DC in)
PoE output	5V 2.5A DC out, 802.3af standard
Network	10/100M auto-negotiation Ethernet port
USB	4x USB ports
Video and camera	Onboard HDMI, DSI and 2x CSI camera interfaces
Other	Onboard USB-to-UART, cooling fan interface, isolated SMPS

Our Verdict

The Compute Module IO Board with PoE is a practical, well-equipped carrier board for anyone developing with the Compute Module 3 family; its PoE, extensive I/O and development conveniences like USB-to-UART offer good value for product evaluation and small-scale deployments. Choose this board when you need tidy power-over-network installations and flexible peripheral access, but pick a different carrier if you require gigabit networking or support for other compute module generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the board provide power over Ethernet?
Yes, it supports 802.3af PoE with 37V to 57V input and provides a regulated 5V 2.5A output to the compute module.

Which compute modules are supported?
The board is designed for Raspberry Pi Compute Module CM3, CM3L, CM3+ and CM3+L.

Can I use the board to debug with a serial console?
Yes, the onboard USB-to-UART interface allows easy serial debugging of the compute module.