POE Switch - Status "Searching" or "delivering" error?

It would seem that "searching" with this device means it's looking for something to actually connect to on that port. Are the ports it's "searching" on empty? If not, this could indicate cable problems as well as a problem with the switch itself. You want to run a quick cable test on the ports in question to make sure you don't have any damaged/broken pairs.

As I'm not 100% sure the error you're getting, have a look at this link as well to see if it pertains to the issue you're having:

https://www.sourceonetechnology.com/insufficient-power-allocation-error-message-on-hp-switches/

Try this command.. it should make the switch calculate on actual usage rather than LLDP values:

no lldp config 1-24 dot3TlvEnable poe_config

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All ports on the switch are in use at this time. We are experiencing issues with a new migration to VOIP and this has lead me down a rabbit-hole in troubleshooting which is where I noticed this issue. We don't have any issues with the devices connected to the switch other than the phones which may or may not be related to what I am seeing?

That might provide some clarity. What type of phones are they?

Is there any downside or possible issues that could occur by making the switch calculate other than the LLDP value? Will I have devices unable to connect?

Polycom VVX 411  for service with Vonage

Is there any downside or possible issues that could occur by making the switch calculate other than the LLDP value? Will I have devices unable to connect?

The only time you might have a worry is if somehow devices were using considerable more power than they require for operation. That would hold true as a concern if the total PoE requirements of the devices was extremely close to the total amount of power the switch could budget.

I am attempting to run command provided but getting error INVALID INPUT : LLDP

OK. By the way, could you take a look at the event logs on the switch?

Also, try this command (I got this from the link William provided):

show power-over-ethernet

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It's very possible that the reason you're seeing "searching" is because of the issue described in the article I posted above. There's an issue that pertains to HP switches in that product line where they will sometimes claim they're at power cap even when your physical devices are pulling fractions of the allotment.

I am attempting to disable LLDP to get actual usage but anytime using LLDP command per references above I get "invalid input" message

Ok, figured that last error out....I was not in config mode...was able to disable per port. Can someone give me a brief overview of the different types of POE that can be configure for a port? I see two possibles listed as enabled or disabled. POE LLDP MED or DOT3.

LLDP-MED is the protocol you need for Telephony and things like that. It's a standard to provide better overall performance in those scenarios. It stands for Media Endpoint Discovery and basically means exactly as it reads. As for DOT3, you can have both of these turned on, but DOT3 will take precedence. Basically, you'll want to have LLDP-MED if you're using this switch for a phone system.

http://h17007.www1.hpe.com/device_help/hpj8697a/Interface/POE/Details/POEDetails.htm - Short descriptions of both per HP.

https://networkengineering.stackexchange.com/questions/1280/difference-between-lldp-and-lldp-med - LLDP vs LLDP-MED and their function.

Thanks for the info William. One additional question...Would our choice of LLDP vs LLDP-MED also depend on whether we are using hosted VOIP solution where PBX is in cloud and not on-site?

LLDP-MED would still be beneficial to you as you still have your VOIP system running off of the switches. LLDP-MED also facilitates the send/receive of VOIP-related signal information over the network. An excerpt from an article regarding LLDP-MED:

"LLDP-capable devices periodically transmit information in messages called Type Length Value (TLV) fields to neighbor devices. This information includes chassis and port identification, system name, system capabilities, system description and other attributes. LLDP-MED builds upon these capabilities by adding media- and IP telephony-specific messages that can be exchanged between the network and endpoints. The new TLV messages will provide detailed information on Power over Ethernet, network policy, media endpoint location for Emergency Call Services and inventory."

As you can see, LLDP MED is intended to benefit the telephony system in a number of ways. What this excerpt basically means is that you can send certain bursts of data over the network to your POE switches to let them know.. for instance.. where the lifeline phone is in your building. That would then tell the switch to always prioritize power to that device for safety purposes. Which could also mean it will power down devices that it can't provide power to to achieve this goal.