A system and method configured to improve the function of a network of Power Over Ethernet (POE) devices. The system and method is configured such that a digital video recorder (DVR) actively monitors the POE devices using the POE device application programming interface (API). The DVR, in response to a POE failure or non-responsive POE status may automatically power cycle the port of the network switch corresponding to the POE device, or may power cycle (reboot) the network switch. The system and method also may notify a remote user through a wide area network (WAN) and remote monitor, allowing the remote user to alternatively manually power cycle the network switch and/or the POE(s) ports.