Patent ID: 7895456
Filing Date: 2011-02-22
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling a power over Ethernet system, the method comprising: sequentially powering a plurality of powered devices over communication cabling; determining a first total power consumption responsive to said powering of said plurality of powered devices; disabling, in the event that said determined first total power consumption exceeds a predetermined maximum power level, power from at least one of said powered plurality of powered devices thereby reducing power consumption to less than said predetermined maximum power level; determining the power consumption of said at least one powered device being disabled; defining, responsive to said disabling power, a connection power limit lower than said maximum power level by a guard band, wherein said guard band is a function of said determined power consumption of said at least one powered device being disabled; monitoring a second total power consumption subsequent to said disabling power; and enabling power to a powered device only in the event said monitored second total power consumption is less than said connection power limit.