Patent ID: 7002354
Filing Date: 2006-02-21
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A physical layer device that is adapted to communicate with a cable medium and that includes an indicator, comprising: a first input/output terminal; a first transceiver that communicates with said first input/output terminal that is adapted to be connected to the cable medium; a detector that detects a power over Ethernet (POE) device; a power supply; a switching device that selectively provides power from said power supply over the cable medium when said detector detects said POE device; and a cable tester that communicates with said first transceiver, that tests the cable medium and determines a cable status, and that delays testing of the cable medium when said detector detects said POE device until said switching device provides said power, wherein the indicator indicates at least one of cable testing status during said test and said cable status after said test.