Patent ID: 8301913
Filing Date: 2012-10-30
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: prior to active use of a wireless access point in supporting one or more mobile devices, establishing an initial power classification that identifies an initial power budget provided by a power sourcing equipment to said wireless access point via a network cable; operating said wireless access point using said initial power budget, said operating supporting a first plurality of mobile devices; during said operation of said wireless access point, determining, by said wireless access point, a request for a new power budget for said wireless access point, said determination being based on at least one parameter that reflects an operating load of said wireless access point in actively supporting said first plurality of mobile devices, said request also including one or more fallback power budgets that represent alternative lower power budgets relative to said new power budget, wherein said determination is based on a mode of operation of said wireless access point, said mode of operation being one of a wireless bridge mode and a repeater mode; and limiting, by said wireless access point, a number of additional mobile devices that can be supported by said wireless access point, wherein said limitation is determined based on allocation by said power sourcing equipment of one of said fallback power budgets.