Patent ID: 9176555
Filing Date: 2015-11-03
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A communication device comprising: a power connector; network modules having ports, the ports to provide connection to Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices over an Ethernet network; a power supply unit coupled to the power connector, the power supply unit to provide, an operating power for operation of the network modules of the communication device; and a PoE power for the ports, the PoE power comprising a consumable PoE power for powering the PoE devices, and a leftover PoE power; a transmission line to provide the consumable PoE power from the power connector through the ports and over the Ethernet network to the PoE devices; a first PoE power harvester adapter to harvest the leftover PoE power for converting the leftover PoE power into further operating power for powering at least one additional network module; and a second PoE power harvester adapter, the first and second PoE power harvester adapters providing failover redundancy.