Patent ID: 9088434
Filing Date: 2015-07-21
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: operating a first of a plurality of powered devices in a first operating mode, wherein during the first operating mode, the first of the purality of powered devices receives a first level of power from a power sourcing equipment (PSE) switch device, the PSE switch device having a plurality of network ports coupled respectively to the plurality of powered devices via a corresponding plurality of network cables, wherein the first operating mode is associated with a first power configuration of the first of the plurality of powered devices, the first power configuration enabling the first of the plurality of powered devices to support both a primary function and a secondary function; receiving, at a software agent in the first of the plurality of powered devices, a power mode change command from a network management station device using the Simple Network Management Protocol, the network management station device located remote from the PSE switch device, wherein the power mode change command represents a proactive instruction, received prior to mode changing request generated by the first of the plurality of powered devices, that directs a change in operating mode of the first of the plurality of powered devices from the first operating mode to a second operating mode, wherein the second of operating mode provides support for the primary function but not the secondary function; changing, by the software agent in response to the received power change command, a power mode variable in a management information base at the first of the plurality of powered devices; and transitioning, in response to the change of the power mode variable, the first of the plurality of powered devices from the first operating mode to the second operating mode.