Patent ID: 7549067
Filing Date: 2009-06-16
Classification: G06F,H04L,Y02D

Abstract:
1. A power sourcing equipment (PSE) configured for being operatively coupled to a plurality of powered devices (PDs), the PSE comprising: a plurality of power over ethernet (PoE) ports, wherein each of the ports is configured for receiving one or more protocol data units (PDUs); a classifier configured for associating at least one of a plurality of power allocation policies with each port of the plurality of ports based on the one or more PDUs received on the respective ports and for assigning a respective power priority level derived from the associated at least one power allocation policy thereto; and a power manager configured for selectively allocating power to each of the plurality of ports in accordance with the associated at least one power allocation policy, wherein selectively allocating power to each of the plurality of ports in accordance with the associated at least one power allocation policy includes receiving the respective power priority level from the classifier and selectively allocating power to each of the plurality of ports at least partially dependent upon the respective power priority level, wherein selectively allocating power includes suspending power delivery, and wherein each one of said power priority levels corresponds to a respective level of importance of functionality provided through an associated one of ports such that suspending power delivery to a particular one of said ports is performed dependent upon the respective level of importance of functionality provided therethrough and independent of a particular level of power being drawn thereby.