Patent ID: 7778409
Filing Date: 2010-08-17
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for providing, by a power compatibility module, compatibility to a network power system having equipment capable of at least two power via Media Dependent Interfaces (MDI) schemes for delivering data terminal equipment power via an MDI, the network power system including power source equipment (PSE) configured to deliver power via a first power via MDI scheme and a powered device (PD) coupled to the PSE and configured to receive power from the PSE via a second power via MDI scheme different from the first power via MDI scheme, the method comprising: exchanging, by the power compatibility module, classification signals with the PD to classify a power class of the PD; in response to classifying the PD as an IEEE PD configured to receive power according to an IEEE power classification, receiving, by the power compatibility module, a power signal from the PSE at a first power level according to the first power via MDI scheme and converting, by the power compatibility module, the power signal to a power level corresponding to the IEEE power classification of the PD, the power level corresponding to the IEEE power classification of the PD associated with the second power via MDI scheme; facilitating, by the power compatibility module, the PSE to operate according to the first power via MDI scheme while appearing to the PD to be operating according to the second power via MDI scheme; and facilitating, by the power compatibility module, the PD to operate according to the second power via MDI scheme while appearing to the PSE to be operating according to the first power via MDI scheme; wherein facilitating the PD to operate according to the second power via MDI scheme while appearing to the PSE to be operating according to the first power via MDI scheme comprises forwarding, by the power compatibility module, the power signal to the PD via the second power via MDI scheme.