Patent ID: 8261001

Claim:
A method, comprising: receiving, by a physical interface transceiver (PHY) assembly of a range extender device, a power signal from power sourcing equipment (PSE) through a first interface assembly of the range extender device via a computer networking connection; receiving, by a first PHY of the PHY assembly, a data signal from the PSE through the first interface assembly, the data signal having a voltage; using the power signal, providing, by the first PHY, the data signal to a second PHY of the PHY assembly; using the power signal, transmitting, by the second PHY, the data signal to a second network device through a second interface assembly of the range extender device; receiving by a first buffer of the range extender device, the data signal from the first PHY; storing, by the first buffer, the data signal, while the second network device assumes an inactive state; and providing, by the first buffer, the data signal to the second PHY after the second network device makes a transition from the inactive state to an active state.