Patent ID: 8873370

Claim:
A network device having a pair of ethernet ports and comprising a powered device containing circuitry connected in series with said ethernet ports and receiving power-over-ethernet (PoE) from one of said ports, a bypass circuit coupled to said pair of ethernet ports in parallel with said circuitry in said powered device receiving the power-over-ethernet for coupling said ports, a pair of double-throw, double-pole relay coils energized by power over ethernet, and two pairs of contacts for (a) opening said bypass circuit to couple said pair of ethernet ports via said circuitry in said powered device and (b) connecting said ethernet ports to said circuitry in said powered device, in response to energization of said relay coils, and for (a) closing said bypass circuit to couple said pair of ethernet ports directly and (b) disconnecting said circuitry in said powered device from said ethernet ports, in response to de-energization of said relay coils.