Patent ID: 7809960

Claim:
A network tap device powered by a power-over-Ethernet supply, comprising: first and second network ports configured to operably connect with communication cables, the communication cables configured to carry data signals to and from the network tap device, the communication cables further configured to carry a power-over-Ethernet supply; first and second tap ports configured to operably connect with communication cables, the communication cables configured to carry data signals and a portion of the power-over-Ethernet supply to at least one connected device; and control and regulation circuitry that is configured to receive the power-over-Ethernet supply from at least one of the communication cables via the respective one of the first and second network ports, wherein the control and regulation circuitry enables components of the network tap device to be operated by the power-over-Ethernet supply, and wherein the control and regulation circuitry is configured to forward a portion of the power-over-Ethernet supply through at least one of the tap ports to the at least one connected device.