Patent ID: 7620846

Claim:
A method for providing redundancy over a wired data telecommunications network, the method comprising: coupling a first device, which is adapted to utilize power received over a wired data telecommunications network, through a first port of the first device to a first port of a second device, the first port of the second device configured as power sourcing equipment (PSE); coupling the first device through a second port of the first device to a first port of a third device, the first port of the third device configured as PSE; receiving power over the wired data telecommunications network at the first port of the first device from the first port of the second device; receiving power over the wired data telecommunications network at the second port of the first device from the first port of the third device in response to a disruption in the power over the wired data telecommunications network received at the first port of the first device; and communicating data over the wired data telecommunications network at the second port of the first device from the first port of the third device at a second, later time in response to a disruption in the power or data over the wired data telecommunications network received or communicated at the first port of the first device.