Patent ID: 8065538

Claim:
A method for power management of a network element having a plurality of slots for receiving a plurality of networking cards respectively, the method comprising: receiving a networking card configuration request for a type of networking card irrespective of a networking card of that type being inserted into one of the plurality of slots, wherein the networking card is not enabled unless successfully configured and inserted into the network element; determining an amount of power that type of networking card consumes when configured without reading a power consumption value from a networking card of that type; determining whether allowing that type of networking card to be configured would exceed a power capacity of the network element, wherein if the power capacity is exceeded, denying the configuration request of that type of networking card, and wherein if the power capacity is not exceeded, performing the following: accepting the configuration request of that type of networking card, and allocating the amount of power that type of networking card consumes; and determining power consumption of the networking cards has exceeded the power capacity of the network element; upon determining the power consumption of the networking cards has exceeded the power capacity of the network element, performing the following: powering down enough of one of one or more line cards or service cards to reduce the power consumption below the power capacity, preventing configuration of any line cards or service cards while at least one of the line cards or service cards is in a powered down state, and upon determining that power has become available, powering up the powered down cards.