Patent ID: 7553161

Claim:
A method for managing power provided to endpoint devices along communication cables in a network, said method comprising: providing a powered patch panel having: a plurality of front-side RJ-45 communications connectors provided in a front panel of said patch panel; a plurality of back-side punch-down block communications connectors provided in a rear panel of said patch panel, each of said punch-down block communications connectors being electrically connected to a corresponding one of said RJ-45 communications connectors; power source control circuitry connected intermediate each of the plurality of RJ-45 communications connectors and the plurality of punch-down block communications connectors, said power source control circuitry being operative to supply power from a power supply to said endpoint devices along said communications cables; and a first management port providing connectivity between the communications patch panel and a network management system of said network; and managing said patch panel via a connection to said first management port using management software.