Patent ID: 8045565

Claim:
A network, comprising: a first network device located outdoors and above ground, wherein the first network device is coupled to an AC power source and includes a first data connector and a first power connector; an outdoor, above-ground cable, wherein the cable is greater than 100 meters in length and includes a first set of wires and a second set of wires within an outer sheath, wherein the cable is configured to carry data on the first set of wires, wherein the cable is further configured to carry power on the second set of wires, wherein the cable includes, at a first end of the cable, a first connector that couples the first set of wires to the first data connector, and wherein the cable includes, at the first end of the cable, a second connector that couples the second set of wires to the first power connector, and wherein the cable includes, at a second end of the cable, a third connector coupled to the first set of wires and a fourth connector coupled to the second set of wires; and a second network device coupled to the first network device via the cable, wherein the second network device includes a second data connector and a second power connector that are respectively coupled at the second end of the cable to the third and fourth connectors, wherein the second network device is configured to operate without a direct coupling to an AC power source; wherein the second network device is configured to receive data and power from the first network device via the cable; and wherein the first and second network devices include physical layer transceivers having a specified clock rate and are configured to communicate data at 100 Mbps via the cable over distances greater than 100 meters by using clock rates for the physical layer transceivers that are lower than the specified clock rate.