Patent ID: 8880765

Claim:
A network device having a plurality of interfaces, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a main circuit board having a plurality of expansion slots operatively connected thereto, the plurality of expansion slots operative to receivably connect a corresponding plurality of secondary circuit boards to the main circuit board, the main circuit board further having at least one voltage regulator and at least one sensor for detecting one or more predetermined parameters; a first secondary circuit board operatively connected to the main circuit board via a first expansion slot, the first secondary circuit board to support communication over a smart grid network via a first wireless communication protocol; and a second secondary circuit board operatively connected to the main circuit board via a second expansion slot, the second secondary circuit board to support communication over the smart grid network via a second wireless communication protocol, wherein the CPU is operative, via the voltage regulator, to regulate at least one expansion slot of the plurality of expansion slots in response to at least one predetermined parameter associated with the particular expansion slot.