Patent ID: 8375232

Claim:
A method for performing power management by a Power over Ethernet (PoE) capable switch, comprising: obtaining current power consumption state information from a plurality of remote devices that are connected to the PoE-capable switch via respective Ethernet cables and that receive data and power from the PoE-capable switch via the respective Ethernet cables; receiving a notification indicating that a power source of the PoE-capable switch is limited or failing; and responsive to receiving the notification, selectively providing power to one or more of the plurality of remote devices connected to the PoE-capable switch based on the current power consumption state information obtained from the one or more remote devices, wherein selectively providing power to the one or more of the plurality of remote devices connected to the PoE-capable switch comprises making a first power supply determination for one of the plurality of remote devices and selectively providing power to the one of the plurality of remote devices based on the first power supply determination, and subsequently making a second power supply determination for the one of the plurality of remote devices and selectively providing power to the one of the plurality of remote devices based on the second power supply determination.