Redundant power and data over a wired data telecommunications network

• US 20060080573A1
• Filed: 10/07/2004
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Biederman, Daniel, Coley, Kenneth, Schindler, Frederick R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,620,846 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/11
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2015 Redundant power supplies power supply failure G06F1/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements

Abstract

A method and apparatus for redundant power and data over a wired data telecommunications network permits power to be received at a local powered device (PD) from remote power sourcing equipment (PSE) via at least one conductor at a first time and power and/or data to be obtained by the local device from another port of the remote device or another remote device at a second different time. Power levels obtained may be adjusted from time to time in response to circumstances.

Claims

1. A method for providing redundancy over a wired data telecommunications network, the method comprising:

coupling a first device, which is adapted to utilize power received over a wired data telecommunications network, through a first port of the first device to a first port of a second device, the first port of the second device configured as power sourcing equipment (PSE);

coupling the first device through a second port of the first device to a first port of a third device, the first port of the third device configured as PSE;

receiving power over the wired data telecommunications network at the first port of the first device from the first port of the second device; and

receiving power over the wired data telecommunications network at the second port of the first device from the first port of the third device in response to a disruption in the power over the wired data telecommunications network received at the first port of the first device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

communicating data over the wired data telecommunications network at the second port of the first device from the first port of the third device at a second, later time in response to a disruption in the power or data over the wired data telecommunications network received or communicated at the first port of the first device.

3. A method for providing redundant power and a redundant data path over a wired data telecommunications network, the method comprising:

coupling a first device, which is adapted to utilize power received over the wired data telecommunications network, through a first port of the first device to a first port of a second device, the first port of the second device configured as power sourcing equipment (PSE);

coupling the first device through a second port of the first device to a first port of a third device, the first port of the third device configured as PSE;

receiving power and communicating data over the wired data telecommunications network at the first port of the first device from the first port of the second device at a first time; and

receiving power and communicating data over the wired data telecommunications network at the second port of the first device from the first port of the third device at a second, later time in response to a disruption in the power over the wired data telecommunications network received and/or data over the wired data telecommunications network communicated at the first port of the first device.

4. A method for providing redundant power over a wired data telecommunications network, the method comprising:

configuring a first device having a first network port and a second network port, the first and second network ports configurable to be one of at least power sourcing equipment (PSE) and a powered device (PD);

configuring the first network port to be a PD and the second network port to be a PD;

requesting a first amount of power to be provided to the first network port and a second amount of power to be provided to the second network port; and

subsequently detecting a change in the amount of power provided to the first network port, and, responsive thereto, requesting a third amount of power different from the second amount of power to be provided to the second network port.

5. A method for providing redundant power and a redundant data path over a wired data telecommunications network, the method comprising:

configuring a first device having a first network port adapted to communicate data over the wired data telecommunications network and to utilize power received over the wired data telecommunications network and a second network port adapted to communicate data over the wired data telecommunications network and to utilize power received over the wired data telecommunications network, the first and second network ports configurable among at least a power sourcing equipment (PSE) mode and a powered device (PD) mode;

configuring the first network port to the PD mode and the second network port to the PSE mode;

requesting a first amount of power to be received at the first network port;

obtaining substantially the first amount of power requested at the first network port; and

subsequently detecting a decrease in the amount of power obtained at the first network port, and, responsive thereto, configuring the second network port to the PD mode.

6. A method for providing redundancy over a wired data telecommunications network, the method comprising:

configuring a first device having a first network port and a second network port, the first and second network ports configurable among at least a power sourcing equipment (PSE) mode and a powered device (PD) mode;

configuring the first port to the PD mode and the second port to the PSE mode;

requesting a first amount of power to be provided to the first network port; and

subsequently detecting a change in the amount of power provided over the first network port, and, responsive thereto, configuring the second network port to the PD mode.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

requesting a first amount of power to be provided to the second network port.

8. An apparatus for providing redundancy over a wired data telecommunications network, the apparatus comprising:

means for coupling a first device, which is adapted to utilize power received over a wired data telecommunications network, through a first port of the first device to a first port of a second device, the first port of the second device configured as power sourcing equipment (PSE);

means for coupling the first device through a second port of the first device to a first port of a third device, the first port of the third device configured as PSE;

means for receiving power over the wired data telecommunications network at the first port of the first device from the first port of the second device; and

means for receiving power over the wired data telecommunications network at the second port of the first device from the first port of the third device in response to a disruption in the power over the wired data telecommunications network received at the first port of the first device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

means for communicating data over the wired data telecommunications network at the second port of the first device from the first port of the third device at a second, later time in response to a disruption in the power or data over the wired data telecommunications network received or communicated at the first port of the first device.

10. An apparatus for providing redundant power and a redundant data path over a wired data telecommunications network, the apparatus comprising:

means for coupling a first device, which is adapted to utilize power received over the wired data telecommunications network, through a first port of the first device to a first port of a second device, the first port of the second device configured as power sourcing equipment (PSE);

means for coupling the first device through a second port of the first device to a first port of a third device, the first port of the third device configured as PSE;

means for receiving power and communicating data over the wired data telecommunications network at the first port of the first device from the first port of the second device at a first time; and

means for receiving power and communicating data over the wired data telecommunications network at the second port of the first device from the first port of the third device at a second, later time in response to a disruption in the power over the wired data telecommunications network received and/or data over the wired data telecommunications network communicated at the first port of the first device.

11. An apparatus for providing redundant power over a wired data telecommunications network, the apparatus comprising:

means for configuring a first device having a first network port and a second network port, the first and second network ports configurable to be one of at least power sourcing equipment (PSE) and a powered device (PD);

means for configuring the first network port to be a PD and the second network port to be a PD;

means for requesting a first amount of power to be provided to the first network port and a second amount of power to be provided to the second network port; and

means for subsequently detecting a change in the amount of power provided to the first network port, and, responsive thereto, requesting a third amount of power different from the second amount of power to be provided to the second network port.

12. An apparatus for providing redundant power and a redundant data path over a wired data telecommunications network, the apparatus comprising:

means for configuring a first device having a first network port adapted to communicate data over the wired data telecommunications network and to utilize power received over the wired data telecommunications network and a second network port adapted to communicate data over the wired data telecommunications network and to utilize power received over the wired data telecommunications network, the first and second network ports configurable among at least a power sourcing equipment (PSE) mode and a powered device (PD) mode;

means for configuring the first network port to the PD mode and the second network port to the PSE mode;

means for requesting a first amount of power to be received at the first network port;

means for obtaining substantially the first amount of power requested at the first network port; and

means for subsequently detecting a decrease in the amount of power obtained at the first network port, and, responsive thereto, configuring the second network port to the PD mode.

13. An apparatus for providing redundancy over a wired data telecommunications network, the apparatus comprising:

means for configuring a first device having a first network port and a second network port, the first and second network ports configurable among at least a power sourcing equipment (PSE) mode and a powered device (PD) mode;

means for configuring the first port to the PD mode and the second port to the PSE mode;

means for requesting a first amount of power to be provided to the first network port; and

means for subsequently detecting a change in the amount of power provided over the first network port, and, responsive thereto, configuring the second network port to the PD mode.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

means for requesting a first amount of power to be provided to the second network port.

15. A system for providing redundant power and a redundant data path over a wired data telecommunications network, the system comprising:

a first device having a first network port and a second network port;

a controller operable to set a mode of operation of the first and second network ports among at least a power sourcing equipment (PSE) mode, a powered device (PD) mode and an OFF mode, the controller operable to initially set the first network port to the PD mode and the second network port to the OFF mode.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the controller is additionally operable to:

detect an interruption of data at the first network port and, responsive thereto, set the second network port to the PD mode.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the controller is additionally operable to:

detect an interruption of power at the first network port and, responsive thereto, set the second network port to the PD mode.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the controller is additionally operable to:

detect an interruption of data and power at the first network port and, responsive thereto, set the second network port to the PD mode.

19. A system for providing redundant power over a wired data telecommunications network, the system comprising:

a first device having a first network port and a second network port;

a controller operable to;

set a mode of operation of the first and second network ports among at least a Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) mode and a Powered Device (PD) mode;

set the first network port to the PD mode and the second network port to the PD mode;

request a first amount of power to be provided to the first network port and a second amount of power to be provided to the second network port; and

subsequently detect a change in the amount of power provided to the first network port, and, responsive thereto, request a third amount of power different from the second amount of power, to be provided to the second network port.

20. A system for providing redundancy over a wired data telecommunications network, the system comprising:

a first device having a first network port and a second network port;

a controller operable to;

set a mode of operation of the first and second network ports among at least Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE), Powered Device (PD) and OFF modes;

initially set the first network port to the PD mode and the second network port to the PSE mode;

initially request a first amount of power to be provided to the first network port; and

detect a change in the amount of power provided to the first network port, and, responsive thereto, set the first network port to the PSE mode.

21. A system for providing redundant power and a redundant data path over a wired data telecommunications network, the system comprising:

a first device having a first network port and a second network port;

a controller operable to;

set a mode of operation for the first and second network ports among at least a Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) mode and a Powered Device (PD) mode;

initially set the first network port to the PD mode and the second network port to the PSE mode;

initially request a first amount of power to be provided to the first network port; and

subsequently detect a change in the amount of power provided to the first network port, and, responsive thereto, set the second network port to the PD mode.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the controller is further operable to:

request the first amount of power to be provided to the second network port.

23. A method for,providing redundancy over a wired data telecommunications network, the method comprising:

coupling a first device, which is adapted to utilize power received over a wired data telecommunications network, through a first port of the first device to a first port of a second device, the first port of the second device configured as power sourcing equipment (PSE);

coupling the first device through a second port of the first device to a first port of a third device, the first port of the third device configured as PSE;

receiving up to a first level of power over the wired data telecommunications network at the first port of the first device from the first port of the second device; and

receiving up to a second level of power over the wired data telecommunications network at the second port of the first device from the first port of the third device in response to a disruption in the power over the wired data telecommunications network received at the first port of the first device.

24. A method, comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

establishing a first power over wired data telecommunications network connection between a first port of a first network device, the first port initially configured as a Powered Device (PD), and a second port of a second network device, the second port initially configured as Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE);

providing electrical power from the second port to the first port;

detecting a disruption in said providing; and

responsive to the disruption, establishing a second power over wired data telecommunications network connection between a third port of the first network device, the third port initially configured as a PD, and a fourth port of a third network device, the fourth port initially configured as PSE.

25. A method, comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

establishing a first power over wired data telecommunications network and data connection between a first port of a first network device, the first port initially configured as a Powered Device (PD), and a second port of a second network device, the second port initially configured as Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE);

providing electrical power from the second port to the first port;

detecting a disruption in said connection;

responsive to the disruption;

(1) establishing a second power over wired data telecommunications network and data connection between a third port of the first network device, the third port initially configured as a PD, and a fourth port of a third network device, the fourth port initially configured as PSE; and

(2) reconfiguring the first port to a mode of operation where it does not send or receive power over the wired data telecommunications network or communicate data.

26. A method, comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

establishing a first power over wired data telecommunications network and data connection between a first port of a first network device, the first port initially configured as a Powered Device (PD), and a second port of a second network device, the second port initially configured as Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE);

establishing a second power over wired data telecommunications network and data connection between a third port of the first network device, the third port initially configured as a PD, and a fourth port of a third network device, the fourth port initially configured as PSE;

providing up to a first level of electrical power from the second port to the first port;

providing up to a second level of electrical power from the fourth port to the second port;

detecting a disruption in the first connection; and

responsive to the disruption;

(1) modifying the second connection to increase the second power level; and

(2) reconfiguring the first port to a mode of operation where it does not send or receive power over the wired data telecommunications network or communicate data.

27. A method for providing redundant power over a wired data telecommunications network, the method comprising:

coupling a first device, which is adapted to utilize power received over the wired data telecommunications network, through a first network port of the first device to a first network port of a second device, the first network port of the second device configured as power sourcing equipment (PSE);

coupling the first device through a second network port of the first device to a first network port of a third device, the first network port of the third device configured as PSE;

receiving power over the wired data telecommunications network at the first network port of the first device from the first network port of the second device; and

receiving power over the wired data telecommunications network at the second network port of the first device from the first network port of the third device in response to an event at the first port of the first device from the wired data telecommunications network.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the event corresponds to a command sent to at least one of the first device and the second device and the third device from a control point.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the event corresponds to a link failure between the first network port of the first device and the first network port of the second device.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the link failure is due to a disconnected network cable.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the link failure is due to a severed network cable.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein the event corresponds to a reduction in the power received by the first network port of the first device.

33. A method for providing redundancy over a wired data telecommunications network, the method comprising:

coupling a first device, which is adapted to utilize power received over the wired data telecommunications network, through a first network port of the first device to a first network port of a second device, the first network port of the second device configured as power sourcing equipment (PSE);

coupling the first device through a second network port of the first device to a first network port of a third device, the first network port of the third device configured as PSE;

receiving up to a first level of power and, optionally, data over the wired data telecommunications network at the first network port of the first device from the first network port of the second device at a first time; and

receiving up to a second level of power and, optionally, data over the wired data telecommunications network at the second network port of the first device from the first network port of the third device at a second, later time in response to an event.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the event corresponds to a command sent to at least one of the first device and the second device and the third device from a control point.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the event corresponds to a link failure between the first network port of the first device and the first network port of the second device.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the link failure is due to a disconnected network cable.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the link failure is due to a severed network cable.

38. The method of claim 33, wherein the event corresponds to a reduction in the power received by the first network port of the first device.

39. The method of claim 33, wherein the event corresponds to a loss of data connectivity at the first network port of the first device.

40. The method of claim 33, wherein the event corresponds to both a loss of data connectivity and a reduction in the power received at the first network port of the first device.

41. The method of claim 33, wherein the event corresponds to a link reestablishment between the second network port of the first device and the first network port of the third device.

42. A method for providing redundant power over a wired data telecommunications network, the method comprising:

configuring a first device having a first network port and a second network port, the first and second network ports configurable to be one of at least power sourcing equipment (PSE) and a powered device (PD);

configuring the first network port to be a PD and the second network port to be a PD;

requesting a first amount of power to be provided to the first network port and a second amount of power to be provided to the second network port; and

subsequently detecting an event at the first port, and, responsive thereto, requesting a third amount of power different from the second amount of power to be provided to the second network port.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the event corresponds to a command sent to at least one of the first device and the second device and the third device from a control point.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein the event corresponds to a link failure between the first network port of the first device and the first network port of the second device.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the link failure is due to a disconnected network cable.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the link failure is due to a severed network cable.

47. The method of claim 42, wherein the event corresponds to a reduction in the power received by the first network port of the first device.

48. The method of claim 42, wherein the event corresponds to a loss of data connectivity at the first network port of the first device.

49. The method of claim 42, wherein the event corresponds to both a loss of data connectivity and a reduction in the power received at the first network port of the first device.

50. A method for providing redundancy over a wired data telecommunications network, the method comprising:

coupling a first device, which is adapted to utilize power received over the wired data telecommunications network, through a first network port of the first device to a first network port of a second device, the first network port of the second device configured as power sourcing equipment (PSE);

configuring the first network port of the second device to provide up to a first level of power to the first network port of the first device;

coupling the first device through a second network port of the first device to a first network port of a third device, the first network port of the third device configured as PSE;

configuring the first network port of the third device to provide up to the first level of power to the second network port of the first device;

receiving up to the first level of power over the wired data telecommunications network at the first network port of the first device from the first network port of the second device at a first time;

receiving up to the first level of power over the wired data telecommunications network at the second network port of the first device from the first network port of the third device at a first time; and

receiving no power over the wired data telecommunications network at the second network port of the first device from the first network port of the third device at a second, later time and receiving up to the first level of power over the wired data telecommunications network at the first network port of the first device from the first network port of the second device.

51. The method of claim 50, further comprising:

communicating data between the first network port of the first device and the first network port of the second device at the first time

52. The method of claim 50, further comprising:

communicating data between the second network port of the first device and the first network port of the third device at the first time.

53. The method of claim 50, further comprising:

communicating data between the first network port of the first device and the first network port of the second device at the second time.

54. The method of claim 50, further comprising:

communicating no data between the second network port of the first device and the first network port of the third device at the second time.