Method and apparatus for facilitating network expansion
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use in a network to facilitate network expansion, the apparatus comprising:
- a processor; and
a network interface comprising;
a first port for receiving both power and data transmitted from a first network device;
a second port for transmitting both power and data to a second network device;
wherein the network interface communicatively couples the processor to the network and the network interface is configured so that data received on the first port can be transmitted out the second port to an appropriate destination.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for network expansion. In one embodiment of the present invention, a system is provided having a network connection device, a first network device, and a second network device. The first network device and the second network device may be coupled together in a network topology configured so that a single port on the network connection device supports network connectivity to both the first network device and second network device. The single port may provide power and data to an input port on the first network device. An output port on the first network device may provide power and data to the second network device. The network connection device may be a Power over Ethernet switch.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in a network to facilitate network expansion, the apparatus comprising:
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a processor; and
a network interface comprising;
a first port for receiving both power and data transmitted from a first network device;
a second port for transmitting both power and data to a second network device;
wherein the network interface communicatively couples the processor to the network and the network interface is configured so that data received on the first port can be transmitted out the second port to an appropriate destination. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A system comprising:
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a network connection device;
a first network device; and
a second network device;
wherein the first network device and the second network device are coupled together in a network topology configured so that a single port on the network connection device supports network connectivity to both the first network device and second network device;
wherein the single port provides power and data to an input port on the first network device;
wherein an output port on the first network device provides power and data to the second network device. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method for installing an additional network device into an existing computer network, the method comprising:
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disconnecting a first network device from a network connection device; and
communicatively coupling the additional network device between the network connection device and the first network device, wherein data from the network connection device flows through the additional network device to reach the first network device;
wherein the additional network device provides power and data to the first network device. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification