Method and system for distributing power to networked devices
First Claim
1. A system for power distribution of direct current (DC) power over twisted pair cabling to network devices, the system comprising:
- a plurality of ethernet switches each having an internal power supply and a plurality of ports grouped into a plurality of banks for connecting to the network devices via said twisted pair cabling;
an external power supply having a plurality of output ports for connecting to the ethernet switches,wherein the external power supply communicates power available to the ethernet switches,wherein each ethernet switch determines amounts and priority levels of power for the network devices connected thereto, sums together the amounts at each priority level, determines additional amounts and priority levels of power required beyond the internal power supply capability, and sends a power request to the external power supply,wherein the external power supply allocates power to the ethernet switches depending on the power requests received, andwherein each ethernet switch includes a power multiplexer which is controllable so as to switch power from the internal power supply to one or more of the banks of ports and which is also controllable so as to switch power from the external power supply to one or more of the banks of ports.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One embodiment disclosed relates to a system for power distribution to network devices. The system includes a plurality of network switches each having an internal power supply and a plurality of ports for connecting to the network devices and an external power supply having a plurality of output ports for connecting to the network switches. The external power supply communicates power available to the network switches. Each network switch determines amounts and priority levels of power for the network devices connected thereto, sums together the amounts at each priority level, determines additional amounts and priority levels of power required beyond the is internal power supply capability, and sends a power request to the external power supply. The external power supply allocates power to the network switches depending on the power requests received.
193 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for power distribution of direct current (DC) power over twisted pair cabling to network devices, the system comprising:
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a plurality of ethernet switches each having an internal power supply and a plurality of ports grouped into a plurality of banks for connecting to the network devices via said twisted pair cabling; an external power supply having a plurality of output ports for connecting to the ethernet switches, wherein the external power supply communicates power available to the ethernet switches, wherein each ethernet switch determines amounts and priority levels of power for the network devices connected thereto, sums together the amounts at each priority level, determines additional amounts and priority levels of power required beyond the internal power supply capability, and sends a power request to the external power supply, wherein the external power supply allocates power to the ethernet switches depending on the power requests received, and wherein each ethernet switch includes a power multiplexer which is controllable so as to switch power from the internal power supply to one or more of the banks of ports and which is also controllable so as to switch power from the external power supply to one or more of the banks of ports. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of distributing direct current (DC) power to network devices over twisted pair cabling, the method comprising:
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associating an amount and priority level of power for each device connected via said twisted pair cabling to a port of a network switch; maintaining in the switch a table of the amount and priority level for each switch port; summing together the amounts of power for the devices connected to the network switch; determining additional amounts and priority levels of power required beyond a capability of an internal power supply in the network switch; communicating a power request to an external power supply; and using the table to allocate available power to higher priority devices when insufficient power is available to fully power all of the connected devices, wherein the allocation of power is controlled using current control switches connected to the switch ports and using a power multiplexer circuit which is configured to connect to the internal power supply within the switch and to the external power supply, and wherein the power multiplexer circuit is controllable to switch power from each said power supply to a first bank of ports, to a second bank of ports, or to both the first and second bank of ports. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification