Redundant power and data over a wired data telecommunications network

• US 7,620,846 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2004
• Issued: 11/17/2009
• 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: Schindler, Frederick R., Biederman, Daniel, Coley, Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Maskulinski; Michael C
• Application Number:
  US10/961,243
• Publication Number:
  US 20060080573A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,867 Days
• Field of Search: 714/14
• US Class Current: 714/14
• 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;

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; 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 or data over the wired data telecommunications network received or communicated at the first port of the first device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to an end to the disruption in the power over the wired data telecommunications network received at the first port of the first device, effectuating (i) receipt of power at the first port of the first device from the first port of the second device and (ii) termination of power at the second port of the first device from the first port of the third device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to an end to the disruption in the power over the wired data telecommunications network received at the first port of the first device, (i) effectuating receipt of power at the first port of the first device from the first port of the second device and (ii) maintaining receipt of power at the second port of the first device from the first port of the third device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to an end to the disruption in the power over the wired data telecommunications network received at the first port of the first device, (i) rejecting receipt of power at the first port of the first device from the first port of the second device and (ii) maintaining receipt of power at the second port of the first device from the first port of the third device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the third device is a portable computing device.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the portable computing device is a laptop computer.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the portable computing device is a personal data assistant (PDA).

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the portable computing device is a smart phone.

9. 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.

10. 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;

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; and

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.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

means for effectuating (i) receipt of power at the first port of the first device from the first port of the second device and (ii) termination of power at the second port of the first device from the first port of the third device, in response to an end to the disruption in the power over the wired data telecommunications network received at the first port of the first device.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

means for (i) effectuating receipt of power at the first port of the first device from the first port of the second device and (ii) maintaining receipt of power at the second port of the first device from the first port of the third device, in response to an end to the disruption in the power over the wired data telecommunications network received at the first port of the first device.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

means for (i) rejecting receipt of power at the first port of the first device from the first port of the second device and (ii) maintaining receipt of power at the second port of the first device from the first port of the third device, in response to an end to the disruption in the power over the wired data telecommunications network received at the first port of the first device.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the third device is a portable computing device.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the portable computing device is a laptop computer.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the portable computing device is a personal data assistant (PDA).

17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the portable computing device is a smart phone.

18. 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.

19. 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;

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; 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 the power or data over the wired data telecommunications network received or communicated at the first port of the first device.

20. 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;

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; and

communicating data over the wired data telecommunications network at the third port of the first device from the fourth 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.

21. 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; and

communicating data over the wired data telecommunications network at the third port of the first device from the fourth 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.

22. 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;

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.

23. The method of claim 22, 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.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the link failure is due to a disconnected network cable.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the link failure is due to a severed network cable.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the event corresponds to a reduction in the power received by the first network port of the first device.

27. 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;

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.

28. 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.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the link failure is due to a disconnected network cable.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the link failure is due to a severed network cable.

31. 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.

32. 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 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 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;

wherein the event corresponds to a loss of data connectivity at 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;

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.

34. 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;

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.

35. 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.

36. The method of claim 35, 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.

37. The method of claim 35, 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.

38. The method of claim 35, 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.

39. The method of claim 35, 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.

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

a first device constructed and arranged to utilize power received over the wired data telecommunications network, the first device having a first port and a second port;

a second device having a third port in electrical communication with the first port of the first device by a first connection, the third port configured as power sourcing equipment (PSE); and

a third device having a fourth port in electrical communication with the second port of the first device by a second connection, the fourth port configured as PSE;

wherein the first device is configured to receive power over the first connection from the second device;

wherein the first device is configured to receive power from the third device over the second connection in response to a disruption in power over the first connection;

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

41. A computer program product having a computer-readable medium including computer program logic encoded thereon that, when performed on a computer system directs the computer system to perform the method of:

directing a fourth port of a third device, the fourth port of the third device configured as power sourcing equipment (PSE), to deliver power over a wired data telecommunications network to a second port of a first device in response to a disruption in power over the wired data telecommunications network sent from a third port of a second device to a first port of the first device, the third port of the second device configured as PSE; and

directing the fourth port of the third device to communicate data over the wired data telecommunications network to the second port of the first 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.