Structure cabling system

• US 7,346,785 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2003
• Issued: 03/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Microsemi Corp. - Analog Mixed Signal Group, Ltd. (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lehr, Amir, Pincu, David, Korcharz, Dror, Atias, Ilan
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, VINCENT HUY
• Application Number:
  US10/634,406
• Publication Number:
  US 20040037300A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,688 Days
• Field of Search: 713/300, 713/340, 713/320
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/00 Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles installations of bus-bars H02G5/00; overhead installations H02G7/00; installations in or on the ground H02G9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/44 Star or tree networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/323 in the physical layer [OSI layer 1]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

This invention discloses a local area network including a hub, a plurality of nodes, communication cabling connecting the plurality of nodes to the hub for providing data communication, and a power supply distributor operative to provide at least some operating power to at least some of the plurality of nodes via the communication cabling.

Claims

1. A computer for use in a local area network the computer comprising:

a memory located within the computer;

a non-essential circuitry located within the computer;

a first internal power supply located within the computer and arranged to supply power to said memory and said non-essential circuitry, said first internal power supply being fed power from an electrical mains;

a second internal power supply located within the computer and arranged to power said memory, said second internal power supply being fed a limited power insufficient to power both said memory and said non-essential circuitry, said limited power received via communication cabling from an external power source, said communication cabling comprising pairs of twisted copper wires at least one of which is arranged to transmit both said received limited power and data for the computer; and

a controller receiving a control input from said first internal power supply indicative of said mains fed power availability,

said controller being operative, responsive to said control input indicating that said mains fed power of said first internal power supply is not available, to supply power to said memory from said second internal power supply, said non-essential circuitry not being powered by said second internal power supply.

2. A method of supplying back up power to a memory of a computer, the computer comprising the memory, a non-essential circuitry, a mains fed power supply and a secondary power supply, the method comprising:

feeding the secondary limited power supply a limited power insufficient to power both the memory and the non-essential circuitry, said limited power being fed via communication cabling from an external power source, said communication cabling comprising pairs of twisted copper wires at least one of which is arranged to transmit both said received limited power and data for the computer;

providing power to the memory and the non-essential circuitry from the mains fed power supply of the computer;

monitoring the availability of said power from the mains fed power supply; and

powering, in the event said power from said mains fed power supply is not available, said memory from said limited power fed secondary power supply, said non-essential circuitry not being powered by said second internal power supply.