Abstract: A method of power management for use in a local area network, in which a plurality of local area network nodes are supplied power over communication cabling, the method comprising: supplying power to the plurality of local area network nodes over communication cabling; inputting total power availability; monitoring total power consumption; establishing a first limit for the monitored total power consumption; establishing a second limit for the monitored total power consumption, the second limit being lower than the first limit; in the event the first limit is exceeded, disconnecting the supplied power to at least one of the plurality of local area network nodes; and in the event the second limit is exceeded, supplying power to an additional node only after disconnecting the supplied power to at least one of the plurality of local area network nodes.

Abstract: A method for supplying power to a local area network node over communication cabling, the method comprising: injecting current-limited current into communication cabling connected to the local area network node; measuring a voltage developed in accordance with said injected current limited current across said communication cabling at three pre-determined intervals; and determining, as a consequence of said measured voltage at said three pre-determined intervals whether characteristics of the local area network node allow it to receive power over the communication cabling.

Abstract: A power supply subsystem for providing electrical power to at least node over communication cabling, the power supply subsystem comprising: a management and control unit; a power supply interface for distributing power into the communication cabling substantially without interfering with data communication; and current limiting circuitry controlling current of the power distributed into the communication cabling via the power supply interface, wherein the management and control unit is operative to interrogate the at least one node to which it is intended to transmit power over the communication cabling in order to determine whether the node's characteristics allow it to receive power over the communication cabling.

Abstract: A power supply subsystem configured for connection between a LAN switch and at least one node, the power supply subsystem providing electrical power to the at least node over communication cabling, the power supply subsystem comprising: a management and control unit; at least one port for connection to a LAN switch; a combiner combining power into the communication cabling substantially without interfering with data communication between the LAN switch and the at least one node; and current limiting circuitry controlling current of the power delivered into the communication cabling via the combiner, wherein the management and control unit is operative to interrogate the at least one node to which it is intended to transmit power over the communication cabling in order to determine whether the node's characteristics allow it to receive power over the communication cabling.

Abstract: A system for supplying additional power to a module having an internal power supply, the system comprising: a module having an associated power supply, the power supply not being designed to accommodate power sharing; at least one load associated with the module, the load receiving power from the power supply; a variable current limited power source connected to the module supplying additional power to the at least one load; and a controller; whereby the variable current limited power supply is responsive to an output of the controller to vary the current limit of the variable current limited power supply.

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.

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.

Abstract: A system for generating, delivering and distributing electrical power to network elements over a data communication network infrastructure within a building, campus or enterprise. Consolidating power distribution and data communications over a single network simplifies and reduces the cost of network element installation and provides a means of supplying uninterrupted or backup power to critical network devices in the event of a power failure. The invention includes power/data combiners that combine a data communication signal with a low frequency power signal. The combined signal is transported over the LAN infrastructure where a power/data splitter extracts the data signal and the power signal and generates two separate outputs. The power over LAN system of the present invention operates with high bandwidth data communication networks, i.e., 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 1000 Mbps.

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.

Abstract: A system for generating, delivering and distributing electrical power to network elements over a data communication network infrastructure within a building, campus or enterprise. Consolidating power distribution and data communications over a single network simplifies and reduces the cost of network element installation and provides a means of supplying uninterrupted or backup power to critical network devices in the event of a power failure. The invention includes power/data combiners that combine a data communication signal with a low frequency power signal. The combined signal is transported over the LAN infrastructure where a power/data splitter extracts the data signal and the power signal and generates two separate outputs. The power over LAN system of the present invention operates with high bandwidth data communication networks, i.e., 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 1000 Mbps.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying power to communication devices operating within a Local Area Network (LAN) over LAN cabling, the communication devices including one or more powered devices adapted to receive power over the LAN cabling, the apparatus including a power supply which is adapted to receive power from an unregulated source and to provide therefrom regulated power. The apparatus further includes power distribution and control circuitry, which is adapted to identify the powered devices on the LAN, to receive the regulated power and to generate therefrom respective output voltages for supply to the powered devices. The apparatus is housed in a chassis which retains the power supply and the power distribution and control circuitry as a single module.

Abstract: This invention discloses a data communications network including at least one hub, a plurality of nodes connected via network connections to the hub, a power distribution subsystem operative to provide at least some power to at least some of the plurality of nodes via at least some of the network connections. The power distribution subsystem includes a node identification functionality providing identification of nodes via at least some of the plurality of network connections in order to enable an appropriate supply of power to individual nodes and a power supply responsive to the node identification functionality and supplying power to the at least some of the plurality of nodes via the at least some of the network connections.

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.

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.