Abstract: Digital and analog functionality are separated and optimized in an Ethernet port architecture to free port circuit space for additional desired functionality. A power controller and physical link controller for the port share a high speed communication link to transfer information and control instructions from one to the other. The physical link controller provides digital functionality and processing capabilities that can generate power control instructions sent to the power controller over the high speed link. The power controller provides analog functionality for controlling the power supplied to the network connection and transfers power related information to the physical link controller over the high speed communication link and receives control instructions through a digital interface. The separation of digital of analog functionality simplifies the power control circuitry, removes redundancy, and frees valuable circuit board space for other desired functionality.