Abstract: A respective electronically controlled switch is provided in series with the output of each PD. A control circuit having a timer functionality is further provided, with the electronically controlled switches responsive to the control circuit. Upon detection that a second PD, defined temporally, is provided with operating power, the respective electronically controlled switch is maintained open for a predetermined hold-off time period sufficient to ensure detection by the respective PD control state machine of the completion of startup. After expiration of the predetermined hold-off time period, the respective electronically controlled switch is closed thus enabling normal operation.

Abstract: A respective electronically controlled switch is provided in series with the output of each PD. A control circuit having a timer functionality is further provided, with the electronically controlled switches responsive to the control circuit. Upon detection that a second PD, defined temporally, is provided with operating power, the respective electronically controlled switch is maintained open for a predetermined hold-off time period sufficient to ensure detection by the respective PD control state machine of the completion of startup. After expiration of the predetermined hold-off time period, the respective electronically controlled switch is closed thus enabling normal operation.

Abstract: A method for communicating settable priority data from a powered device being powered over communication cabling to power sourcing equipment, the method comprising: prior to connecting power to operational circuitry of the powered device, transmitting first multi-bit data from the powered device to the power sourcing equipment; subsequent to the transmitted first multi-bit data, connecting power received over the communication cabling to the powered device operational circuitry; receiving information from the powered device operational circuitry; disconnecting the received power from the powered device operational circuitry; and subsequent to the disconnecting, and prior to reconnecting power to the operational circuitry, transmitting second multi-bit data from the powered device to the power sourcing equipment, the second multi-bit data being a function of the received information, at least one of the first multi-bit data and the second multi-bit data being a function of a settable priority.

Abstract: A method for communicating settable priority data from a powered device being powered over communication cabling to power sourcing equipment, the method comprising: prior to connecting power to operational circuitry of the powered device, transmitting first multi-bit data from the powered device to the power sourcing equipment; subsequent to the transmitted first multi-bit data, connecting power received over the communication cabling to the powered device operational circuitry; receiving information from the powered device operational circuitry; disconnecting the received power from the powered device operational circuitry; and subsequent to the disconnecting, and prior to reconnecting power to the operational circuitry, transmitting second multi-bit data from the powered device to the power sourcing equipment, the second multi-bit data being a function of the received information, at least one of the first multi-bit data and the second multi-bit data being a function of a settable priority.

Abstract: A method for communicating multi-bit data from a powered device being powered over communication cabling to power sourcing equipment, the method comprising: exhibiting a signature indicative of a device to be powered over communication cabling; sensing a voltage level indicative of remote powering over communication cabling; prior to connecting power to operational circuitry, transmitting first multi-bit information; subsequently to the transmitting first multi-bit information, connecting power received over the communication cabling to the operational circuitry; receiving information from the operational circuitry; subsequent to receiving the information disconnecting the received power from the operational circuitry; subsequent to the disconnecting, transmitting second multi-bit information associated with the operational circuitry, the second multi-bit information comprising at least one bit being a function of the received information; and re-connecting power received over the communication cabling to the

Abstract: An interchangeable power over Ethernet module having a plurality of configurations, and a single unified pin out, the power over Ethernet module comprising: at least one circuitry managing the supply of power over Ethernet to at least one port; a first set of connections associated with a first one of the plurality of configurations, the first one of the plurality of configuration comprising supervisory control circuitry, the first set of connections being operably connected to the supervisory control circuitry; the first set of connections being connected together in a second one of the plurality of configurations.

Abstract: An interchangeable power over Ethernet module having a plurality of configurations, and a single unified pin out, the power over Ethernet module comprising: at least one circuitry managing the supply of power over Ethernet to at least one port; a first set of connections associated with a first one of the plurality of configurations, the first one of the plurality of configuration comprising supervisory control circuitry, the first set of connections being operably connected to the supervisory control circuitry; the first set of connections being connected together in a second one of the plurality of configurations.

Abstract: A method for communicating multi-bit data from a powered device being powered over communication cabling to power sourcing equipment, the method comprising: exhibiting a signature indicative of a device to be powered over communication cabling; sensing a voltage level indicative of remote powering over communication cabling; prior to connecting power to operational circuitry, transmitting first multi-bit information; subsequently to the transmitting first multi-bit information, connecting power received over the communication cabling to the operational circuitry; receiving information from the operational circuitry; subsequent to receiving the information disconnecting the received power from the operational circuitry; subsequent to the disconnecting, transmitting second multi-bit information associated with the operational circuitry, the second multi-bit information comprising at least one bit being a function of the received information; and re-connecting power received over the communication cabling to the