Abstract: A power controller for power sourcing equipment in a distributed power network provides power down policies and priority in the event of a power supply failure. The power down priority and policy permits implementation of a rapid decrease in the power demand of the distributed power network to avoid overload of a backup power supply. The priority may be derived based on the relative position of port information in a linked list. Devices associated with a high priority can remain powered in response to a main power supply failure, while lower priority devices can be rapidly powered down to reduce the overall load demand on the backup power supply. The ability to configure ports on the basis of priority and available policies provides a flexible and simple implementation of a response in the event of a main power supply failure.

Abstract: A connector assembly for protecting against cable discharge with respect to static charges that may accumulate on cables and other conductors. The connector assembly comprises a modular plug that mates with a modular jack. The modular jack comprises a plurality of resilient contacts that connect to rigid contacts on the modular plug when the plug and jack mate. The modular jack also supports a grounding conductor such that the jack contacts connect to ground when the jack and plug are unmated. As the plug and jack begin to mate, the jack contacts connect a ground potential to the plug contacts, thereby discharging to ground any static charge that may be stored on the cable. As the jack and plug continue to mate, the plug contacts disconnect the jack contacts from the grounding conductor. When the jack fully mates with the plug, cable conductors connect to an electronic circuit via the jack and plug contacts.

Abstract: A telecommunication apparatus and method for providing packets to at least one of a first and a second network are described. A telephone set connects the first network to the second network. In one embodiment, the telephone set includes two MAC devices. Each MAC device is in electrical communication with one of the two networks via a communication path. In another embodiment, a packet switching device provides the separate communication paths to the two networks. The telephone set forwards packets received from one network to the other network, generates packets from signals locally inputted into the telephone set and forwards such generated packets to at least one of the networks, and performs actions prescribed by packets received by and addressed to the telephone set. Packets addressed to the telephone set may or may not be forwarded.