POWER MANAGEMENT MECHANISM IN SYSTEM FOR SUPPLYING POWER OVER COMMUNICATION LINK

摘要

System and methodology for managing power supplied to powered devices over communication links, such as Ethernet links. A power supply system (100) has multiple power supply ports for providing power (122) to respective powered devices via multiple communication links. A power-in-use bus (104) shared by the multiple power supply ports is configured for receiving a power-in-use signal representing total amount of power being used by the powered devices. Multiple port control circuits (110) associated with the power supply ports are responsive to the power-in-use signal for controlling supply of power to the respective powered devices.