Power distribution and data routing in a network of devices interconnected by hybrid data/power links

A network, comprising:

• a plurality of network devices;
• and
• a plurality of hybrid data/power links interconnecting the plurality of network devices in accordance with a topology, wherein each of the plurality of hybrid data/power links includes (i) first conductors carrying high-speed data and not carrying direct current (DC) power and (ii) second conductors carrying DC power and not carrying high-speed data;
• wherein the plurality of network devices are configured to participate in a lower-level control protocol to receive control messages from a central controller and to distribute DC power throughout the topology in accordance with a power distribution map received from the central controller, wherein the low-level control protocol involves an exchange of the control messages over the second conductors;
• and
• wherein the plurality of network devices are configured to route data throughout the topology in accordance with a data routing map received from the central controller.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when carried out by a processor of a controller device, cause the controller device to carry out a method that comprises:

• participating in a low-level control protocol with a plurality of network devices to receive information from the plurality of network devices, the plurality of network devices being interconnected via hybrid data/power links, each of the hybrid data/power links including (i) first conductors carrying high-speed data and not carrying DC power and (ii) second conductors carrying DC power and not carrying high-speed data, wherein the low-level control protocol involves an exchange of control messages over the second conductors;
• determining an interconnection topology for the plurality of network devices based on the information received from the plurality of network devices via the low-level control protocol;
• obtaining a power distribution map associated with the interconnection topology;
• and
• causing direct current (DC) power to be distributed to the plurality of network devices via the hybrid data/power links according to the power distribution map.