Redundant power and data in a wired data telecommunincations network

An apparatus for providing redundancy in a wired data telecommunications network, the apparatus comprising:

• means for coupling a first interface of a first port of a redundancy selection device to a first port of a first network device;
• means for coupling a second interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device to a first port of a second network device;
• means for coupling a third interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device to a first port of a third network device;
• means for coupling data and/or power communicated with the first interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device to communicate data and/or power with the third interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• means for detecting a failure in the flow of data and/or power;
• and
• means for activating the redundancy selection device responsive to said means for detecting to subsequently couple data and/or power communicated over the second interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device to communicate data and/or power with the third interface.

A system for providing redundancy in a wired data telecommunications network, the system comprising:

• circuitry for coupling a first interface of a first port of a redundancy selection device to a first port of a first network device;
• circuitry for coupling a second interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device to a first port of a second network device;
• circuitry for coupling a third interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device to a first port of a third network device;
• circuitry for coupling data and/or power communicated with the first interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device to communicate data and/or power with the third interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• circuitry for detecting a failure in the flow of data and/or power;
• and
• circuitry for activating the redundancy selection device responsive to said circuitry for detecting to subsequently couple data and/or power communicated over the second interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device to communicate data and/or power with the third interface.

A method for providing redundancy in a wired data telecommunications network, the method comprising:

• coupling a first interface of a first port of a redundancy selection device to a first port of a first network device;
• coupling a second interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device to a first port of a second network device;
• coupling a third interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device to a first port of a third network device;
• coupling data and/or power communicated over the first interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device to communicate data and/or power to a third interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• wherein
• the first interface includes:
• a 1st node and a 2nd node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of a 1st pair of conductors;
• a 3rd node and a 4th node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of a 2nd pair of conductors;
• the second interface includes:
• a 5th node and a 6th node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of a 3rd pair of conductors;
• a 7th node and an 8th node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of a 4th pair of conductors;
• the third interface includes:
• a 9th node and a 10th node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of a 5th pair of conductors;
• an 11th node and a 12th node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of a 6th pair of conductors.
• a 13th node and a 14th node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of a 7th pair of conductors;
• a 15th node and a 16th node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of an 8th pair of conductors and wherein:
• the 5th and 6th pairs of conductors are coupled through the redundancy selection device to the 1st and 2nd pairs of conductors, respectively, and
• the 7th and 8th pairs of conductors are coupled through the redundancy selection device to the 3rd and 4th pairs of conductors, respectively.

An apparatus for providing redundancy in a wired data telecommunications network, the apparatus comprising:

• means for coupling a first interface of a first port of a redundancy selection device to a first port of a first network device;
• means for coupling a second interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device to a first port of a second network device;
• means for coupling data and/or power communicated over the first interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device to communicate data and/or power to a third interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• wherein
• the first interface includes:
• a 1st node and a 2nd node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of a 1st pair of conductors;
• a 3nd node and a 4th node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of a 2nd pair of conductors;
• the second interface includes:
• a 5th node and a 6th node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of a 3rd pair of conductors;
• a 7th node and an 8th node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of a 4th pair of conductors;
• the third interface includes:
• a 9th node and a 10th node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of a 5th pair of conductors;
• an 11th node and a 12th node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of a 6th pair of conductors.
• a 13th node and a 14th node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of a 7th pair of conductors;
• a 15th node and a 16th node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of an 8th pair of conductors and wherein:
• the 5th and 6th pairs of conductors are coupled through the redundancy selection device to the 1st and 2nd pairs of conductors, respectively, and
• the 7th and 8th pairs of conductors are coupled through the redundancy selection device to the 3rd and 4th pairs of conductors, respectively.

A system for providing redundancy in a wired data telecommunications network, the method comprising:

• circuitry for coupling a first interface of a first port of a redundancy selection device to a first port of a first network device;
• circuitry for coupling a second interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device to a first port of a second network device;
• circuitry for coupling data and/or power communicated over the first interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device to communicate data and/or power to a third interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• wherein
• the first interface includes:
• a 1st node and a 2nd node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of a 1st pair of conductors;
• a 3rd node and a 4th node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of a 2nd pair of conductors;
• the second interface includes:
• a 5th node and a 6th node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of a 3rd pair of conductors;
• a 7th node and an 8th node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of a 4th pair of conductors;
• and
• the third interface includes:
• a 9th node and a 10th node adapted to be coupled to a 11st and a 2nd conductor of a 5th pair of conductors;
• an 11th node and a 12th node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of a 6th pair of conductors;
• a 13th node and a 14th node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of a 7th pair of conductors;
• a 15th node and a 16th node adapted to be coupled to a 1st and a 2nd conductor of an 8th pair of conductors, and wherein:
• the 5th and 6th pairs of conductors are coupled through the redundancy selection device to the 1st and 2nd pairs of conductors, respectively, and
• the 7th and 8th pairs of conductors are coupled through the redundancy selection device to the 3rd and 4th pairs of conductors, respectively.

A redundancy selection device adapted to be coupled to at least a first network device, a second network device and a third network device, the redundancy selection device comprising:

• a redundancy selection circuit having at least a first port, said port having a first interface for communicating with the first network device and a second interface for communicating with the second network device, and a third interface for communicating with the third network device;
• and
• a controller operable to:
• set an initial mode of operation for the redundancy selection device wherein the redundancy selection device communicates signals between the third interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device and the first interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• detect a failure in inline power and/or data communicated with the first interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• and
• responsive to said detection of a failure, set a subsequent mode of operation for the redundancy selection device wherein the redundancy selection device communicates signals between the third interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device and the second interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device.

A method for providing redundancy in a wired data telecommunications network, the method comprising:

• coupling a first interface of a first port of a redundancy selection device to a first port of a first network device, the first interface providing four pairs of connectivity between the first port of the first network device and the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• coupling a second interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device to a first port of a second network device, the second interface providing two pairs of connectivity between the first port of the second network device and the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• coupling a third interface of a first port of a redundancy selection device to a first port of a third network device, the third interface providing four pairs of connectivity between the first port of the third network device and the third port of the redundancy selection device;
• coupling data and/or power communicated with the first interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device to communicate data and/or power with a third interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• detecting a fault in the flow of data and/or power through the first port of the first network device;
• and
• activating the redundancy selection device in response to said detecting to subsequently:
• (1) provide two pairs of connectivity between the first port of the third network device and the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• and
• (2) provide two pairs of connectivity between the first port of the third network device and the first port of the second network device.

An apparatus for providing redundancy in a wired data telecommunications network, the apparatus comprising:

• means for coupling a first interface of a first port of a redundancy selection device to a first port of a first network device, the first interface providing four pairs of connectivity between the first port of the first network device and the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• means for coupling a second interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device to a first port of a second network device, the second interface providing two pairs of connectivity between the first port of the second network device and the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• means for coupling a third interface of a first port of a redundancy selection device to a first port of a third network device, the third interface providing four pairs of connectivity between the first port of the third network device and the third port of the redundancy selection device;
• means for coupling data and/or power communicated with the first interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device to communicate data and/or power with a third interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• means for detecting a fault in the flow of data and/or power through the first port of the first network device;
• and
• means for activating the redundancy selection device in response to said detecting to subsequently:
• (1) provide two pairs of connectivity between the first port of the third network device and the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• and
• (2) provide two pairs of connectivity between the first port of the third network device and the first port of the second network device.

A system for providing redundancy in a wired data telecommunications network, the system comprising:

• circuitry for coupling a first interface of a first port of a redundancy selection device to a first port of a first network device, the first interface providing four pairs of connectivity between the first port of the first network device and the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• circuitry for coupling a second interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device to a first port of a second network device, the second interface providing two pairs of connectivity between the first port of the second network device and the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• circuitry for coupling a third interface of a first port of a redundancy selection device to a first port of a third network device, the third interface providing four pairs of connectivity between the first port of the third network device and the third port of the redundancy selection device;
• circuitry for coupling data and/or power communicated with the first interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device to communicate data and/or power with a third interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• circuitry for detecting a fault in the flow of data and/or power through the first port of the first network device;
• and
• circuitry for activating the redundancy selection device in response to said detecting to subsequently:
• (1) provide two pairs of connectivity between the first port of the third network device and the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• and
• (2) provide two pairs of connectivity between the first port of the third network device and the first port of the second network device.

A network segment of a wired data telecommunications network, the network segment comprising:

• a first network device having at least a first local port and at least a first uplink port;
• a second network device having at least a first local port and at least a first uplink port;
• a third network device having at least a first port;
• and
• a redundancy selection device (RSD) having at least a first port with a first, second and third interface, the first interface of the RSD coupled to the first local port of the first network device, the second interface of the RSD coupled to the first local port of the second network device, and the third interface of the RSD coupled to the first port of the third network device,
• wherein data and/or power are communicated between the third network device and the first and/or second network device through the RSD;
• and
• wherein at least two pairs of conductors are used to couple data and/or power from the first network device to the third network device while at least one first pair of conductors is used to couple data transmitted from the third network device to the second network device and at least one second pair of conductors is used to couple data transmitted from said first network device to said second network device.

A method for testing a network segment, the segment comprising a first network device having a first port, a second network device having a first port and a third network device having a first port, the first port of the first network device coupled to a first interface of a first port of a redundancy selection device, the first port of the second network device coupled to a second interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device, and the first port of the third network device coupled to a third interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device, the method comprising:

• sending a predetermined routable test packet from the first network device to the third network device through the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• receiving the test packet at the third network device;
• modifying the test packet in a predetermined manner into a modified test packet at the third network device;
• sending the modified test packet from the third network device through the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• receiving the modified test packet at at least the first port of the second network device;
• inspecting the modified test packet at the second network device;
• and
• determining the operational status of the third network device at the second network device in response to said inspecting.

A method for testing a network segment, the segment comprising a first network device having a first port, a second network device having a first port and a third network device having a first port, the first port of the first network device coupled to a first interface of a first port of a redundancy selection device, the first port of the second network device coupled to a second interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device, and the first port of the third network device coupled to a third interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device, the method comprising:

• sending a predetermined routable test packet from one of the first, second and third network devices (originating device) to another of the first, second and third network devices (tested device) through the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• receiving the test packet at the tested device;
• modifying the test packet in a predetermined manner into a modified test packet at the tested device;
• sending the modified test packet from the tested device through the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• receiving the modified test packet at the originating device;
• inspecting the modified test packet at the originating device;
• and
• determining an operational status of the tested device at the originating device in response to said inspecting.

A method for testing a network segment, the segment comprising a first network device original acting as a master having a first port, a second network device originally acting as a slave having a first port and a third network device having a first port, the first port of the first network device coupled to a first interface of a first port of a redundancy selection device, the first port of the second network device coupled to a second interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device, and the first port of the third network device coupled to a third interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device, the method comprising:

• sending a predetermined routable test packet from the first network device to the third network device through the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• receiving the test packet at the third network device;
• modifying the test packet in a predetermined manner into a modified test packet at the third network device;
• sending the modified test packet from the third network device through the first port of the redundancy selection device;
• receiving the modified test packet at at least the first port of the second network device;
• inspecting the modified test packet at the second network device;
• and
• having the second network device take over as master from the first network device in response to said inspecting.

A powered device coupled to receive inline power, comprising:

• a threshold detection circuit monitoring the inline power voltage;
• a switch controlled by the threshold detection circuit;
• a load circuit coupled through the switch to receive power when the switch is closed;
• the threshold detection circuit arranged to close the switch when the inline power voltage is within a first range of voltage levels and to open the switch when the inline power voltage exceeds said first range of voltage levels.

A method for communicating among a first network device, a second network device and a third network device in a network segment, the segment comprising a first network device having a first port, a second network device having a first port and a third network device having a first port, the first port of the first network device coupled to a first interface of a first port of a redundancy selection device, the first port of the second network device coupled to a second interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device, and the first port of the third network device coupled to a third interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device, the method comprising:

• coupling the first, second and third interfaces together on a conductor-by-conductor basis within the redundancy selection device;
• initiating a communication at the first network device;
• and
• receiving the communication through the redundancy selection device at both said second and said third network devices.

A device, comprising:

• means for operating in a first mode of operation as a powered device (PD) accepting inline power from a power sourcing equipment (PSE) device;
• and
• means for operating in a second mode of operation as a PSE device, providing inline power to a PD;
• wherein the device, when operating in said first mode of operation adapted to extract inline power from two pairs of twisted-pair conductors through a high-impedance AC (alternating current) coupling and when in said second mode of operation adapted to inject inline power to the two pairs of conductors through the high-impedance AC coupling.

A method for communicating among a first network device, a second network device and a third network device in a network segment, the segment comprising a first network device having a first port, a second network device having a first port and a third network device having a first port, the first port of the first network device coupled to a first interface of a first port of a redundancy selection device, the first port of the second network device coupled to a second interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device, and the first port of the third network device coupled to a third interface of the first port of the redundancy selection device, the method comprising:

• providing inline power and data from the first interface to the third interface;
• providing attenuated inline power and data to the second interface;
• using the inline power provided over the first interface to forward-bias signal diodes in the conductors coupling the first and third interfaces;
• and
• using attenuated inline power provided over the first interface to forward-bias signal diodes in the conductors coupling the first and second interfaces.