Detection Of Non-powered Device (Non-PD) On A Power-Over-Ethernet Port Based On The Data Link State Information

A method for operating a port of power sourcing equipment (PSE) in a power over Ethernet (PoE) system, comprising:

• determining whether a data link is established on the port before enabling the detection of powered devices on the port and before supplying power on the port;
• determining whether the port is in link aggregation with one or more sibling ports;
• and
• determining that a non-powered device is coupled to the port in response to determining a data link is established on the port before enabling the detection of powered devices on the port and before supplying power on the port, and determining that the port is not in link aggregation.

A method for operating a port of power sourcing equipment (PSE) in a power over Ethernet (PoE) system, comprising:

• determining that a device has been coupled to the port;
• determining that a data link to the device has been established on the port;
• and
• removing power from the port, and then determining whether the data link established on the port still exists.

Power sourcing equipment (PSE) for a power over Ethernet (PoE) system, comprising:

• a port;
• means for determining whether a data link is established on the port before enabling the detection of powered devices on the port and before supplying power on the port;
• and
• means for determining that a non-powered device is coupled to the port in response to determining a data link is established on the port before enabling the detection of powered devices on the port and before supplying power on the port.

Power sourcing equipment (PSE) for a power over Ethernet (PoE) system, comprising:

• a port;
• means for determining whether a data link is established on the port before enabling the detection of powered devices on the port and before supplying power on the port;
• means for determining whether the port is in link aggregation with one or more sibling ports;
• and
• means for determining that a non-powered device is coupled to the port in response to determining a data link is established on the port before enabling the detection of powered devices on the port and before supplying power on the port, and determining that the port is not in link aggregation.

Power sourcing equipment (PSE) in a power over Ethernet (PoE) system, comprising:

• a port;
• means for determining that a device has been coupled to the port;
• means for determining that a data link to the device has been established on the port;
• and
• means for removing power from the port, and then determining whether the data link established on the port still exists.