Powered device, power sourcing equipment device, power-over-ethernet network system, and mthods therefore

A power sourcing equipment device for supplying power via a communication link to one or more powered devices, said power sourcing equipment device comprising:

• a classification information receiving unit that is configured to receive a classification information via said communication link from a powered device during a classification phase;
• and
• a sensor information retrieving unit that is configured to retrieve a sensor information indicating an ambient condition detected by a sensor of the powered device from said classification information.

A method of operating a powered device comprising a sensor unit for receiving power via a communication link, said method comprising:

• providing a classification information to said communication link during a classification phase of said powered device;
• providing a sensor information to said classification information providing unit;
• wherein, in a sensor mode, said classification information is used to communicate the sensor information via the communication link.

A method of operating a power sourcing equipment device for supplying power via a communication link to one or more powered devices, said method comprising:

• receiving a classification information via said communication link from a powered device during a classification phase;
• retrieving a sensor information indicating an ambient condition detected by a sensor of the powered device from said classification information.