Dynamic network-wide coordinated management of power over ethernet

A system comprising a plurality of Power Sourcing Equipments (PSEs) in a computer network, wherein each respective PSE comprises a processor and memory with instructions thereon which, when executed by the processor, cause the respective PSE to perform a set of actions comprising:

• receiving an electronic communication including a policy that specifies a set of rules for prioritizing power distribution over Ethernet for the computer network;
• detecting that a set of Powered Devices (PDs) are connected to a set of ports located on the respective PSE via a set of the Ethernet cables;
• receiving, from the set of PDs via the set of the Ethernet cables, identification information for the set of PDs;
• assigning priority levels to the PDs in the set of PDs by electronically comparing the identification information to the set of rules;
• determining, based on the priority levels and a present level of available power for a portion of the computer network that includes the respective PSE, that power can presently be supplied to the complete set of PDs via the set of ports without violating the policy;
• and
• in response to determining that power can presently be supplied to the complete set of PDs via the set of ports without violating the policy, supplying power to the complete set of PDs via the set of ports and the set of Ethernet cables.

The system of 11, wherein selecting the preferred group of PDs comprises:

• calculating an additional sum of wattage ratings for the PDs in the preferred subset;
• determining that the additional sum does not exceed the updated present level of available power for the portion of the computer network that includes the respective PSE;
• determining a difference by subtracting the sum from the updated present level of available power;
• and
• determining that no PD in the remainder subset has a wattage rating that is less than or equal to the difference.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions thereon which, when executed by one or more processors, perform the following set of actions:

• receiving, at a Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) via a computer network, an electronic communication including a policy that specifies a set of rules for prioritizing power distribution over Ethernet for the computer network;
• detecting, at the PSE, that a first Powered Device (PD) is connected via a first Ethernet cable to a first port located on the PSE;
• receiving, at the PSE, first identification information from the first PD;
• assigning a first priority level to the first PD by electronically comparing the first identification information to the set of rules;
• determining, based on the first priority level and a present level of available power fora portion of the computer network that includes the PSE, that power can presently be supplied to the first PD via the first port without violating the policy;
• and
• in response to the determining, supplying power from the PSE to the first PD via the first port and the first Ethernet cable.