Automatic correspondence of encoders and decoders to video ports

A method for mapping outlet ports of a power distribution unit (PDU) to encoders and decoders connected to the PDU, comprising:

• at a PDU comprising a plurality of outlet ports directly connected to a plurality of respective devices comprising encoders and decoders coupled to a video communications network:
• turning on the plurality of outlet ports to supply power to the plurality of devices plugged into the plurality of respective outlet ports;
• querying the video communications network to identify a first plurality of encoders and decoders connected to the video communications network;
• and
• for each outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports:
• turning off the outlet port to stop supplying power to a device plugged into the outlet port;
• querying the video communications network to identify a second plurality of encoders decoders connected to the video communications network;
• detecting a device from the first plurality of identified encoders and decoders that is absent from the second plurality of identified encoders and decoders;
• mapping the outlet port to the detected device in a mapping table;
• and
• turning on the outlet port to resupply power back to the plugged-in device.

A networked device for mapping to encoders and decoders coupled to a video communications network, the networked device comprising a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports and coupled to the video communications network, the networked device comprising one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the networked device to:

• request a power distribution unit (PDU) comprising a plurality of outlet ports connected to a plurality of respective devices to turn on the plurality of outlet ports to supply power to the plurality of connected devices, wherein the plurality of connected devices comprises encoders and decoders;
• query the video communications network to identify a first plurality of encoders and decoders connected to the video communications network;
• and
• for each outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports of the PDU:
• request the PDU to turn off the outlet port to stop supplying power to a device plugged into the outlet port;
• query the video communications network to identify a second plurality of encoders and decoders connected to the video communications network;
• detect a device from the first plurality of identified encoders and decoders that is absent from the second plurality of identified encoders and decoders;
• determine whether a communications port from the plurality of input and output ports is unresponsive and no longer communicating video signals;
• in response to determining that the communications port is unresponsive, map the communications port to the detected device in a mapping table;
• and
• request the PDU to turn on the outlet port to resupply power back to the device plugged in to the outlet port.

A power distribution unit (PDU) for mapping to encoders and decoders coupled to a video communication network, the PDU comprising a plurality of outlet ports directly connected to a plurality of respective devices comprising the encoders and decoders coupled to the video communications network, the PDU comprising one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors cause the PDU to:

• turn on the plurality of outlet ports to supply power to the plurality of devices plugged into the plurality of respective outlet ports;
• query the video communications network to identify a first plurality of encoders and decoders connected to the video communications network;
• and
• for each outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports:
• turn off the outlet port to stop supplying power to a device plugged into the outlet port;
• query the video communications network to identify a second plurality of encoders and decoders connected to the video communications network;
• detect a device from the first plurality of identified encoders and decoders that is absent from the second plurality of identified encoders and decoders;
• map the outlet port to the detected device in a mapping table;
• and
• turn on the outlet port to resupply power back to the plugged-in device.