Method and apparatus for remote powering of device connected to network

A network endpoint for connecting to a network cable comprising:

• a receive input for connecting to the network cable;
• a transmit output for connecting to the network cable;
• and
• a switching circuit having a first position relaying a discovery packet received on the receive input back out through the transmit output and automatically switching to a second position receiving data and remote power at the input and outputting data and providing a power return path at the output.

An article comprising a machine-accessible medium having associated data that, when accessed, results in a machine determining suitability of providing remote power to a network device, the machine-accessible medium comprising:

• code for generating a discovery signal before the network device receives power;
• code for transmitting the discovery signal from the network node to the network device;
• code for monitoring for a return signal from the network device;
• code for comparing the return signal to the discovery signal if the return signal is received from the network device;
• code for determining that the network device is suitable for remote powering when the return signal matches the discovery signal;
• and
• code for determining that the network device is unsuitable for remote powering when the return signal is not received or when the return signal, with the exception of line losses, does not match the discovery signal.

A circuit, comprising:

• a first interface;
• a second interface;
• and
• a switching circuit having a first state for receiving a remote power discovery signal on the first interface and sending a reply signal out through the second interface and automatically switching to a second state for receiving data and remote power at the first interface and outputting data and providing a power return path at the second interface.