US 7,002,354 B1 · Cable tester

Abstract

A physical layer device that is adapted to communicate with a cable medium and that includes an indicator comprises a first input/output terminal and a first transceiver that communicates with the first input/output terminal that is adapted to be connected to the cable medium. A detector detects a power over Ethernet (POE) device. A switching device selectively provides power from a power supply over the cable medium when the detector detects the POE device. A cable tester communicates with the first transceiver, tests the cable medium and determines a cable status, and delays testing of the cable medium when the detector detects the POE device until the switching device provides the power. The indicator indicates at least one of cable testing status during the test and the cable status after the test.

Claims60

Dependent claims

A physical layer device that is adapted to communicate with a cable medium and that includes an indicator, comprising:

a first input/output terminal;
a first transceiver that communicates with said first input/output terminal that is adapted to be connected to the cable medium;
a detector that detects a power over Ethernet (POE) device;
a power supply;
a switching device that selectively provides power from said power supply over the cable medium when said detector detects said POE device;
and
a cable tester that communicates with said first transceiver, that tests the cable medium and determines a cable status, and that delays testing of the cable medium when said detector detects said POE device until said switching device provides said power, wherein the indicator indicates at least one of cable testing status during said test and said cable status after said test.

4 more elements

A physical layer device that is adapted to communicate with a cable medium and indicator that provides at least one of audio and visual status information, comprising:

a first input/output terminal;
first transceiver means for communicating with said first input/output terminal, that is adapted to be communicate over the cable medium;
detecting means for detecting a power over Ethernet (POE) device;
power supply means for supplying power;
switching means for selectively providing power from said power supply over the cable medium when said detecting means detects said POE device;
and
cable testing means that communicates with said first transceiver means for testing the cable medium, for determining a cable status, and for delaying testing of the cable medium when said detecting means detects said POE device until said switching means provides said power, and
wherein the indicator displays at least one of cable testing status during said test and said cable status after said test.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Cable tester

Life of this patent

Cable tester

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims60