Apparatus for cutting power to processing circuitry in a network interface

A host device capable of communicating with an external network, said host device comprising:

• data processing circuitry capable of transmitting data to and receiving data from said external network;
• and
• a network interface capable of transferring data between said data processing circuitry and said external network, said network interface comprising:
• a data transceiver capable of transmitting data to and receiving data from said external network;
• a connection jack into which a cable connection plug may be inserted, wherein said connection jack is operable to couple a data line from said data transceiver to a corresponding data line in said cable connection plug;
• and
• a switch associated with said connection jack capable of connecting an externally received power supply voltage received from said host device to said data transceiver, wherein said switch is in an open position when said cable connection plug is not inserted into said connection jack and wherein insertion of said cable connection plug into said connection jack closes said switch to thereby supply power to said data transceiver, and wherein the externally received power supply voltage is not received via the connection jack.

A host device capable of communicating with an external network, said host device comprising:

• data processing circuitry including at least one power supply connection and capable of transmitting data to and receiving data from said external network;
• and
• a network interface capable of transferring data between said data processing circuitry and said external network, said network interface comprising:
• a data transceiver capable of transmitting data to and receiving data from said external network;
• a connection jack into which a cable connection plug may be inserted, wherein said connection jack is operable to couple a data line from said data transceiver to a corresponding data line in said cable connection plug;
• and
• a switch associated with said connection jack capable of connecting an externally received power supply voltage received from the power supply connection to said data transceiver, wherein said switch is in an open position when said cable connection plug is not inserted into said connection jack and wherein insertion of said cable connection plug into said connection jack closes said switch to thereby supply power to said data transceiver and wherein the externally received power supply voltage is not received via the connection jack.