Method and apparatus for power management in a local area network

A method of power management for use in a local area network in which a plurality of local area network nodes are supplied power over communication cabling, the method comprising:

• supplying power to a plurality of local area network nodes over communication cabling;
• inputting a total power availability;
• monitoring a total power consumption, said total power consumption being a function of said supplied power;
• establishing a first limit for said monitored total power consumption;
• establishing a second limit for said monitored total power consumption, said second limit being lower than said first limit;
• in the event said first limit is exceeded, disconnecting said supplied power to at least one of said plurality of local area network nodes;
• and
• in the event said first limit is not exceeded and said second limit is exceeded, supplying power to an additional node only after disconnecting said supplied power to at least one of said plurality of local area network nodes.

A system for supplying power to a plurality of local area network nodes over communication cabling, comprising:

• one of a power supply interface and a combiner;
• and
• a power management and control unit associated with said one of a power supply interface and a combiner;
• said power management and control unit being operable to:
• supply power via said one of a power supply interface and a combiner to the plurality of local area network nodes over the communication cabling;
• input total power available;
• monitor a total of said power supplied to the plurality of local area network nodes;
• establish a first limit for said monitored total supplied power;
• establish a second limit for said monitored total supplied power, said second limit being lower than said first limit;
• in the event that said first limit of said monitored total supplied power is exceeded, disconnect said supplied power to at least one of said plurality of local area network nodes;
• and
• in the event that said first limit of said monitored total supplied power is not exceeded and said second limit of said monitored total supplied power is exceeded, supply power to an additional node only after disconnecting said supplied power to at least one of said plurality of local area network nodes.

A power supply subsystem for supplying power to a plurality of local area network nodes over communication cabling, comprising:

• a power supply;
• one of a power supply interface and a combiner operable to supply power from said power supply to the plurality local area network nodes over communication cabling;
• and
• a power management and control unit in communication with at least one of said power supply and said one of a power supply interface and a combiner;
• said power management and control unit being operable to:
• supply power from said power supply to the plurality of local area network nodes over communication cabling via said one of a power supply interface and a combiner;
• input total power available from said power supply;
• monitor a total of said power supplied to said plurality of local area network nodes;
• establish a first limit for said monitored total supplied power;
• establish a second limit for said monitored total supplied power, said second limit being lower than said first limit;
• in the event that said first limit of said monitored total supplied power is exceeded, disconnect said supplied power to at least one of said plurality of local area network nodes;
• and
• in the event that said first limit of said monitored total supplied power is not exceeded and said second limit of said monitored total supplied power is exceeded, not supply power to an additional node requesting power.