Plug-in network interface with power supply for remote device

Abstract

A network device comprising: a first hybrid data / power cable comprising a power conductor and a data conductor extending between a first end and a second end thereof, the first end of the first hybrid data / power cable being terminated with a first connector head, the first connector head comprising a first fuse element connected in series with the power conductor of the first hybrid data / power cable; and a remote device coupled to the second end of the first hybrid data / power cable to receive a data signal from the data conductor of the first hybrid data / power cable and a DC voltage from the power conductor of the first hybrid data / power cable, the remote device comprising: a current-limiting circuit coupled in series with the current conductor of the first hybrid data / power cable to output a DC voltage; and a step-down / step-up converter coupled to the output of the current limiting circuit to adjust the DC voltage.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] Computing systems can contain a number of computing modules and other components (storage units, data routers, etc.) that may be connected by fiber optic cables transmitting high-bandwidth digital signals. Some computing modules and system components, such as rack-mounted computing modules in computing and data centers, may be interconnected by multiple external fiber optic cables. For interfaces configured as access points in a data network such as a LAN, which control access between the wired data network and a wireless network, the problem arises that each access point (1) must be connected to a separate power or voltage source (24). However, a suitable electrical outlet is not always available, so the necessary power lines must first be installed.In DE 102 09 339 A1, it is therefore proposed that all interfaces be arranged in a cascaded configuration within the data network, with the lines (wires a...f) being looped through. Since, for example, only four of the eight available wires in a LAN cable are typically used, the unused spare lines can be used for power supply, particularly for the additional interfaces (1). This allows an additional interface / access point to be advantageously connected at any point in the LAN network.The object of the present invention was to provide an improved network device and a system comprising a network switch with a power source coupled to the connector at the first end of the hybrid data / power cable in the network device according to the invention, wherein the power switch selectively supplies current to the power conductor of the hybrid data / power cable, as well as a method for operating a network device. This object is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of claims 1, 9 and 11. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] The present revelation is best understood from the following detailed description when read together with the accompanying figures, whereby: Fig. is a block diagram of a network device with a remote device, as shown in an example; Fig. is a block diagram of a network system with a network device and a remote device, according to an example; Fig. are a block diagram of a network system with a network device and a remote network device assembly according to another example; Fig. These are block diagrams that show example configurations of network systems in accordance with various examples; Fig. are block diagrams of a procedure for operating a network system according to an example; and Fig. is a block diagram of a network device that implements a procedure for operating a network system according to an example.

[0003] It is emphasized that, in accordance with standard industry practice, the various features are not drawn to scale. Rather, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily enlarged or reduced to ensure clarity of discussion or illustration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0004] Illustrative examples of the subject matter claimed below are disclosed. For the sake of clarity, this specification does not describe all features of an actual implementation. It will be evident that in developing such an actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions may be made to achieve the specific goals of the developers, such as adhering to system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Furthermore, it will be understood that such development effort, while complex and time-consuming, is a routine undertaking for professionals who have the benefit of this disclosure.

[0005] As used herein, the article "a" shall have its usual patent meaning, namely "one or more". Herein, the term "approximately", when applied to a value, generally means within the tolerance range of the device used to produce the value, or in some examples, it means plus or minus 10%, or plus or minus 5%, or plus or minus 1%, unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, the term "essentially", as used here, means a majority, or almost all, or all, or a quantity with a range of, say, about 51% to about 100%. Moreover, the examples given here are for illustrative purposes only and are presented for discussion purposes, not as limitations.

[0006] Furthermore, the term "conductor" refers to one or more conductive elements, such as wires, cables, tapes, electrical conductors and the like, which are capable of conducting alternating current ("AC") and / or direct current ("DC") from one point to another.

[0007] The term "data conductor" is intended to refer to one or more electrical, optical, or other elements capable of transmitting data, e.g., in the form of binary signals, from one point to another. A data conductor may be in the form of a single conductive element or a multitude of conductive elements, such as a twisted pair or a multifilament wire or cable, or in the form of a single optical signal conductor, such as an optical fiber, or a multitude of optical signal conductors, such as an optical duplex or multiplex cable containing two or more optical fibers.

[0008] The term "rectifier element" refers to an electrical component, such as a diode, rectifier, or circuit, such as a complementary metal oxide semiconductor circuit ("CMOS"), that performs a rectifying function for an electrical signal to allow the current to flow in only one direction along a conductive path containing the rectifier element.

[0009] A "current-limiting element" can comprise any discrete electronic component, such as a resistor, diode, rectifier, or transistor, or any combination thereof, or circuits containing combinations thereof, to perform a current-limiting function for an applied electric current. In some examples, a current-limiting element may be an active circuit containing transistors and other circuit elements to allow the current to flow freely with no significant resistance up to a predetermined threshold, above which the current is limited by increased resistance.

[0010] The term "protection element" is intended to refer to any electrical or electronic element that performs a limiting function, preventing a voltage or current from exceeding a predetermined threshold. A protection element can be a metallic element, such as a metallic filament that can be physically altered in response to an applied overvoltage or overcurrent; a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) component that experiences an increase in resistance in response to overvoltages or overcurrents, causing resistance heating; or active circuits that may contain CMOS circuit elements for limiting overcurrents or overvoltages.

[0011] In various scenarios, a remote network device, such as a media converter, can be connected to the physical interface (e.g., a port) of a computing device, such as a network switch. The physical interface might be a Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) socket on the network switch. The remote device could be a media converter used to establish data transmission compatibility between the computing device and one or more modular (e.g., SFP) transceivers, such as Long-Reach Multi-Mode (LRM) transceivers, which are not directly compatible with the computing device.Power from the computing device can be supplied to the remote device to power the circuitry of the remote device and the modular transceivers coupled to the remote device; however, a voltage drop may occur in the connection between the computing device and the remote device, so that not enough power is supplied to the remote device and the modular transceivers.

[0012] In some examples, one or more hybrid data and power cables (“hybrid data / power cables”), each having at least one power conductor and at least one data conductor, connect the compute device to the remote device. Hybrid data / power cables may include connectors compatible with the physical ports of the compute device. At least one connector of each hybrid data / power cable, preferably the connector connected to the compute device, contains a locking element. In some examples, one or both connectors of a hybrid data / power cable may contain a locking element to protect a connected device from electrical faults or short circuits and to prevent more than a predetermined amount of current from being drawn from one device to another via the hybrid data / power cable.

[0013] Furthermore, in various examples, a remote device may include a step-down / step-down converter to combine and adapt (step up or down) the DC voltage(s) from the one or more connecting hybrid data / power cables, and an optional additional power source may be provided for a remote device to supplement the power supplied to the voltage converter in the remote device. A rectifier element may be provided in a remote device to protect the computing device from voltage surges on the power conductors of the hybrid data / power cable(s).

[0014] Furthermore, in various examples, a hybrid data / power cable connector header can contain a memory element that holds identification information for the hybrid data / power cable. A network device, such as a switch, to which the hybrid data / power cable is connected, can access this identification information.

[0015] Fig. is a block diagram of a network device 100 that includes a remote device 106 with a hybrid data / power cable 108 according to one or more other examples. In some examples, the remote device 106 may be a media converter for activating a network device (in Fig. (not shown), such as a switch.

[0016] The hybrid data / power cable 108 terminates at one end with a first connector head 112. The first connector head 112 can be compatible with a Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) receptacle. SFP receptacles are configured to accept modular transceivers, such as Long-Reach Multi-Mode Transceivers (LRMs) for coupling with fiber optic cables. A modular transceiver compatible with SFP receptacles can receive both data and power signals through the SFP receptacle. SFP receptacles are also configured to accept the connector heads of Direct-Attach Copper Cables (DACs). DAC cables consist of two-way copper wires and are terminated at each end with connector heads that enable a direct data connection to receptacles, such as SFP receptacles, on network devices.

[0017] As in Fig. As shown, each hybrid data / power cable 108 can contain at least one data conductor 118 and at least one power conductor 120. In the example of Fig. A positive current conductor 124 and a grounded (GND) current conductor 126 are shown. The at least one data conductor 118 can comprise one or more axial twin cables in various examples.

[0018] In the first connector head 112 of the hybrid data / power cable 108, a fuse element 128 is connected in series with the positive current conductor 124. In some examples, the fuse element 128 can be a conventional metal wire fuse. In other examples, the fuse element 128 can be a resettable PTC fuse element. In still other examples, the fuse element 128 can be an active current-limiting circuit for limiting the passage of currents / voltages above a predefined threshold.

[0019] With continued reference to Fig. The positive conductor 124 of the hybrid data / power cable 108 is connected to a current-limiting circuit 132 in the remote device 106. In various examples, the current-limiting circuit 132 may include a current-limiting circuit in series with the positive conductor 124 to prevent overvoltages on the hybrid data / power cable 108 from being conducted back to the connector head 112. The current-limiting circuit 132 may also protect the hybrid data / power cable 108 and any device connected to it from electrical short circuits or other faults in the remote device 106 that could cause the remote device 106 to draw more current than expected.

[0020] In the example of Fig. An output 138 of the current-limiting circuit 132 is coupled to a buck / boost converter 140. The buck / boost converter 140 can operate to adjust (i.e., either increase or decrease) the voltage supplied by the hybrid data / power cable 108 after it has passed through the current-limiting circuit 132, in order to supply a regulated voltage, such as 3.3 V, to a modular socket 142 of the remote device 106. In some examples, the buck / boost converter can operate to compensate for voltage drops associated with the fuse element 128 in the terminal block 112.

[0021] In various examples, the modular socket 142 of the remote device 106 can include an SFP socket for accommodating a modular transceiver, such as an LRM transceiver, which is capable of transmitting and receiving data over fiber optic cables, which may be duplex fiber optic cables containing one, two or more optical fibers, such as a transmit optical fiber and a receive optical fiber.

[0022] Modular transceivers, such as LRM transceivers, can be connected to receive both power and electronic digital data signals from an SFP port on a network device. Modular transceivers can convert electronic digital data signals into optical signals that are transmitted over fiber optic cables connected to the modular transceivers. The power supplied by the SFP port powers the transceivers to perform this conversion. Alternatively, cables such as DAC cables can connect to a port like an SFP port to receive only the electronic digital data signals and transmit these signals over conductive wires.

[0023] Fig. is a block diagram of a network system 101 with a network device 102 and a remote device 106, which is coupled to the network device 102 via a variety of hybrid data / power cables 108, according to one or more other examples. The elements in the network system 101 of Fig. , which are essentially the same as those of System 100 of Fig. Devices that are identical have been assigned identical reference numbers. In some examples, the network device 102 might be a network switch with a variety of ports 110 for connecting the network device 102 to other network components. In some examples, the remote device 106 might be a media converter that enables a network device 102, such as a switch, to communicate with other network devices that might not be compatible with the ports 110 of the network device 102.

[0024] In various examples, a network device can perform any network data transfer operations, including but not limited to switching, routing, bridging, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, a network device can collect network operational information from various nodes of one or more networks, including network traffic load information, network topology information, network usage information, and so on. Additionally, a network device can send commands to various nodes of one or more networks to modify the network topology and routing to achieve various goals related to network efficiency and effectiveness.A person skilled in the art will understand that a network device may include all the necessary hardware components to carry out the inventions disclosed herein, including, but not limited to: processors, memory, display devices, input devices, communication devices, etc.

[0025] As mentioned, network device 102 is used in the example of Fig. connected to the remote device 106 via at least one hybrid data / power cable 108. In the example of Fig. Two hybrid data / power cables 108 are shown. Each hybrid data / power cable 108 terminates at a first end with a first connector head 112, which is inserted into a socket 110 of the network device 102. In various examples, each hybrid data / power cable 108 terminates at a second end with a second connector head 114, which is inserted into a socket 116 of the remote device 106.

[0026] In some examples, the 110 ports of the network device 102 and the 116 ports of the remote device 106 may be SFP ports, which, as mentioned above, are configured to accommodate the insertion of modular transceivers, such as LRM transceivers for coupling with fiber optic cables.

[0027] In some examples, such as the example of Fig. , the hybrid data / power cables 108 can be permanently wired to the remote device 106, thus eliminating the need for sockets 116 and second plug heads 114 at one end of each hybrid data / power cable 108.

[0028] As in Fig. As shown, each hybrid data / power cable 108 can contain at least one data conductor 118 and at least one power conductor 120. In the example of Fig. A positive current conductor 124 and a grounded (GND) current conductor 126 are shown. The at least one data conductor 118 can comprise one or more axial twin cables in various examples.

[0029] In the first connector head 112 of each hybrid data / power cable 108, a fuse element 128 is connected in series with the positive conductor 124. In some examples, the fuse element 128 may be a conventional metal wire fuse. In other examples, the fuse element 128 may be a resettable PTC fuse element. In other examples, the fuse element 128 may be an active current-limiting circuit for limiting the passage of currents / voltages above a predetermined threshold. Similar fuse elements 130 may be arranged in series with the positive conductors 124 of the hybrid data / power cables 108 in the second connector heads 114 of the hybrid data / power cables 108 that are connected to the remote device 106.

[0030] With continued reference to Fig. The positive conductors 124 of the hybrid data / power cables 108 are each connected to a current-limiting circuit 132 in the remote device 106. In some examples, the current-limiting circuit 132 combines the power supplied on the positive conductors 124 of the hybrid data / power cables 108 and may include a current-limiting circuit 133 in series with each positive conductor 124 to prevent overvoltages from being conducted back to the network device 102 on the hybrid data / power cables 108. In other examples, the current-limiting circuit 132 may include an active circuit for balancing the current transmitted via the hybrid data / power cables 108 to prevent excessive currents and / or voltages from tripping the fuses 128 in the first connector head 112 and second connector head 114 of each hybrid data / power cable 108.

[0031] An additional input 134 for the current limiting circuit 132 can be provided by an external power supply 136 for the remote device 106. In various examples, the external power supply 136 can be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) input that supplies power via a USB port. The external power supply at the additional input 134 is connected to the current limiting circuit 132 and is, in the example of Fig. coupled in series with a current limiting circuit 133. The outputs of the respective current limiting circuits 133 are combined at an output 138, which thus reflects the combined voltages that can be received by the hybrid data / power cables 108 and / or the additional input 134.

[0032] In the example of Fig. The output 138 of the current limiting circuit 132 is coupled to a buck / boost converter 140. The buck / boost converter 140 can operate by adjusting (i.e., either increasing or decreasing) the combined voltages provided by the hybrid data / power cables 108 and the external power supply 136 after they have passed through the current limiting circuit 132, in order to provide a regulated voltage, such as 3.3 V, for one or more modular jacks 142 of the remote device 106.

[0033] In various examples, the modular sockets 142 of the remote device 106 can include SFP sockets for accommodating modular transceivers, such as transceiver 144, as shown in Fig. shown. In some examples, the transceivers can be 144 LRM transceivers, which are operable for sending and receiving data on fiber optic cables, which can be duplex fiber optic cables containing one, two or more optical fibers, such as one transmit optical fiber and one receive optical fiber.

[0034] With continued reference to Fig. The operation of the network device 102 can be controlled by a central processing unit (“CPU”) 146, which operates according to the program instructions stored in an attached memory 148. Furthermore, the data conductor 118, which is connected to the network device 102 at the first terminals 112, can be connected to a processing circuit, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”) 150. The ASIC 150 can also be connected to the CPU 146. As described in Fig. As shown, the network device 102 can include a power supply 152 to supply the network device 102 and the power conductors 120 of the hybrid data / power cables 108 attached to the network device.

[0035] In examples, within the remote device 106, the data received by the transceivers 144 can be processed by an electronic dispersion compensation circuit (“EDC”) 154 before being forwarded to the hybrid data / power cables 108. The EDC processing by the EDC circuit 154 can compensate for data distortions that occur due to optical dispersion in the fiber optic cables connected to the transceivers 144.

[0036] As in Fig. As shown, the remote device 106 can contain a CPU 156 for controlling the operation of the remote device 106. The CPU 156 can be coupled to a memory 158 that contains program instructions for the CPU 156.

[0037] Fig. Together, these elements form a block diagram of a network system 200 according to one or more other examples. The network system 200 comprises a network device 202 and a remote device 206, which is connected to the network device 202 via a variety of hybrid data / power cables 208. In some examples, the network device 202 may be a network switch, which has a variety of ports 210 for connecting the network device 202 to other network components. In some examples, the remote device 206 may be a media converter, which enables a network device 202, such as a switch, to communicate with other network devices that may not be compatible with the ports 210 of the network device 202.

[0038] As mentioned above, the network device 202 in the example of Fig. connected to the remote device 206 via at least one hybrid data / power cable 208. In the example of Fig. Two hybrid data / power cables 208 are shown. Each hybrid data / power cable 208 terminates at a first end with a first connector head 212, which is inserted into a socket 210 of the network device 202. In various examples, each hybrid data / power cable 208 terminates at a second end with a second connector head 214, which is inserted into a socket 216 of the remote device 206.

[0039] In some examples, the 210 ports of the network device 202 and the 216 ports of the remote device 206 may be Small Form-Factor Pluggable (“SFP”) ports, as described above with reference to Fig. As previously described, modular transceivers compatible with SFP connectors can receive both data and power signals via the SFP connector. SFP connectors are also configured to accept the plug heads of DAC cables.

[0040] In some examples, although in the example of Fig. Not shown, hybrid data / power cables 208 can be permanently wired to the remote device 206, thus eliminating the need for sockets 216 and second plug heads 214 at one end of each hybrid data / power cable 208.

[0041] As in Fig. 2A and Fig. As shown in Figure 2B, each hybrid data / power cable 208 can contain at least one data conductor 218 and at least one power conductor 220. In the example of Fig. A positive current conductor 224 and a grounding current conductor 226 are shown. The at least one data conductor 218 can comprise one or more axial twin cables 222 in various examples.

[0042] In the first connector head 212 of each hybrid data / power cable 208, a fuse element 228 is connected in series with the positive conductor 224. In some examples, the fuse elements 228 can be a conventional metal wire fuse. In other examples, the fuse elements 228 can be resettable PTC fuse elements. In other examples, the fuse elements 228 can be active current-limiting circuits for limiting the passage of currents / voltages above a predetermined threshold. Similar fuse elements 230 can be arranged in the second connector heads 214 of the hybrid data / power cables 208, which are connected to the remote device 206, in addition to the fuse elements 228 in the first connector heads 212 of each hybrid data / power cable 208, in series with the positive conductors 224.The safety elements 228 and 230 can protect the network device 202 from overvoltages or overcurrents that occur on the power conductors 220 of the hybrid data / power cables 208.

[0043] With continued reference to Fig. The positive current conductors 224 of the hybrid data / power cables 208 are each coupled to a current limiting circuit 232 in the remote device 206. In various examples, the current limiting circuit 232 combines the current signals on the positive current conductors 224 of the hybrid data / power cables 208 and can connect a current limiting element 233 (in the Fig. The current limiting circuit 232 may include a current limiting circuit (designated “CL”) in series with each positive current conductor 224 to prevent overvoltages on the hybrid data / power cables 208 from being conducted back to the network device 202. In other examples, the current limiting circuit 232 may include an active circuit to equalize the current transmitted via the hybrid data / power cables 208 to prevent excessive currents and / or voltages from tripping the fuses 228 in the first connector head 212 and the second connector head 214 of each hybrid data / power cable 208, or to equalize the currents of the hybrid data / power cables 208.

[0044] An additional input 234 for the current-limiting circuit 232 can be provided by an external power supply 236 for the remote device 206. In various examples, the external power supply 236 can be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) input, supplying power via a USB port. The external power supply at the additional input 234 is applied to the current-limiting circuit 232 and is, in the example of Fig. coupled in series with a current-limiting element 233.

[0045] In the example of Fig. An output 238 of the current limiting circuit 232 is coupled to a buck / boost converter 240. The buck / boost converter 240 can operate by adjusting (i.e., either increasing or decreasing) the combined voltages provided by the hybrid data / power cables 208 and the external power supply 236 after they have passed through the current limiting circuit 232, in order to provide a regulated voltage, such as 3.3 V, for one or more modular jacks 242 of the remote device 206.

[0046] In various examples, the modular sockets 242 of the remote device 206 can include SFP sockets for accommodating modular transceivers, such as transceiver 244, as shown in Fig. shown. The transceivers 244 may be LRM transceivers, which are used for sending and receiving data over optical cables such as those in Fig. The fiber optic cables 270 and 272 shown are operable and can be optical duplex cables containing one, two, or more optical fibers, such as a transmit optical fiber and a receive optical fiber. The fiber optic cables 270 and 272 can couple transceivers 244 with LRM terminals 274.

[0047] With continued reference to Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B The operation of the network device 202 can be controlled by a CPU 246, which operates according to the program instructions stored in an attached memory 248. Furthermore, data lines 218, which are connected to the network device 202 at first terminals 212, can be connected to a processing circuit, such as an ASIC 250. The ASIC 250 can also be connected to the CPU 246. As shown in Fig. As shown, the network device 202 can include a power supply 252 to supply the network device 202 as well as the power conductor 220 of the hybrid data / power cables 208 connected to the network device.

[0048] As in Fig. As shown, the first terminals 212 of each hybrid data / power cable 208 can contain a storage device, such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) 254, which can be coupled to the CPU 246 of the network device 202. In various examples, EEPROMs 254 can store information that identifies the characteristics of hybrid data / power cables. The EEPROMs 254 can be accessible to the CPU 246 so that the CPU 246 can control the operation of the network device 202 according to the characteristics of the hybrid data / power cables 208 inserted into the sockets 210 of the network device 202. For example, the CPU 246 can query the EEPROMs 254 of the first connector heads 212 to determine that the cables 208 are hybrid data / power cables that are to be supplied with power from the power source 252.In response to the identification information, the CPU 246 can selectively control the network device 202 to provide power via the power conductors 220 of the hybrid data / power cables 208.

[0049] With continued reference to Fig. The operation of the remote device 206 can be controlled by a central processing unit (CPU) 256, which operates according to the program instructions stored in an attached memory 258.

[0050] In examples, within the remote device 206, the data received by the transceivers 244 can be processed by an electronic dispersion compensation (EDC) circuit 268 before being forwarded to the hybrid data / power cables 208. The EDC processing by the EDC circuit 268 can compensate for data distortions that occur due to optical dispersion in the fiber optic cables 270 and 272 connected to the transceivers 244.

[0051] As in Fig. As shown, the remote device 206 can contain a CPU 256 for controlling the operation of the remote device 206. The CPU 256 can be coupled to a memory 258 that contains program instructions for the CPU 256. In various examples, second connection heads 214, inserted into sockets 216 of the remote device 206, can contain memory devices, such as those shown in the Fig. The EEPROMs 260 shown contain identification information for hybrid data / power cables 208. In examples, the CPU 256 can be coupled to the EEPROMs 260 via inter-circuit communication lines 262 to enable the CPU 256 to query the EEPROMs 260 and thereby obtain identification information for hybrid data / power cables 208 inserted into sockets 216 of the remote device 206. In response to the identification information, the remote device 206 can selectively receive power from the power conductor 220 of the hybrid data / power cable 208.

[0052] In the example of Fig. A voltage monitor 276 can be connected to the individual inputs of the current-limiting circuit 232 via lines 278. The voltage monitor 276 can communicate with the CPU 256 of the remote device 206 via a connection and may include an active power-matching circuit that works in conjunction with the current-limiting circuit 232 to prevent overvoltages or overcurrents at the output 238 of the current-limiting circuit 232. The voltage monitor 276 can also communicate with the CPU 256 via a connection 280 to achieve the desired load balancing.

[0053] Additionally, a reverse current blocking circuit 282 can be provided between the buck / boost converter 240 and the current inputs 284 to the modular sockets 242. The reverse current blocking circuit 282 can include a rectifier element, such as a diode, to prevent the reverse current from the sockets 242 from interfering with the operation of the buck / boost converter 240. The reverse current blocking circuit 282 can also perform a current limiting function to prevent undesirably high currents from being drawn by a connected transceiver 244. Additionally, power conversion circuits 286 can be provided for the EDC circuit 254 and the CPU 256 to ensure that the correct power levels are supplied.

[0054] Fig. These examples show different configurations of hybrid data / power cables that connect a network device to a remote device, according to various examples. As described, in each of these examples, a switch is connected to a media controller via a combination of hybrid data / power cables, power cables, and data cables. It should be understood that the examples in the Fig. The switches and media converters shown are for illustrative purposes only, and it is understood that other network devices besides switches and other remote devices besides media converters can be connected as shown in these examples. Furthermore, the jacks for connecting cables between the devices are... Fig. Although SFP sockets are used, in other examples these sockets may be of a different type.

[0055] In Fig. A switch 302 is connected to a media converter 304 via two hybrid data / power cables 306 and 308. In this example, hybrid data / power cable 306 is connected at one end to a first SFP port 310 of the switch 302. Hybrid data / power cable 306 is connected at its second end to an SFP port 312 of the media converter 304. Furthermore, hybrid data / power cable 308 is connected at its first end to a second SFP port 314 of the switch 302 and at its second end to a second SFP port 316 of the media converter 304. A pair of LRM transceivers 318 and 320 are inserted into the media converter 304 to establish a connection to a corresponding pair of fiber optic cables 322 and 324. In the Fig. In the illustrated arrangement, the power supply for the media converter 304 as well as for the LRM transceivers 318 and 320 can be provided via the two hybrid data / power cables 306 and 308. Data on the hybrid data / power cable 306 can be converted by the media converter 304 for transmission through the LRM transceiver 318 and the optical cable 322, while data on the hybrid data / power cable 308 can be converted by the media converter 304 for transmission through the LRM transceiver 320 and the optical cable 324.

[0056] In this example, the switch 302 is connected to the media converter 304 via a hybrid data / power cable 326 and a power cable 328 (see Fig. Specifically, the hybrid data / power cable 326 is connected at one end to the first SFP socket 310 of the switch 302 and at the other end to the first SFP socket 312 of the media converter 304. The power cable 328 is connected at one end to the second SFP socket 314 of the switch 302 and at the other end to the second SFP socket 316 of the media converter 304. In this example, a single LRM transceiver 318 is coupled to the media converter for connection to the first optical cable 322. In this arrangement, power to the media converter 304 and to the LRM transceiver 318 can be supplied via either the hybrid data / power cable 326 or the power cable 328.

[0057] To Fig. In this example, the switch 302 is connected to the media converter 304 via a hybrid data / power cable 334. Specifically, the data cable 334 is connected at one end to the first SFP socket 310 of the switch 302 and at the other end to the first SFP socket 312 of the media converter 304. However, in this example, the power supplied via the hybrid data / power cable 334 between SFP sockets 310 and 312 may not be sufficient to power the media converter 304 and the transceiver 318. No connection is provided between the second SFP socket 314 of the switch 302 and the second SFP socket 316 of the media converter 304. The LRM transceiver 318 is coupled to the media converter 304 for connection to the first optical cable 322.Since the power supply to the media converter 304 via the data cable 334 may not be sufficient in this arrangement, the external power supply 332 is coupled to the media converter to supply power to the media converter 304 and the transceiver 318.

[0058] With reference to Fig. This is a flowchart for a Procedure 400 for operating a network system according to one or more examples. In this example, block 402 queries a memory element of a first connector head of a first hybrid data / power cable installed in a first socket of a network device to obtain identification information for the first hybrid data / power cable. Block 402 may be accessed by a CPU in some examples (such as CPU 246 in the example of Fig. a network device (such as network device 202 and first connector head 212 of the first hybrid data / power cable 208 in the example of Fig. be implemented.

[0059] In block 404 of Fig. A current signal is selectively applied across a conductor of the first hybrid data / power cable in response to the identification information obtained in block 402. Next, a fuse element, such as fuse element 228 in the example of [reference missing], is installed in block 406. Fig. , in series with the power conductor of the hybrid data / power cable in the first connector head of the first hybrid data / power cable.

[0060] In block 408 of Fig. A second connector head of the first hybrid data / power cable is installed in a first socket of a remote device. An example of this is in Fig. shown where the second connector head 214 of a first hybrid data / power cable 208 is installed in the socket 216 of the remote device 106.

[0061] In block 410 of Fig. A power signal is delivered on the power conductor of the first hybrid data / power cable to a remote device. In block 412 of Fig. A memory element in the first connector head of a second hybrid data / power cable is queried to obtain identification information for the second hybrid data / power cable, and in block 414 of Fig. A power signal is selectively applied to a power conductor in the second hybrid data / power cable. This is explained above with reference to the example of Fig. described.

[0062] In block 416 of Fig. A locking element is provided in the first connector head of the second hybrid data / power cable in series with the power conductor of the second hybrid data / power cable. This is also done with reference to the example of Fig. described. In block 418 of Fig. A second connector head of the second hybrid data / power cable is installed in a second socket of the remote device, as also described in the example of Fig. described.

[0063] In block 420 of Fig. The electrical signals on the respective conductors of the first and second hybrid data / power cables are combined. An example of this is in Fig. The figure shows where the power conductors 224 of the first and second hybrid data / power cables 208 are combined at the output 238 of the current limiting circuit 232. In block 422 of Fig. The combined power signals from the power conductors of the first and second hybrid data / power cables can optionally be combined with a power signal from an external power supply. For example, Fig. An external power supply 236 is supplied to the current-limiting circuit 232 and combined with the power signals of the hybrid data / power cables at the output 238 of the current-limiting circuit 232.

[0064] In block 424 of Fig. The combined power signals from the power conductors of the first and second hybrid data / power cables, along with the optionally provided external power signal, are delivered to a step-down / step-up converter. This is the case in the example of Fig. 2A and Fig. Figure 2B shows the output 238 of the current limiting circuit 232 being applied to the input of the buck / boost converter 240.

[0065] Finally, in block 426 of Fig. A modified power signal, generated by the step-down / step-up converter, is delivered to a transceiver coupled to the remote device. In the example of Fig. The output of the step-down / step-up converter is applied via the reverse current blocker 282 to the transceivers 244 coupled to the remote device 206.

[0066] Fig. Figure 500 is a block diagram of a network device 500 that implements an operating procedure according to one or more disclosed examples. The network device 500 comprises at least one processor 502 and a machine-readable storage medium 504. As shown, the machine-readable storage medium 504 can store instructions which, when executed by the processor 502 (either directly or via emulation / virtualization), cause the hardware processor 502 to perform one or more disclosed methods in the system memory of a compute resource.

[0067] In the example of Fig. The machine-readable memory medium 504 contains, in block 506, instructions that cause the processor 502 to query a memory element in a first connector of a hybrid data / power cable installed in a first socket of a network device to obtain information for the first hybrid data / power cable. In the example of Fig. The CPU 246 in the network device 202, which operates on the basis of instructions in memory 248, can query the memory element (EEPROM 254) of a first hybrid data / power cable 208 to obtain identification information for the first hybrid data / power cable 208.

[0068] Block 508 in the example of Fig. represents stored instructions for the selective provision of a power signal via a power conductor of the first hybrid data / power cable. Again, the CPU 246 can be used in the example of Fig.cause a current signal to be selectively applied to the first hybrid data / power cable 208 in response to identification information of the first hybrid data / power cable 208 obtained by EEPROM 254.

[0069] Examples in the present disclosure may relate to a non-transitory, computer-readable medium that stores computer-executable instructions and can be executed by one or more processors of the computer accessing the computer-readable medium. A computer-readable medium may be any available medium accessible to a computer. Such computer-readable media may include, for example, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable / programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc ROM (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, a magnetic disk storage device or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that a computer can access.Disk and Disc, as used here, include Compact Disc (“CD”), Laser Disc, Optical Disc, Digital Versatile Disc (“DVD”), Floppy Disc and Blu-ray® Disc, with Disks normally reproducing data magnetically, while Discs optically reproducing data using lasers.

[0070] Note also that the software-implemented aspects of the subject matter are generally encoded on some form of program storage medium or implemented via some type of transmission medium. The program storage medium is a non-transient medium and can be magnetic (e.g., a floppy disk or a hard disk) or optical (e.g., a compact disc read-only storage device or "CD-ROM") and can be write-protected or random-accessible. Likewise, the transmission medium can be a twisted pair of wires, a coaxial cable, an optical fiber, or any other suitable transmission medium known in the art. The claimed subject matter is not limited by these aspects of a particular implementation.

Claims

[1] A network device comprising: a first hybrid data / power cable including a power conductor and a data conductor extending between a first end and a second end thereof, the first end of the first hybrid data / power cable being terminated with a first connector head, the first connector head including a first fuse element connected in series with the power conductor of the first hybrid data / power cable; and a remote device coupled to the second end of the first hybrid data / power cable for receiving a data signal from the data conductor of the first hybrid data / power cable and a DC voltage from the power conductor of the first hybrid data / power cable, the remote device comprising: a current-limiting circuit coupled in series with the power conductor of the first hybrid data / power cable to output a DC voltage; and a buck / boost converter coupled to the output of the current limiting circuit to adjust the DC voltage. [2] The network device of claim 1, wherein the buck / boost converter supplies the adjusted DC voltage to a jack of the remote device for receiving a modular transceiver. [3] The network device of claim 1, wherein the remote device further includes an input for receiving power from an external power supply to be combined in the current limiting circuit with the DC voltage from the power conductor of the first hybrid data / power cable. [4] The network device of claim 1, wherein the first connector head further includes a memory element that stores an identification for the first hybrid data / power cable. [5] The network device of claim 1, wherein the second end of the first hybrid data / power cable is terminated with a second terminal head including a second fuse element in series with the power conductor. [6] The network device of claim 5, wherein the second connector head includes a memory element that stores the identification for the hybrid data / power cable. [7] The network device of claim 1, further comprising: a second hybrid data / power cable including a power conductor and a data conductor extending between a first end and a second end thereof, the first end of the second hybrid data / power cable being terminated with a first connector head, the first connector head of the second hybrid data / power cable including a fuse element connected in series with the power conductor; wherein the remote device is coupled to the second end of the second hybrid data / power cable to receive a power signal from the power conductor of the second hybrid data / power cable; and wherein the current limiting device combines the power signal from the power conductor of the first hybrid data / power cable with the power signal from the power conductor of the second hybrid data / power cable to generate a combined power signal. [8] The network device of claim 7, further comprising: an electronic dispersion compensation circuit in series with the data conductor. [9] A system comprising a network switch having a power source coupled to the connection head at the first end of the hybrid data / power cable in the network device of claim 3, wherein the power switch selectively supplies power to the power conductor of the hybrid data / power cable. [10] The system of claim 9, wherein the identification information is accessible to the network switch. [11] A method of operating a network device, comprising: querying a memory element in a first connector head of a first hybrid data / power cable installed in a first receptacle of the network device to obtain identification information for the first hybrid data / power cable; selectively providing a power signal via a power conductor of the first hybrid data / power cable in response to the identification information for the first hybrid data / power cable; and Providing a fuse element in the first connector head of the first hybrid data / power cable in series with the power conductor; querying a memory element in a first connector head of a second hybrid data / power cable installed in a second receptacle of the network device to obtain identification information for the second hybrid data / power cable; selectively providing a power signal via a power conductor of the second hybrid data / power cable in response to the identification information for the second hybrid data / power cable; and Providing a fuse element in the second connector head of the second hybrid data / power cable in series with the power conductor of the second hybrid data / power cable. [12] The method of claim 11, further comprising: Installing a second connector head of the first hybrid data / power cable into a first receptacle of a remote device; Providing the power signal from the power conductor of the first hybrid data / power cable to the remote device. [13] The method of claim 12, further comprising: Providing a fuse element in the second connector head of the first hybrid data / power cable in series with the power conductor. [14] The method of claim 12, further comprising: Obtaining identification information for the first hybrid data / power cable from a second memory element in the second connector head. [15] The method of claim 11, further comprising: Installing a second connector head of the second hybrid data / power cable into a second receptacle of the remote device; Combining the power signal from the power conductor of the second hybrid data / power cable with the power signal from the power conductor of the first hybrid data / power cable to generate a combined power signal. [16] The method of claim 15, further comprising: Applying the combined power signal to a buck / boost converter to adjust the combined power signal. [17] The method of claim 11, further comprising: Combining the power signal from the power conductor of the first hybrid data / power cable with a power signal from an external power supply. [18] The method of claim 12, further comprising: Providing the power signal from the power conductor of the first hybrid data / power cable to a data transceiver coupled to the remote device.

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