Apparatus for supplying power to communication devices operating within
a Local Area Network (LAN) over LAN cabling, the communication devices including
one or more powered devices adapted to receive power over the LAN cabling, the
apparatus including a power supply which is adapted to receive power from an unregulated
source and to provide therefrom regulated power. The apparatus further includes
power distribution and control circuitry, which is adapted to identify the powered
devices on the LAN, to receive the regulated power and to generate therefrom respective
output voltages for supply to the powered devices. The apparatus is housed in a
chassis which retains the power supply and the power distribution and control circuitry
as a single module.