Profiling of devices powered through power over ethernet for device security

Abstract

Profiles of powered devices (PDs) are created based on monitoring device attributes and power consumption trends for connected PDs. An agent executing on power sourcing equipment (PSE) determines device attributes of connected PDs per port based on data received on each port of the PSE on which a PD is connected. The agent communicates device attributes determined for each port to a service that builds and maintains profiles for connected PDs. As the agent periodically reports monitored power consumption of connected PDs, the service tracks power consumption trends for each PD in association with the PD's profile. If the service detects deviations from the profile of a PD based on additional data received on the corresponding port that are reported by the agent, including substantial deviations from the power consumption trends and/or deviations from device attributes, the service generates alerts for the PD and port combination.