Ron Wilson, ace chip design guy, passed along some information he got talking with the folks at NXP about Power-over-Ethernet (PoE): NXP is seeing a lot of interest in building-scale systems, such as security systems or sensor networks, interconnected via Ethernet and Cat-V cable because Cat-V is about the only cable that ordinary workers (physical plant workers, janitors, etc) are legally allowed to pull in a building without being either certified cable techs or licensed electricians. That makes Ethernet over Cat-V the cheapest possible way to interconnect and power your network. And with sensors becoming ubiquitous, both to monitor processes, equipment, and personnel, PoE is going to be a nice feature for office and factory equipment.