Local firewall apparatus and method
View Patent ↗A firewall that may be used in a power integrated network having a plurality of computer systems is powered by the power integrated network. To that end, the firewall includes an input module that receives data addressed to a given computer system in the power integrated network, a security module for determining if the data received at the input module can be forwarded tot he given computer system, and a power module to power both the input module and the security module. The power module receives its power from the power integrated network.
1. A computer cable for connecting a first computer system with a second computer system in a power integrated network, the cable comprising:
a data channel for transmitting data between the first computer system and the second computer system;
a power channel for transmitting power between the first computer system and the second computer system; and
a firewall coupled with the data channel and the power channel, the firewall being energized by power received from the power channel.
2. The computer cable as defined by claim 1 wherein for bi-directional communication, the data channel includes at least one data wire.
3. The computer cable as defined by claim 1 wherein the power channel includes at least one power wire.
4. The computer cable as defined by claim 1 further comprising a power converter that converts power received from the power channel into a power level that is capable of energizing the firewall.
5. The computer cable as defined by claim 1 wherein the computer cable has two ends, the computer cable further comprising:
a first coupler for coupling the first computer system with a first of the two ends of the computer cable; and
a second coupler for coupling the second computer system with a second of the two ends of the computer cable.
6. The computer cable as defined by claim 1 further comprising a containment layer circumscribing the data channel, the firewall, and the power channel.