FUNCTION FOR CONTROLLING LINE POWERED NETWORK ELEMENT

A method of controlling power in a network element includes powering the network element by receiving power from a power communication medium and providing a telecommunication service over a service communication medium. The method further includes monitoring a primitive related to the powering of the network element and controlling the powering of the network element based on the primitive. More particularly, in an embodiment, the method comprises: powering the network element (404) by receiving power from a first power communication medium (406) at a first power interface (450); providing telecommunication service to the network element (404) via a first service interface (452) coupled to the first power communication medium (406); receiving at a second power interface (480) of the network element (404) power from the first power interface (450); applying power to a second power communication medium (416) from the second power interface (480), over which power from the network element (404) is supplied to a second network element (414); providing telecommunication service to the second network element (414) via a second service interface (453) coupled to the second power communication medium (416);exchanging management information with a source network element (402) coupled to the first power communication medium (406); and control powering of the network element (404) at least based on a primitive related to the power of the network element (404). Also in an embodiment, the network element comprises: a first service interface (452) configured to couple to a first power communication medium (406) that couples the network element (404) to a source network element (402) and over which telecommunication service is provided; a first power interface