If the controller 176 determines that the first powered communications port 158(1) is not powered (block 226), the controller 176 determines if a PD 156(2) is connected to a second powered communications port 158(2) that is unpowered (block 232). If so, the controller 176 determines if the available power budget is sufficient to provide power to the PD 156(2) connected to the second powered communications port 158(2) (block 234). If so, the controller 176 directs the PSE 170 to provide power to the second powered communications port 158(2) (block 236). If not, the controller 176 does not change the power configuration of the second powered communications port 158(2). Thus, the controller 176 manages power to by enabling a first powered communications port 158(1) if available power budget is present, and then enabling a second powered communications port 158(2) if available power budget is available after providing power to the first powered communications port 158(1). When the available power budget changes for the RAU 14, the enabling or disabling of the powered communications ports 158(1), 158(2) is re-evaluated based on the available power budget.