In one embodiment, a system manager for a network management system comprises: a PSE power management function implemented by a processor; and a cabling information database; wherein the PSE power management function is configured to couple to a power sourcing network switch via a network; wherein the PSE power management function, in response to a request to allocate power from the switch to a network powered device: determines a length of cabling for instances of network cabling that couples the network switch to the network powered device based on network cable length information stored in the cabling information database; determines a power loss based on the length of cabling; and transmits a power allocation command to the network switch to allocate a power level to a network port coupled to the network powered device based on the power loss and a power class of the network powered device.