Abstract:
A communications panel assembly for use with a mounting surface to manage communications cables and/or connections includes a back panel and a level orientation indicator device. The back panel is configured to be mounted on the mount surface. The level orientation indicator device is integrally mounted on the back panel to indicate an orientation of the back panel. According to some embodiments, the level orientation indicator includes a bubble level device.
Abstract:
A communications cable management system includes a support structure and a door assembly. The support structure defines a cable trough and includes at least two first mount structures and at least two second mount structures spaced apart from the at least two first mount structures. The door assembly includes a door body, first and second latch mechanisms, and first and second actuators. The door body has first and second opposed side edges. The first latch mechanism includes at least two first latch structures each selectively positionable between a latched position, wherein the first latch structure engages a respective one of the first mount structures to secure the door body to the support structure for pivotal movement therebetween about a first pivot axis proximate the first side edge of the door body, and an unlatched position, wherein the first latch structure is disengaged from the first mount structure to permit the first side edge of the door to be separated from the support structure. The second latch mechanism includes at least two second latch structures each selectively positionable between a latched position, wherein the second latch structure engages a respective one of the second mount structures to secure the door body to the support structure for pivotal movement therebetween about a second pivot axis proximate the second side edge of the door body, and an unlatched position, wherein the second latch structure is disengaged from the second mount structure to permit the second side edge of the door to be separated from the support structure. The first actuator is operable by a user to selectively move each of the first latch structures as a group from their latched positions to their unlatched positions. The second actuator is operable by a user to selectively move each of the second latch structures as a group from their latched positions to their unlatched positions. When the first and second latch structures are in their latched positions, the door body is secured in a closed position on the support structure. When the first and second latch structures are in their unlatched positions, the door body can be removed from the support structure. When the first latch structures are in their latched positions and the second latch structures are in their unlatched positions, the door body can be pivoted open about the first pivot axis. When the second latch structures are in their latched positions and the first latch structures are in their unlatched positions, the door body can be pivoted open about the second pivot axis.
Abstract:
A telecommunications patching system includes a patch panel comprising a plurality of connector ports and a plurality of patch cords configured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports. Each patch cord has opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end that is configured to be removably secured within a connector port. The connectors of a respective patch cord contain the same unique identifier. A first sensor is located at each connector port and detects when a patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, a respective connector port. A second sensor is located at each connector port and reads the identifier of a patch cord connector inserted within a respective connector port. The first and second sensors are in communication with a controller that monitors and logs patch cord interconnections with the connector ports.
Abstract:
A communication cable management system includes a support structure and a door assembly ( 10). The door assembly includes a door body (12), first (40a) and second (40b) latch mechanisms. The first latch mechanism includes at least two first latch structures 4(5,47). The second latch mechanism includes at least two second latch structure (45,47).
Abstract:
A communications panel assembly for use with a mounting surface to manage communications cables and/or connections includes a back panel and a level orientation indicator device. The back panel is configured to be mounted on the mount surface. The level orientation indicator device is integrally mounted on the back panel to indicate an orientation of the back panel. According to some embodiments, the level orientation indicator includes a bubble level device.
Abstract:
A communications system includes a plurality of patch panels having a plurality of connector ports connected to individual communication channels, a switch that provides access to multiple networks via one or more switch ports, a system manager that controls interconnections between the patch panels and the switch, and a plurality of patch cords configured to selectively interconnect patch panel connector ports. The system manager is configured to receive a request to connect an individual communication channel to a specific network, to identify which patch panel connector ports are required to be patched together via one or more patch cords in order to establish a circuit to the requested network, and to enable a switch port to activate the circuit. The system manager is configured to monitor connectivity of a circuit and to park a switch port associated with the circuit in response to detecting a change in circuit connectivity.
Abstract:
A managed- port circuit includes a detection circuit that is disposed in a communication channel between a first local port (105) and a second local port (110) and a controller (115) that is coupled to the detection circuit and is operable to configure the. detection circuit in a detection configuration in which the first and second local ports are connected to the controller and a second pass through configuration in which the first and second local ports are connected to each other via the communication channel, the controller being further operable to determine when an end device is connected, to one of the first and second local ports when the detection circuit is in the detection configuration. The managed port circuit is particularly useful in a communication network 100 including a layer-one, structured cabling apparatus or device, such as a patch panel, in which a plurality of channels are defined between patch cord terminations, such as RJ45 connector ports on one side of the panel'1 and cable terminations, such as Insulation Displacement Contacts (IDC) on the other side of the panel.
Abstract:
A communications system includes a plurality of patch panels, wherein each patch panel has a plurality of connector ports on a front surface thereof that are each connected to a respective communication line, and one or more optical couplers/connector ports on a rear surface thereof for linking two or more patch panels together. A cable for linking patch panels includes opposite ends and a respective connector at each end that is configured to be removably secured within a respective coupler/connector port on the rear surface. Each connector has an RFID tag attached thereto. An RF antenna is secured to each patch panel adjacent each respective coupler, and each antenna is configured to activate and read information from a cable RFID tag when a cable connector is secured within a coupler adjacent thereto.
Abstract:
A network switch that can directly receive and connect to telecommunications cables includes: a body; a first panel mounted to the body; a first plurality of ports located in the first panel, each of the first plurality of ports configured to receive a telecommunications cable; a second panel mounted to the body; a second plurality of ports located in the second panel, each of the second plurality of ports configured to receive a patch cord; and electronic circuitry housed in the body for conducting network switching operations, the electronic circuitry being connected with the first plurality of ports and the second plurality of ports. Such a network switch can receive a cable directly, rather than requiring an intermediate patch panel, and therefore can simplify either an interconnect or a cross-connect telecommunications system.
Abstract:
A telecommunications patching system includes: a generally horizontal main panel; a row of front connectors associated with the main panel, each of the front connectors being spaced apart from immediately adjacent front connectors by a gap; and a row of rear connectors associated with the main panel, each of the rear connectors being spaced apart from immediately adjacent rear connectors by a gap. The front connectors are laterally offset from the rear connectors such that each of the gaps between the rear connectors aligns with a respective front connector, and each of the gaps between the front connectors aligns with a respective rear connector. In this configuration, cords or cables connected with the front row of connectors can reside in the gaps between the rear connectors, and cords or cable with the rear connectors can reside in the gaps between the front connectors. This arrangement can provide high port density to the patching system.