Network revision system with probe

• US 20020090858A1
• Filed: 11/23/2001
• Published: 07/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Original Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Inventors: Caveney, Jack E.
• Application Number:
  US09/991,836
• Publication Number:
  US 20020090858A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/490
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/18 End pieces terminating in a probe
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/62 Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0813 characterised by the conditions triggering a change of settings
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/229 Wire identification arrangements; Number assignment determination
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/136 having patch field management or physical layer management arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/144 Plugs used in distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/802 in data transmission systems

Abstract

A revision system for a network having a plurality of data ports, pairs of the data ports being connectable by a patch cord to place the pairs of data ports into communication with each other, the revision system including a computer processor, a plurality of port plates corresponding to and disposed proximately to at least a plurality of the data ports, a scanner in communication with the computer processor, the scanner capable of polling at least some of the port plates for determining information therefrom, a plurality of local system ports disposed at distinct physical locations within the system, the local system ports in communication with the computer processor, and a probe for connecting to respective ones of the plurality of local system ports and respective ones of the plurality of port plates, whereby when the probe is connected to one of the local system ports and one of the port plates, the probe may display information about corresponding ones of the data ports in the system.

Claims

1. A revision system for a network having a plurality of data ports, pairs of said data ports being connectable to place said pairs of data ports into communication with each other, said revision system comprising:

a computer processor;

a plurality of port plates corresponding to and disposed proximately to at least a plurality of said data ports;

a scanner in communication with said computer processor, said scanner capable of polling at least some of said port plates for determining information therefrom;

a plurality of local system ports disposed at distinct physical locations within said system, said local system ports in communication with said computer processor; and

a probe for connecting to respective ones of said plurality of local system ports and respective ones of said plurality of port plates, whereby when said probe is connected to one of said local system ports and one of said port plates, said probe may thereby display information about a corresponding one of said data ports in said system.

2. A revision system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said plurality of data ports are distributed over and disposed upon a plurality of network racks and each of said racks includes at least one local system port disposed proximately thereto.

3. A revision system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said system further includes a second probe for connecting to respective ones of said plurality of local system ports and respective ones of said port plates,

wherein when said second probe is connected to one of said local system ports and one of said port plates, said second probe may thereby display information about a corresponding one of said data ports in said system, said second probe being able to function on said revision system simultaneously with said other probe.

4. A revision system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said scanner periodically polls all of said data ports in said system.

5. A probe for use in a revision system including a plurality of data ports, pairs of said data ports being connectable to place said pairs of data ports into communication with each other, a computer processor, port plates corresponding to and disposed proximately to at least a plurality of said data ports, a scanner in communication with said computer processor, said scanner capable of polling at least some of said port plates for determining information therefrom, and a plurality of local system ports disposed at distinct physical locations within said system, said local system ports in communication with said computer processor, said probe comprising:

a system port connector for enabling connection with respective ones of said local system ports;

a port plate connector for enabling connection with respective ones of said port plates; and

an indicator for conveying information to the user information regarding the status of the revision system.

6. A probe in accordance with claim 5 wherein said indicator includes a visual indicator.

7. A probe in accordance with claim 6 wherein said visual indicator includes a light-emitting diode.

8. A probe in accordance with claim 6 wherein said visual indicator includes a liquid crystal display.

9. A probe in accordance with claim 6 wherein said visual indicator includes a color display screen.

10. A probe in accordance with claim 5 wherein one of said data ports includes a patch cord plug inserted therein, said patch cord plug including a plug extension for contacting said corresponding port plate when said patch cord plug is inserted in said data port.

11. A probe in accordance with claim 10 wherein said patch cord plug includes a plug plate thereon, said plug plate being connectable to said probe.

12. A probe in accordance with claim 11 wherein said probe includes a specialized connector for contacting said plug plate.

13. A method for obtaining information regarding the status of a revision system, said revision system including a plurality of data ports, pairs of said data ports being connectable to place said pairs of data ports into communication with each other, a computer processor, port plates corresponding to and disposed proximately to at least a plurality of said data ports, a scanner in communication with said computer processor, said scanner capable of polling at least some of said port plates for determining information therefrom, and a plurality of local system ports disposed at distinct physical locations within said system, said local system ports in communication with said computer processor, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a probe having a system port connector, a port plate connector, and an indicator;

connecting said system port connector to one of said plurality of local system ports;

connecting said data port connector to one of said port plates in said system; and

observing said indicator to obtain information regarding the status of said revision system.