Method and Apparatus for Patch Panel Patch Cord Documentation and Revision

• US 20080045075A1
• Filed: 10/26/2007
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Original Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Inventors: Nordin, Ronald, Caveney, Jack
• Granted Patent: US 7,517,243 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/488
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/06 Generation of reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0811 by checking connectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/136 having patch field management or physical layer management arrangements

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for monitoring and reporting cable connectivity such as patch panel port-level connectivity on a real-time basis. For patch panel systems, the approach is based upon a distributed architecture that may be modularly scalable and may reduce, if not eliminate, the need for a centralized signal processor and complex cabling between patch panels and the centralized signal processor. Each patch panel may determine port level connectivity independently. Polling delays and polling-related overhead processing may be reduced or eliminated by supporting real-time monitoring of port connectivity at the port level. The approach provides improved real-time reporting of patch panel connectivity with reduced cabling complexity, increased reliability, and decreased maintenance costs. In addition, the approach is compatible with (i.e., may communicate with and be controlled by) a multipurpose network management system (NMS). In addition, a compatible revision system is provided.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring and reporting patch panel port-level connectivity information to a network management system comprising:

providing a first patch panel having a plurality of first patch panel ports and a first port controller and a second patch panel having a plurality of second patch panel ports and a second port controller, at least one of said first patch panel ports being connected to at least one of said second patch panel ports via an in-band communication channel and an out-of-band communication channel;

transmitting, from said first port controller, an outbound message along said out-of-band communication channel of one of said first patch panel ports, said outbound message containing patch panel and port information associated with said port; and

checking at said first port controller to determine whether an out-of-band message from said second port controller is available for receipt.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising checking a currently stored port status if no out-of-band message from said second port controller is available for receipt.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising re-transmitting, from said first port controller, said outbound message along said out-of-band communication channel, if said currently stored port status indicates that said one of said first patch panel ports is not connected to another port.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising updating a port-level data store to show that said one of said first patch panel ports is disconnected, if said currently stored port status indicates that said one of said first patch panel ports is connected to another port.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving said out-of-band message from said second port controller if said out-of-band message is available for receipt.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising updating a port-level data store to show the connection status of said one of said first patch panel ports if information from said out-of-band message differs from connection information in said port-level data store.