DATA CENTER NETWORK DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use in connecting rack-mounted data devices to a data network, comprising:
- a distribution strip having a longitudinal axis, said distribution strip being disposed on a rack such that a length of said distribution strip, defined relative to said longitudinal axis, extends primarily or exclusively along a vertical height axis of said rack; and
a plurality of network ports, disposed on said distribution strip, for use in connecting said rack-mounted data devices to said network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus (“utility”) for facilitating connection of rack-mounted data devices (50) to a data network is provided. The utility includes a distribution strip (42) and a number of network ports (44), disposed on the distribution strip (42), for use in connecting the rack-mounted data devices (50) to the network. The distribution strip (42) has a longitudinal axis, and is disposed on a rack (40) such that a length of the distribution strip (42), defined relative to the longitudinal axis, extends primarily or exclusively along a vertical axis of the rack (40). The distribution strip may further include a data network switch device. A utility is also provided that provides improved redundancy with regard to connections of rack-mounted data devices by including a distribution strip (42) that includes first and second ports (46) for connecting the distribution strip (42) to a network device (56).
164 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in connecting rack-mounted data devices to a data network, comprising:
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a distribution strip having a longitudinal axis, said distribution strip being disposed on a rack such that a length of said distribution strip, defined relative to said longitudinal axis, extends primarily or exclusively along a vertical height axis of said rack; and a plurality of network ports, disposed on said distribution strip, for use in connecting said rack-mounted data devices to said network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for use in connecting rack-mounted data devices to a network, the method comprising:
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providing a distribution strip with a plurality of network ports distributed along a vertical axis of a rack; and connecting each of multiple data devices in said rack to a substantially vertically adjacent one of said network ports.
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20. A system for connecting rack-mounted data devices to a data network, comprising:
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a first distribution strip associated with a first subset of a set of data devices, wherein said set of data devices are mounted in multiple racks; a second distribution strip associated with a second subset of said set of data devices; and for each of said first and second distribution strips, first and second separate data connections to said data network. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A system for connecting rack-mounted data devices to a data network, comprising:
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a first distribution strip associated with a first subset of a set of data devices, wherein said set of data devices are mounted in multiple racks; and first and second separate data connections for connecting said first distribution strip to said network.
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25. A method for use in connecting rack-mounted data devices to a network, comprising:
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connecting multiple data devices to a distribution strip; and connecting said distribution strip to a network device via a first connection pathway and by a second connection pathway separate from said first connection pathway.
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Specification