Network documentation system with electronic modules

• US 7,028,087 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2002
• Issued: 04/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Original Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Inventors: Caveney, Jack E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thompson, Marc D.
• Application Number:
  US10/060,608
• Publication Number:
  US 20020120773A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,532 Days
• Field of Search: 709/245, 709/224, 709/252, 370/245, 370/248, 715/734
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215

Abstract

A documentation system for a network having a source device which is connected to multiple network paths which are connected to destination devices, the documentation system comprising, a data port which includes an electronic module with an identification code on each of two or more of the network paths, each of the destination devices including an electronic module with an identification code, the source device having the capability to send query signals along a designated network path addressed to a data port and destination device corresponding to the designated network path, the electronic module corresponding to the data port responding to the query addressed to the data port by transmitting its identification code to the source device, and the electronic module of the destination device responding to the query addressed to the destination device by transmitting its identification code to the source device, and a processor and a scanner in communication with the source device, the processor and scanner for directing the source device to send the query signals and to interpret the responses.

Claims

1. A documentation system for a network having a source device which is connected to multiple network paths which are connected to destination devices, said documentation system comprising:

a data port which includes an electronic module with an identification code on each of two or more of said network paths;

each of said destination devices including an electronic module with an address code;

said source device having the capability to send query signals along a designated network path addressed to a data port and destination device corresponding to said designated network path;

said electronic module corresponding to said data port responding to said query addressed to said data port by transmitting its identification code to said source device; and

said electronic module of said destination device responding to said query addressed to said destination device by transmitting its identification code to said source device,

wherein said electronic modules are stratified into a plurality of zones, and said identification codes corresponding to each of said electronic modules within a particular zone having a common component distinctive only to said particular zone.

2. A documentation system in accordance with claim 1 further including a processor and scanner in communication with said source device and software executable by said processor which denotes said scanner and said source device to send said query signals to said electronic modules and to analyze said response signals returned to said source device from said electronic modules.

3. A documentation system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said source device transmits said query signals along respective ones of said network paths sequentially on a zone-by-zone basis.

4. A documentation system in accordance with claim 1 wherein along at least one of said network paths there are a plurality of data ports having electronic modules, each of said electronic modules having an identification code distinctive from each other and from the identification code of said electronic module corresponding to said destination device on said network path.

5. A documentation system for a network having a source device connected to a plurality of network paths, each of said network paths being connected to a destination device, said documentation system comprising:

a data port corresponding to at least two of said network paths;

an electronic module associated with each of said data ports, each of said electronic modules having an identification code;

an electronic module associated with each of said destination devices, each of said electronic modules having an address code;

a transmitter associated with said source device for transmitting query signals along respective ones of said network paths; and

a receiver associated with said source device for receiving response signals from said respective ones of said network paths,

wherein each of said electronic modules is capable of recognizing a particular query signal as corresponding to its identification code and responding to a transmission of such a query signal by returning a response signal having its identification code back to said source device, and

wherein said electronic modules are stratified into a plurality of zones, each of said identification codes including a zone identifier portion, wherein each of said electronic modules within any particular zone has a common zone identifier portion.

6. A documentation system in accordance with claim 5 further including a processor in communication with said source device and software executable on said processor for analyzing said response signals returned to said source device from said electronic modules.

7. A documentation system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said transmitter transmits said query signals along respective ones of said network paths sequentially on a zone-by-zone basis.

8. A documentation system in accordance with claim 5 wherein along at least one of said network paths there are a plurality of data ports having electronic modules with zone identifier portions distinct from each other and from the electronic module corresponding to said destination device on said network path.