Systems and methods for managing a network

• US 8,089,976 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2009
• Issued: 01/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Original Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Inventors: Caveney, Jack E., Nordin, Ronald A., Doorhy, Michael V., Farrimond, Elizabeth, Kozicki, Kenneth C., Conneely, Richard J., Bolouri-Saransar, Masud, Farrimond, Alan, Jacks, Steven A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sheikh, Ayaz
• Assistant Examiner(s): Moutaouakil, Mounir
• Application Number:
  US12/422,761
• Publication Number:
  US 20090198812A1
• Time in Patent Office: 995 Days
• Field of Search: 370/401, 370/242, 370/363, 370/368, 455/402, 455/523, 713/300, 439/620.21, 375/257
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/62 Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8005 Flat-fee
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1083 for hotels
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/22 Arrangements for supervision, monitoring or testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/03 Power distribution arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/035 Cooling of active equipments, e.g. air ducts
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/136 having patch field management or physical layer management arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/12 Printed circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/00 Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them

Abstract

A system for managing and documenting a local area communications network is provided which deploys power sourcing equipment and powered devices by the use of active electronic modules, having an Ethernet controller and Power over Ethernet forwarding capabilities, as integral, managed components within the cable plant, to enhance management, documentation, security and emergency 911 aspects of the network as well as extending the physical reach of the network.

Claims

1. A security system for end-user devices utilizing active jacks comprising:

a network manager server;

at least one active jack, the at least one active jack comprising network-side connectors and user-side connectors and having an electronic identification module with an identification address stored therein, the at least one active jack configured to communicate with the network manager server, the at least one active jack also configured to control power to end-user devices through an internal DC power switch connected to the user-side connectors in response to instructions received from the network manager server, wherein the active jack controls the internal DC switch via a local processor and further wherein the network manger server communicates with the active jack via the local processor.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the network manager server directs the active jack to supply power to the end-user device during periodic intervals.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the network manager server directs the active jacks to supply power to the end-user devices in response to external stimuli.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the network manager server directs the active jacks to remove power to the end-user devices in response to external stimuli.

5. A method for providing security in a communications network comprising:

providing a plurality of active jacks in physical locations in the network, the active jacks comprising network-side connectors and user-side connectors and having electronic identification modules stored therein;

associating the identification addresses of said active jacks with the physical locations at which the active jacks are provided;

authorizing only certain ones of the physical locations;

authorizing access to the network only by certain ones of the plurality of active jacks associated with the authorized physical locations by instructing the authorized active jacks to provide power to the user-side connectors of the authorized active jacks.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the physical locations are authorized during periodic intervals.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the physical locations are authorized in response to external stimuli.