Abstract: A fiber administration system and improved components for use in a fiber administration system. The fiber administration system includes at least one fiber distribution shelve that supports a plurality of optical connection ports. Each of the optical connection ports contains a sensor for detecting the presence of an optical coupling in that optical connection port. A systems controller is coupled to the sensor of each of the optical connection ports. Accordingly, the systems controller can automatically determine from the sensors whether or not an optical coupling is present in each of the optical connection ports.

Abstract: A fiber administration system and method of operation that enables an owner of the fiber administration system to pay for only the external optical fiber cables used by that fiber administration system. The fiber administration system has at least one fiber distribution shelf on which are located a plurality of optical connection ports. Each of the optical connection ports terminate the end of a different external optical fiber. Each of the optical connection ports contains a sensor for detecting when that optical connection port is engaged by an optical coupling within the fiber administration system. A monitoring module is provided that is coupled to the sensor of each of the optical connection ports. The monitor module determines from each sensor whether or not an optical coupling has engaged each optical connection port and records when each of the optical connection ports is first engaged. The data record recorded by the monitor module can be accessed from a remote location for billing purposes.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided to determine the optimum non-congested path to connect two termination points on a distributing frame with a specific type of jumper cable. The length of the jumper cable to be routed through the path is calculated and subsequently a measurement of the same cable and associated slack is displayed on a screen along with the non-congested path with a representation of the cable and slack therein.