Abstract: Presented herein are embodiments of a compact handheld integrated cabling assist (CHICA) device that has a form factor of a transceiver. In one or more embodiments, a CHICA embodiment may pair with a cabling assist application (CA-App) to guide a user with cabling decisions. A user may insert a transceiver (optic/DAC) in a mini-cage of the CHICA, wherein the CHICA reads the transceiver data, transmits the data to the CA-App to confirm that the transceiver meets the configuration requirements of the switch port. In one or more embodiments, a user may also interact with the CA-App to write data (e.g., EEPROM fields) to the transceiver by issuing commands via the CHICA device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for validating transceivers comprise using a first controller to perform a validation prior to granting a second controller access to the transceiver to communicate in a data plane and, otherwise, restricting the second controller from accessing the transceiver and operating in the data plane to isolate the transceiver from the data plane and protect the second controller from an unqualified or rogue transceiver triggering a recovery procedure, reboot procedure, or similar that otherwise would require manual intervention by technical support personnel and increase equipment downtime and cost.

Abstract: A fabric connection assist system includes a networking device coupled to a fabric management system and a mobile device via a network. The networking device receives fabric connection information for its port from the fabric management system. When the mobile device subsequently identifies that port to the networking device, the networking device identifies fabric connection components to the mobile device that are indicated by the fabric connection information as being supported by its port. When the mobile device subsequently identifies a first of the fabric connection components to the networking device, and the networking device then detects that the first fabric connection component has been connected to its port, the networking device transmits a first fabric connection component confirmation communication to the mobile device that is configured to display a confirmation on the mobile device of the connection of the first fabric connection component to its port.

Abstract: A fabric connection assist system includes a networking device coupled to a fabric management system and a mobile device via a network. The networking device receives fabric connection information for its port from the fabric management system. When the mobile device subsequently identifies that port to the networking device, the networking device identifies fabric connection components to the mobile device that are indicated by the fabric connection information as being supported by its port. When the mobile device subsequently identifies a first of the fabric connection components to the networking device, and the networking device then detects that the first fabric connection component has been connected to its port, the networking device transmits a first fabric connection component confirmation communication to the mobile device that is configured to display a confirmation on the mobile device of the connection of the first fabric connection component to its port.

Abstract: A port configuration identification system includes a base. A port configuration identification information surface is included on the base and includes port configuration identification information corresponding to a port configuration available for a port on a computing device. A computing device coupling feature is included on the base and is configured to couple to the computing device to secure the base relative to the computing device and adjacent the port such that the port configuration identification information surface is positioned adjacent the port.

Abstract: A system includes a first device having a first physical layer transceiver (PHY) and a first port that is coupled to the first PHY and that operates in a mode. The system also includes a second device having a second PHY and a second port that is coupled to the second PHY and that operates in a mode. The second device provides, through the second port via a cable coupled to the first port to the first device and prior to advertising the at least one mode that the second port is configured to operate in, a second PHY ability of the second PHY. The second device receives a first PHY ability of the first PHY and determines that a mismatch exists between the first and second PHY abilities. In response to the mismatch, the second device adjusts the operation of the second PHY to correct the mismatch.

Abstract: A system includes a first device having a first physical layer transceiver (PHY) and a first port that is coupled to the first PHY and that operates in a mode. The system also includes a second device having a second PHY and a second port that is coupled to the second PHY and that operates in a mode. The second device provides, through the second port via a cable coupled to the first port to the first device and prior to advertising the at least one mode that the second port is configured to operate in, a second PHY ability of the second PHY. The second device receives a first PHY ability of the first PHY and determines that a mismatch exists between the first and second PHY abilities. In response to the mismatch, the second device adjusts the operation of the second PHY to correct the mismatch.

Abstract: Aspects of the current patent document include systems and methods to improve configuration of network communication links between devices. In embodiments, a device may attempt auto-negotiation with another device in which transmit power levels are increased in an attempted to establish the link. In embodiments, an approach to establishing a link comprises setting the device in static mode but enabling link training. In yet another embodiment, a hybrid approach to interfaces link up may comprise having auto-negotiation with increasing transmit power attempts enabled by default, followed by static mode link up with link training enabled, in the case the auto-negotiation fails.

Abstract: Aspects of the current patent document include systems and methods to improve configuration of network communication links between devices. In embodiments, a device may attempt auto-negotiation with another device in which transmit power levels are increased in an attempted to establish the link. In embodiments, an approach to establishing a link comprises setting the device in static mode but enabling link training. In yet another embodiment, a hybrid approach to interfaces link up may comprise having auto-negotiation with increasing transmit power attempts enabled by default, followed by static mode link up with link training enabled, in the case the auto-negotiation fails.