Abstract: One embodiment is directed to detecting that a cable has been connected to a port of patching equipment and detecting that the cable is no longer connected to said port. In response to detecting that the cable is no longer connected, information associated with fixed cabling coupled to said port that is captured by a cable tester is downloaded to a controller. The downloaded information is associated with said port and the downloaded information and association information is locally stored at the controller. The locally stored information can then be used to create and/or populate objects in a database. Another embodiment is directed to including a storage device and a wireless interface in patching equipment or other equipment such as an outlet or consolidation point for use in writing information to the storage device and reading information from the storage device via the wireless interface. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a “software only” hosted or cloud-based physical layer management (PLM) system. Another embodiment is directed to a hosted or cloud-based PLM system or Automated Infrastructure Management (AIM) system that uses a hardware appliance that is locally deployed in an enterprises network. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to detecting that a cable has been connected to a port of patching equipment and detecting that the cable is no longer connected to said port. In response to detecting that the cable is no longer connected, information associated with fixed cabling coupled to said port that is captured by a cable tester is downloaded to a controller. The downloaded information is associated with said port and the downloaded information and association information is locally stored at the controller. The locally stored information can then be used to create and/or populate objects in a database. Another embodiment is directed to including a storage device and a wireless interface in patching equipment or other equipment such as an outlet or consolidation point for use in writing information to the storage device and reading information from the storage device via the wireless interface. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to detecting that a cable has been connected to a port of patching equipment and detecting that the cable is no longer connected to said port. In response to detecting that the cable is no longer connected, information associated with fixed cabling coupled to said port that is captured by a cable tester is downloaded to a controller. The downloaded information is associated with said port and the downloaded information and association information is locally stored at the controller. The locally stored information can then be used to create and/or populate objects in a database. Another embodiment is directed to including a storage device and a wireless interface in patching equipment or other equipment such as an outlet or consolidation point for use in writing information to the storage device and reading information from the storage device via the wireless interface. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A work order is generated. The work order comprises a first work order step specifying that a port of a first network element is to be connected to a port of a second network element using a cable. The first and second network elements are configured to detect when connections are made at the specified ports of the first network element and the second network element. A management system is configured to update information it maintains to indicate that there is a connection between the specified port of the first network element and the specified port of the second network element if connections made at the specified ports of the first and second network elements are detected during a period in which the first work order step of the first work order is expected to be performed. A similar technique can be used for disconnecting a cable.

Abstract: Systems and methods for physical layer access control are provided. In one embodiment, a method using an automated infrastructure management system comprising a portable device, a management system and a secured equipment cabinet comprises: scanning an asset ID tag with the portable device to obtain asset ID data; transmitting the asset ID data to the management system; verifying whether the asset ID data is associated with an electronic lock identified by an electronic work order, where the work order defines tasks involving a network device within the cabinet; scanning a fingerprint with the portable device to obtain fingerprint ID data; and verifying whether the fingerprint ID data matches an authorized technician. When the asset ID data is verified as associated with the electronic lock and the fingerprint ID data is verified as matching the authorized technician, sending an electronic command from the management system that unlocks the electronic lock.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to detecting that a cable has been connected to a port of patching equipment and detecting that the cable is no longer connected to said port. In response to detecting that the cable is no longer connected, information associated with fixed cabling coupled to said port that is captured by a cable tester is downloaded to a controller. The downloaded information is associated with said port and the downloaded information and association information is locally stored at the controller. The locally stored information can then be used to create and/or populate objects in a database. Another embodiment is directed to including a storage device and a wireless interface in patching equipment or other equipment such as an outlet or consolidation point for use in writing information to the storage device and reading information from the storage device via the wireless interface. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A work order is generated. The work order comprises a first work order step specifying that a port of a first network element is to be connected to a port of a second network element using a cable. The first and second network elements are configured to detect when connections are made at the specified ports of the first network element and the second network element. A management system is configured to update information it maintains to indicate that there is a connection between the specified port of the first network element and the specified port of the second network element if connections made at the specified ports of the first and second network elements are detected during a period in which the first work order step of the first work order is expected to be performed. A similar technique can be used for disconnecting a cable.

Abstract: A work order is generated. The work order comprises a first work order step specifying that a port of a first network element is to be connected to a port of a second network element using a cable. The first and second network elements are configured to detect when connections are made at the specified ports of the first network element and the second network element. A management system is configured to update information it maintains to indicate that there is a connection between the specified port of the first network element and the specified port of the second network element if connections made at the specified ports of the first and second network elements are detected during a period in which the first work order step of the first work order is expected to be performed. A similar technique can be used for disconnecting a cable.

Abstract: Systems and methods for physical layer access control are provided. In one embodiment, a method using an automated infrastructure management system comprising a portable device, a management system and a secured equipment cabinet comprises: scanning an asset ID tag with the portable device to obtain asset ID data; transmitting the asset ID data to the management system; verifying whether the asset ID data is associated with an electronic lock identified by an electronic work order, where the work order defines tasks involving a network device within the cabinet; scanning a fingerprint with the portable device to obtain fingerprint ID data; and verifying whether the fingerprint ID data matches an authorized technician. When the asset ID data is verified as associated with the electronic lock and the fingerprint ID data is verified as matching the authorized technician, sending an electronic command from the management system that unlocks the electronic lock.

Abstract: A work order is generated. The work order comprises a first work order step specifying that a port of a first network element is to be connected to a port of a second network element using a cable. The first and second network elements are configured to detect when connections are made at the specified ports of the first network element and the second network element. A management system is configured to update information it maintains to indicate that there is a connection between the specified port of the first network element and the specified port of the second network element if connections made at the specified ports of the first and second network elements are detected during a period in which the first work order step of the first work order is expected to be performed. A similar technique can be used for disconnecting a cable.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a “software only” hosted or cloud-based physical layer management (PLM) system. Another embodiment is directed to a hosted or cloud-based PLM system or Automated Infrastructure Management (AIM) system that uses a hardware appliance that is locally deployed in an enterprises network. Other embodiments are disclosed.