Abstract: Systems and methods for actively monitoring and managing the integrity of an optical fiber communications link. The optical fiber link integrity is monitored to guard against intrusions and other security breaches. In one embodiment, a local and a remote active monitoring system are coupled by four fiber paths that provide primary and back-up transmit and receive paths between communication equipment. In one embodiment, a security light signal is transmitted using a secondary wavelength that differs from the wavelength used to transmit a user data light signal and travels in an opposite direction relative to the user data light signal. An active monitoring system monitors both administrative information contained within the security light signal and the intensity of the security light signal to manage the integrity of the fiber optic link. Methods are provided to characterize events impacting the fiber optic link integrity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for actively monitoring and managing the integrity of an optical fiber communications link. The optical fiber link integrity is monitored to guard against intrusions and other security breaches. In one embodiment, a local and a remote active monitoring system are coupled by four fiber paths that provide primary and back-up transmit and receive paths between communication equipment. In one embodiment, a security light signal is transmitted using a secondary wavelength that differs from the wavelength used to transmit a user data light signal and travels in an opposite direction relative to the user data light signal. An active monitoring system monitors both administrative information contained within the security light signal and the intensity of the security light signal to manage the integrity of the fiber optic link. Methods are provided to characterize events impacting the fiber optic link integrity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for actively monitoring and managing the integrity of an optical fiber communications link. The optical fiber link integrity is monitored to guard against intrusions and other security breaches. In one embodiment, a local and a remote active monitoring system are coupled by four fiber paths that provide primary and back-up transmit and receive paths between communication equipment. In one embodiment, a security light signal is transmitted using a secondary wavelength that differs from the wavelength used to transmit a user data light signal and travels in an opposite direction relative to the user data light signal. An active monitoring system monitors both administrative information contained within the security light signal and the intensity of the security light signal to manage the integrity of the fiber optic link. Methods are provided to characterize events impacting the fiber optic link integrity.

Abstract: An expansion module for connecting additional communication ports (64) to a hub (10) of a communications network, an enclosure containing additional communication ports (64) on a motherboard (43), a hub receiving portion on an exterior of the enclosure, the hub receiving portion being adapted for mounting to a hub (10) of a communications network, a hub receiving opening (37) in the enclosure, a mating interconnection board (121) connected to the motherboard (43) and facing the hub receiving opening (37), the mating interconnection board (121) being adapted for electrical connection with a card edge connector (45) on the hub (10).

Abstract: A network apparatus in the form of a base hub (10) containing a motherboard (43) and active circuitry (62) on the motherboard (43) for operation in a communications network and multiple communication ports (64) connected to the active circuitry (62), an expansion module (20) containing additional communication ports (64), and an interconnection mechanism (16) for connecting the additional communication ports (64) and the active circuitry (62).

Abstract: A hub for a communications network, a base hub (10), multiple communications ports (64) on the base hub (10), a motherboard (13) on which is mounted circuitry (62) for operation in a communications network, an expansion port opening (101) in the base hub (10), an interconnection board (42) in the base hub (10) carrying circuitry for operation in a communications network, the interconnection board (42) pointing toward the expansion port opening (101) for electrical connection to an expansion module (20) containing additional communication ports (64), and containing a mating interconnection board (121) for connection to the interconnection board (42) in the base hub (10).

Abstract: An interconnection mechanism for a communications network is described with communication ports (64) and active circuitry (62) on a motherboard (43), a second motherboard (43) without the active circuitry (62) and on which are mounted additional communication ports (64), and the two motherboards (43) being disconnectedly mated to each other through an interconnect board (42) in a base hub (10) and a mating interconnect board (121) in an expansion module (20) that mates with a card edge connector (45) on the interconnect board (42).