Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for interconnecting network equipment with a telecommunications system includes identifying a patch panel connector port to be connected to a network equipment port, generating a work order for connecting the identified patch panel connector port to the network equipment port via a patch cord, monitoring the identified patch panel connector port to detect whether a patch cord connector has been inserted therein within a predetermined period of time, and monitoring the network equipment port for communications activity within a predetermined period of time. If a patch cord connector has not been inserted within the identified patch panel connector port within the predetermined period of time and/or if communications activity has not been detected at the network equipment port within the predetermined period of time, a technician is notified. Network equipment ports and patch panel ports are monitored for authorized and unauthorized connections.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products that notify technicians of work to be performed on a telecommunications system are provided. Interconnections with patch panel connector ports are monitored and a work order is generated in response to detecting the relocation of a patch cord connector at a patch panel. A technician automatically is notified that a work order has been generated. The technician is requested to acknowledge receipt of a work order notification. If an acknowledgement is not received within a predetermined period of time, an alternate technician is notified of the work order. A list of work orders are displayed on a display in communication with the telecommunications system. Displayed work orders can be filtered such that the a technician only views work orders he/she is authorized to view. A technician can select a displayed work order and retrieve additional information from a server managing the work orders.

Abstract: A telecommunications patching system includes a patch panel having a plurality of connector ports, and having an RFID reader and RF antennas associated with the connector ports. A plurality of patch cords are configured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports. Each patch cord has opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end that is configured to be removably secured within a connector port. Each connector of a respective patch cord includes an RFID tag. The RFID tags for a respective patch cord have the same unique identifier stored therewithin. The RF antenna associated with a connector port emits RF signals that cause a patch cord connector RFID tag to transmit its identifier. Each RF antenna detects the transmitted identifier of a patch cord connector RFID tag when the respective patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, a respective one of the connector ports.