Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a heterogeneous physical layer management system comprising first devices, each comprising first physical layer information acquisition technology to obtain physical layer information about cabling attached to the first devices. The system further comprises second devices, each comprising second physical layer information acquisition technology to obtain physical layer information about cabling attached to the second devices, wherein the second physical layer information acquisition technology differs from the first physical layer information acquisition technology. The system further comprises a common management application communicatively coupled to the first devices and the second devices, wherein the common management application is configured to aggregate physical layer information from the first devices and the second devices. Another embodiment is directed to providing a physical layer management application as a service hosted by a third party.

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: One embodiment is directed to a heterogeneous physical layer management system comprising first devices, each comprising first physical layer information acquisition technology to obtain physical layer information about cabling attached to the first devices. The system further comprises second devices, each comprising second physical layer information acquisition technology to obtain physical layer information about cabling attached to the second devices, wherein the second physical layer information acquisition technology differs from the first physical layer information acquisition technology. The system further comprises a common management application communicatively coupled to the first devices and the second devices, wherein the common management application is configured to aggregate physical layer information from the first devices and the second devices. Another embodiment is directed to providing a physical layer management application as a service hosted by a third party.

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 heterogeneous physical layer management system comprising first devices, each comprising first physical layer information acquisition technology to obtain physical layer information about cabling attached to the first devices. The system further comprises second devices, each comprising second physical layer information acquisition technology to obtain physical layer information about cabling attached to the second devices, wherein the second physical layer information acquisition technology differs from the first physical layer information acquisition technology. The system further comprises a common management application communicatively coupled to the first devices and the second devices, wherein the common management application is configured to aggregate physical layer information from the first devices and the second devices. Another embodiment is directed to providing a physical layer management application as a service hosted by a third party.

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 heterogeneous physical layer management system comprising first devices, each comprising first physical layer information acquisition technology to obtain physical layer information about cabling attached to the first devices. The system further comprises second devices, each comprising second physical layer information acquisition technology to obtain physical layer information about cabling attached to the second devices, wherein the second physical layer information acquisition technology differs from the first physical layer information acquisition technology. The system further comprises a common management application communicatively coupled to the first devices and the second devices, wherein the common management application is configured to aggregate physical layer information from the first devices and the second devices. Another embodiment is directed to providing a physical layer management application as a service hosted by a third party.