Abstract: A network cable jack includes a printed circuit board (PCB) for balancing both inductive and capacitive coupling. Using a PCB allows compact trace paths to be formed without significantly increasing manufacturing costs. By including on each trace path two distinct inductance zones separated by a neutral zone, significant gains in degrees of freedom are achieved for designing PCB trace patterns in which a pair of inductive coupling zones jointly offset the inductive coupling caused by a specification plug and the jack contacts, both in magnitude and phase angle. Further, using distinct inductance zones offers more freedom regarding the placement of capacitive plates for use in capacitance balancing as well as the placement of terminals and insulation displacement contacts. Although the magnitude of a capacitive coupling is determined by the length of the capacitor plates parallel to current carrying traces, the approach allows capacitive and inductive coupling to be balanced independently.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for monitoring and reporting cable connectivity such as patch panel port-level connectivity on a real-time basis. For patch panel systems, the approach is based upon a distributed architecture that may be modularly scalable and may reduce, if not eliminate, the need for a centralized signal processor and complex cabling between patch panels and the centralized signal processor. Each patch panel may determine port level connectivity independently. Polling delays and polling-related overhead processing may be reduced or eliminated by supporting real-time monitoring of port connectivity at the port level. The approach provides improved real-time reporting of patch panel connectivity with reduced cabling complexity, increased reliability, and decreased maintenance costs. In addition, the approach is compatible with (i.e., may communicate with and be controlled by) a multipurpose network management system (NMS). In addition, a compatible revision system is provided.

Abstract: A fiber optic stub fiber connector for reversibly and nondestructively terminating an inserted field fiber having a buffer over at least a portion thereof. The connector includes a housing and a ferrule including a stub fiber disposed within and extending from a bore through the ferrule. The ferrule is generally at least partially disposed within and supported by the housing. The connector further includes a reversible actuator for reversibly and nondestructively terminating the inserted field fiber to the stub fiber. The reversible actuator includes a buffer clamp for engaging with the buffer to simultaneously provide reversible and nondestructive strain relief to the terminated field fiber.

Abstract: A communication jack is provided with plug interface contacts that have a short conductive signal pathway between a plug-jack interface and crosstalk compensation provided on a printed circuit board within the jack. Contacts of the jack are specially designed not to take a permanent set if a six-position plug or an eight-position plug is inserted into an eight-position jack. A printed circuit board in the jack is placed at an angle, shortening the conductive pathway between plug contacts and the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An intelligent network patch field management system and specialized cross-connect cable are provided to help guide, monitor, and report on the process of connecting and disconnecting patch cords plugs in a cross-connect patching environment. The system is also capable of monitoring patch cord connections to detect insertions or removals of patch cords or plugs. The cross-connect cable is provided with LED's in both of the cable plugs. When only one plug of the cross-connect cable is plugged into a port, the LED associated with that plug is switched out of the circuit, while the LED in the unplugged plug remains in the circuit and can still be illuminated by the system.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a stackable mount assembly that includes indexing and/or locking features. The stackable mount assembly includes a plurality of mounts. Each mount includes a hub and a fastener. Indexing features prevent the hub from freely rotating about the fastener, but allow the hub to index or rotate about the fastener at an index angle. The locking features prevent the hub from rotating about the fastener, locking the hub in a desired position and/or orientation.

Abstract: A cable slack manager for managing cable slack comprises two or more spaced apart cable management members rotatable between a first stored position and a second deployed position. At least one arm releasably securable to a cable management assembly (e.g., a rack or data cabinet) may carry the two or more spaced apart cable management members, which may exhibit a round or C-shaped configuration. The cable slack manager may optionally comprise a base mountable to the cable management assembly, with the at least arm securable to the base.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a hook and loop tie for securing a bundle of cables. The hook and loop tie comprises a base component, a loop component, a hook component, and a non-slip component. The base component has a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. The loop component is affixed to the first side of the base component and has a plurality of loop fastening elements. The hook component is affixed to the second side of the base component, is disposed at the first end of the base component, extends therefrom toward the second end of the base component, and has a plurality of hook fastening elements. The non-slip component is affixed to the second side of the base component, is disposed at the second end of the base component, and extends therefrom toward the first end of the base component. Proximate ends of the hook component and the non-slip component are spaced apart to define a gap therebetween.

Abstract: An active jack, which is a powered device, is installed as the network connection at a workstation which provides the capability to determine the physical location of a destination device, such as a VoIP phone, in real time. Uninterruptible power supplies may be used to provide power to network components, for example during an emergency. Power-and-data deployments are shown for powering network components and destination devices.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for documenting network path connectivity are described that allow a network management system/revision management system (NMS/RMS) to determine what equipment and ports support a network path by interrupting and restoring Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) service on the network path. Upon detecting a loss of PoE service, communication active jacks that support network path connectivity may activate an internal switch that interrupts downstream connectivity. Each communication active jack along the network path may then begin broadcasting a unique message in the upstream direction that is addressed to the NMS/RMS. Upon receiving a unique active jack message, the NMS/RMS may record the information contained within and instruct the communication active jack to reestablish connectivity to the next downstream device.

Abstract: The embodiments provide a barb assembly for use with a cable duct component to oppose removal of a cable duct section from the cable duct component. The barb assembly can comprise a releasable assembly for applying a force to a barb and, responsive to the application of the force, for moving the barb and one or more barb arms from an unengaged position to an engaged position without the use of tools. The barb assembly and/or cable duct component can also comprise a spring bias, which can bias the releasable assembly to the unengaged position upon actuating the releasable assembly to the unengaged position. The embodiments also provide methods of installing cable duct components and systems with the above-described features.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a spillover fitting that routes cables from a lateral trough. The spillover fitting includes fitting walls and a floor positioned between the fitting walls. The floor has an extension flange that extends into the lateral trough. The spillover fitting also includes a containment member that extends from the extension flange. The containment member is positioned over the lateral trough to contain cables routed out of the lateral trough into the spillover fitting.

Abstract: A method for reducing crosstalk between a plurality of wires in a network cable using a network cable jack that includes a printed circuit board (PCB) for balancing both inductive and capacitive coupling. The method includes using two distinct inductance zones separated by a neutral zone. Significant gains in degrees of freedom are achieved for designing PCB trace patterns in which a pair of inductive coupling zones jointly offset the inductive coupling caused by a specification plug and the jack contacts, both in magnitude and phase angle. Further, using distinct inductance zones offers more freedom regarding the placement of capacitive plates for use in capacitance balancing as well as the placement of terminals and insulation displacement contacts. Although the magnitude of a capacitive coupling is determined by the length of the capacitor plates parallel to current carrying traces, the approach allows capacitive and inductive coupling to be balanced independently.

Abstract: A fiber optic stub fiber connector for reversibly and nondestructively terminating an inserted field fiber having a buffer over at least a portion thereof. The connector includes a housing and a ferrule including a stub fiber disposed within and extending from a bore through the ferrule. The ferrule is generally at least partially disposed within and supported by the housing. The connector further includes a reversible actuator for reversibly and nondestructively terminating the inserted field fiber to the stub fiber. The reversible actuator includes a buffer clamp for engaging with the buffer to simultaneously provide reversible and nondestructive strain relief to the terminated field fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for monitoring and reporting cable connectivity such as patch panel port-level connectivity on a real-time basis. For patch panel systems, the approach is based upon a distributed architecture that may be modularly scalable and may reduce, if not eliminate, the need for a centralized signal processor and complex cabling between patch panels and the centralized signal processor. Each patch panel may determine port level connectivity independently. Polling delays and polling-related overhead processing may be reduced or eliminated by supporting real-time monitoring of port connectivity at the port level. The approach provides improved real-time reporting of patch panel connectivity with reduced cabling complexity, increased reliability, and decreased maintenance costs. In addition, the approach is compatible with (i.e., may communicate with and be controlled by) a multipurpose network management system (NMS). In addition, a compatible revision system is provided.

Abstract: An intelligent network patch field management system is provided that includes active electronic hardware, firmware, mechanical assemblies, cables, and software that guide, monitor, and report on the process of connecting and disconnecting patch cords plugs in an interconnect or cross-connect patching environment. The system is also capable of monitoring patch cord connections to detect insertions or removals of patch cords or plugs. In addition, the system can map embodiments of patch fields.

Abstract: An adhesive pattern for a label system is disclosed. The adhesive pattern includes a label sheet having a plurality of non-adhesive sections, and a plurality of adhesive sections connected to the non-adhesive sections. The non-adhesive sections and the adhesive sections are in alternate arrangement to form the label sheet. The label sheet also includes a plurality of labels having a first end and a second end, and the first end is attached to a non-adhesive section. Upon removal of the label from a non-adhesive section, the label has a non-sticking surface.

Abstract: An active jack, which is a powered device, is installed as the network connection at a workstation which provides the capability to determine the physical location of a destination device, such as a VOIP phone, in real time. Uninterruptible power supplies may be used to provide power to network components, for example during an emergency. Power-and-data deployments are shown for powering network components and destination devices.

Abstract: A ringpost is disclosed. The ringpost includes an outer member and an inner member secured within the outer member. The outer member has a rib along an interior surface, and the inner member has a groove along an exterior surface that receives the rib. The outer member rotates about the inner member after the inner member is secured within the outer member. A ringpost assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A wire containment cap has twisted pair slots for routing twisted wire pairs through the wire containment cap. The twisted pair slots are provided with funnel-shaped entrances to assist in routing the twisted wire pairs from a rear end of the wire containment cap toward wire slots of the wire containment cap. The wire containment cap may be provided in shielded or unshielded versions, and is adapted for use with a communication jack assembly.