Abstract: An aggregator for interconnecting a hydra with an breakout box, said aggregator comprising: (a) a bottom wall, two sides walls, and at least one faceplate; (b) adapters for multi-conductor connectors arranged in at least one column on said faceplate; and (c) wherein at least two adapters of each column are secure adapters.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the system comprises: (a) a chassis; (b) one or more cards mounted in the chassis, each card having a plurality of switch ports, the plurality of switch ports being aligned in one or more columns; (c) an aggregator mounted adjacent the chassis, the aggregator having a plurality of bays, each bay being aligned with a card in the chassis, at least one of the bays having a faceplate comprising at least first and second aggregator ports aligned in a column; (d) at least first and second hydras, wherein each hydra comprises at least (i) a first connector; (ii) a plurality of second connectors; (iii) a plurality of conductors, each conductor connecting the first connector to one of the second connectors, the plurality of conductors being bundled together to form a trunk portion from the first connector to a breakout point, the plurality of conductors being separated into breakout portions from the breakout point to the second connectors; (iv) wherein the trunk portion of the first cable is longer

Abstract: A connector system comprising: a multi-plug connector, each plug having a housing and a ferrule, said housing having a front and back orientation and having a front face defining an opening, said ferrule being disposed within said opening, said housing defining a first keying element on said front face around said opening, at least two housings of said multi-plug connector having different said first keying elements.

Abstract: An out of band communications apparatus includes first and second data lines arranged in a differential pair. The data lines convey high speed data within a first frequency range and out of band data within a second frequency range that differs from the first frequency range. The apparatus also includes a band pass filter coupled to the first and second data lines. The filter only passes the out of band data and blocks the high speed data. The apparatus also includes a device coupled to the band pass filter and configured to at least one of transmit and receive out of band data.

Abstract: A connector includes a housing having a mating end, a wire receiving end and a longitudinal axis therethrough. The housing holds a plurality of contacts grouped in pairs and arranged about the axis. At least one shielding member is located within the housing. The at least one shielding member isolates each contact pair from an adjacent contact pair. An organizer is configured for attachment to the wire receiving end of the housing. The organizer defines a central opening that receives a plurality of signal wires. The organizer includes a plurality of wire guides arranged about the central opening. Each wire guide receives one of the signal wires.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing with a mating end and a loading end and having a cavity opening onto the loading end. The loading end is configured to receive wires conveying differential signal pairs. The electrical connector further includes contacts arranged in contact pairs and held in the housing, wherein the contacts have blade portions located at the mating end of the housing and wire terminating portions located at the loading end of the housing. The blade portions extend along different planes that are spaced apart and arranged parallel to one another, and the terminating portions within each of the contact pairs are configured to be joined to wires of a corresponding differential signal pair. The blade portions are arranged in a first pattern, and the terminating portions are arranged in a second pattern that differs from the first pattern. The second pattern is divided into sections, and each section includes the terminating portions of a corresponding contact pair.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing, a printed circuit board (PCB), and a plurality of contacts. The housing includes a mating end and a wire receiving end. The PCB is mounted within the housing and has an opening formed therethrough. The plurality of contacts is configured to extend from the PCB. The opening is configured to receive a second electrical connector configured to mate with the electrical connector.

Abstract: A patch panel system is provided that comprises a frame, a patch panel and connector ports. The patch panel is attached to the frame and has first and second connectivity interfaces. The first connectivity interface has multiple sections joined to form an N-sided portion of a polygon where N is greater than 2. The connector ports are provided at the first connectivity interface. The sections of the first connectivity interface have planar front surfaces that are oriented at obtuse angles to one another.

Abstract: A connector includes a housing having a mating end, a wire receiving end, and a longitudinal axis therethrough. The housing holds a plurality of contacts grouped in differential pairs and arranged about the axis. At least one shielding member is located within the housing. The shielding member isolates each differential contact pair from an adjacent differential contact pair. An organizer is configured for attachment to the wire receiving end of the housing. The organizer defines a central opening that receives a plurality of signal wires carrying differential signals. The organizer includes a plurality of wire guides arranged about and extending radially outward from the central opening. The wire guides receive the signal wires.

Abstract: A cable management system includes an equipment system, and at least one patch panel having a connectivity interface. The connectivity interface is configured to connect with at least one cable extending from the equipment system. The cable management system also includes a manifold configured to be located between the equipment system and the patch panel. The manifold includes an inlet and an outlet, and the manifold is configured to direct the at least one cable from the equipment system to the connectivity interface.

Abstract: A cable management system is provided having a patch panel and a wire manager. The patch panel has a first connectivity interface configured to connect with electronics cables. The wire manager is located proximate the patch panel and has a body with a curved interior contour. The wire manager is oriented in a non-orthogonal relation to the patch panel such that the body of the wire manager extends rearward at a non-orthogonal angle from the first connectivity interface. Wire managers may be mounted on opposite sides of the patch panel and oriented such that the wire managers and patch panels form a C-shape.

Abstract: A network sensing assembly is provided that includes an interface configured to receive a plurality of patch cords and a sensor element positioned proximate the interface. A plurality of contacts establish electrical connection to the sensor element when the patch cords are connected to the interface. At least one conductive element is attached to one of the patch cords and the sensor element. The conductive element is configured to couple more than one of the plurality of contacts when one of the patch cords is connected to the interface.

Abstract: A network sensing assembly is provided that includes an interface configured to receive a plurality of patch cords and a sensor element positioned proximate the interface. A plurality of contacts establish electrical connection to the sensor element when the patch cords are connected to the interface. At least one conductive element is attached to one of the patch cords and the sensor element. The conductive element is configured to couple more than one of the plurality of contacts when one of the patch cords is connected to the interface.

Abstract: A connector assembly is provided having a plug with a sensor probe extending therefrom and a housing having a receptacle jack therein. The receptacle jack is configured to receive the plug, and the housing has a sensor channel associated with the receptacle jack. A sensor contact is retained in the sensor channel and located adjacent the receptacle jack. The sensor contact is aligned with, and engages, the sensor probe when the plug is inserted into the receptacle jack.

Abstract: A connector assembly is provided having a plug with a sensor probe extending therefrom and a housing having a receptacle jack therein. The receptacle jack is configured to receive the plug, and the housing has a sensor channel associated with the receptacle jack. A sensor contact is retained in the sensor channel and located adjacent the receptacle jack. The sensor contact is aligned with, and engages, the sensor probe when the plug is inserted into the receptacle jack.

Abstract: A connector assembly comprising a housing having a jack interface that has a receptacle jack therein, which is configured to receive a plug. The connector assembly also includes a sensor bezel removably attachable to said jack interface. The sensor bezel includes an outer frame configured to engage the jack interface. The sensor bezel also includes jack cavities extending therethrough to allow passage of a plug when inserted into said receptacle jack. A sensor array is secured to the outer frame proximate the jack cavities. The sensor array comprises a sensor contact overlaying the jack interface. The sensor contact is aligned with, and configured to engage, a sensor probe associated with a plug insertable into the receptacle jack.