Abstract: A connector port is adapted for a (NID) to receive a connectorized optical fiber from inside the NID and a pre-connectorized drop cable from outside the NID. An exterior connector port includes a base positioned within an opening defined by an external wall of the NID, a mount on the base and a connector receptacle secured to the mount adjacent the external wall. An interior connector port includes an insert positioned within an opening defined by an external wall of the NID, a bracket mounted inside the NID and a connector receptacle secured to the bracket. A connector port also includes an insert positioned within an opening defined by a wall of the NID and a connector port secured to the insert. The connector port permits a field technician to readily connect, disconnect and reconfigure optical connections between the connectorized optical fiber and the pre-connectorized drop cable in the field.

Abstract: An enclosure for housing communications equipment at a subscriber premises includes at least one cable port for receiving a service provider cable, a subscriber cable, and a ground cable. The enclosure further includes a housing having a base and an outer cover movably attached to the base between an opened position and a closed position so as to define a housing interior volume when the outer cover is in the closed position. A grounding post extends from the base within the housing interior volume and is electrically connectable with the ground cable. Active electronic components located in the housing interior volume connect the service provider cable with the subscriber cable. A service provider security nut attachable to the grounding post both fixes the active electronic components within the housing and grounds the active electronic components to the grounding post and the ground cable.

Abstract: A slack storage receptacle for storing an excess length of a pre-connectorized fiber optic drop cable extending between an optical connection terminal and a network interface device (NID) includes a housing and a storage means disposed within the housing for receiving the drop cable such that the drop cable slack is stored external to the NID. The slack storage receptacle may be secured to an exterior wall of a subscriber premises and the NID mounted thereon. Alternatively, the slack storage receptacle may be positioned around and formed to the NID. Alternatively, the slack storage receptacle may be buried in the ground adjacent the NID. The drop cable slack may be wound onto the storage means after deployment. Alternatively, the slack storage receptacle may be pre-assembled, shipped to the subscriber premises, and the drop cable unwound from the storage means with the drop cable slack remaining wound on the storage means.

Abstract: A connector port is adapted for a (NID) to receive a connectorized optical fiber from inside the NID and a pre-connectorized drop cable from outside the NID. An exterior connector port includes a base positioned within an opening defined by an external wall of the NID, a mount on the base and a connector receptacle secured to the mount adjacent the external wall. An interior connector port includes an insert positioned within an opening defined by an external wall of the NID, a bracket mounted inside the NID and a connector receptacle secured to the bracket. A connector port also includes an insert positioned within an opening defined by a wall of the NID and a connector port secured to the insert. The connector port permits a field technician to readily connect, disconnect and reconfigure optical connections between the connectorized optical fiber and the pre-connectorized drop cable in the field.

Abstract: An enclosure for housing communications equipment at a subscriber premises includes at least one cable port for receiving a service provider cable, a subscriber cable, and a ground cable. The enclosure further includes a housing having a base and an outer cover movably attached to the base between an opened position and a closed position so as to define a housing interior volume when the outer cover is in the closed position. A grounding post extends from the base within the housing interior volume and is electrically connectable with the ground cable. Active electronic components located in the housing interior volume connect the service provider cable with the subscriber cable. A service provider security nut attachable to the grounding post both fixes the active electronic components within the housing and grounds the active electronic components to the grounding post and the ground cable.

Abstract: A connector port is adapted for a (NID) to receive a connectorized optical fiber from inside the NID and a pre-connectorized drop cable from outside the NID. An exterior connector port includes a base positioned within an opening defined by an external wall of the NID, a mount on the base and a connector receptacle secured to the mount adjacent the external wall. An interior connector port includes an insert positioned within an opening defined by an external wall of the NID, a bracket mounted inside the NID and a connector receptacle secured to the bracket. A connector port also includes an insert positioned within an opening defined by a wall of the NID and a connector port secured to the insert. The connector port permits a field technician to readily connect, disconnect and reconfigured optical connections between the connectorized optical fiber and the pre-connectorized drop cable in the field.

Abstract: A low cost universal network interface device capable of accommodating various terminating devices. The network interface device generally including a base defining an interior cavity, and being further defined by a provider portion and a subscriber portion. The network interface device further including a protective outer cover having an integrated override feature operable for permitting access to the provider portion and the subscriber portion of the base in one step. The network interface device also includes an improved terminating device having a locking feature having a locking slide and a movable latch for preventing unauthorized access to the interior of the terminating device. The network interface device further comprises a sealing grommet having a wave like shape for sealingly enveloping provider or subscriber lines that are routed into the base, thereby preventing outside contaminants from entering.

Abstract: A network interface device (NID) for a fiber optic communications network is provided for housing optical, electrical and/or coaxial connections and active and/or passive components. The NID includes a base and a movable panel defining a connections area and a components area. In one embodiment, a first base defines a first compartment for housing the panel and a second base defining a second compartment for storing drop cable slack, the first base being movably attached to the second base to provide access to the drop cable slack without disturbing the connections. In another embodiment, the panel defines a first compartment for optical and electrical connections and a second compartment for active and passive components, the second compartment being accessible to only the service provider. In another embodiment, the panel is removable and interchangeable to permit the service provider to upgrade the services or to expand services provided to a subscriber.

Abstract: A network interface device (NID) for a fiber optic communications network is provided for housing optical, electrical and/or coaxial connections and active and/or passive components. The NID includes a base and a movable panel defining a connections area and a components area. In one embodiment, a first base defines a first compartment for housing the panel and a second base defining a second compartment for storing drop cable slack, the first base being movably attached to the second base to provide access to the drop cable slack without disturbing the connections. In another embodiment, the panel defines a first compartment for optical and electrical connections and a second compartment for active and passive components, the second compartment being accessible to only the service provider. In another embodiment, the panel is removable and interchangeable to permit the service provider to upgrade the services or to expand services provided to a subscriber.

Abstract: A connector port is adapted for a (NID) to receive a connectorized optical fiber from inside the NID and a pre-connectorized drop cable from outside the NID. An exterior connector port includes a base positioned within an opening defined by an external wall of the NID, a mount on the base and a connector receptacle secured to the mount adjacent the external wall. An interior connector port includes an insert positioned within an opening defined by an external wall of the NID, a bracket mounted inside the NID and a connector receptacle secured to the bracket. A connector port also includes an insert positioned within an opening defined by a wall of the NID and a connector port secured to the insert. The connector port permits a field technician to readily connect, disconnect and reconfigure optical connections between the connectorized optical fiber and the pre-connectorized drop cable in the field.

Abstract: A connector port is adapted for a (NID) to receive a connectorized optical fiber from inside the NID and a pre-connectorized drop cable from outside the NID. An exterior connector port includes a base positioned within an opening defined by an external wall of the NID, a mount on the base and a connector receptacle secured to the mount adjacent the external wall. An interior connector port includes an insert positioned within an opening defined by an external wall of the NID, a bracket mounted inside the NID and a connector receptacle secured to the bracket. A connector port also includes an insert positioned within an opening defined by a wall of the NID and a connector port secured to the insert. The connector port permits a field technician to readily connect, disconnect and reconfigure optical connections between the connectorized optical fiber and the pre-connectorized drop cable in the field.

Abstract: A connector port is adapted for a (NID) to receive a connectorized optical fiber from inside the NID and a pre-connectorized drop cable from outside the NID. An exterior connector port includes a base positioned within an opening defined by an external wall of the NID, a mount on the base and a connector receptacle secured to the mount adjacent the external wall. An interior connector port includes an insert positioned within an opening defined by an external wall of the NID, a bracket mounted inside the NID and a connector receptacle secured to the bracket. A connector port also includes an insert positioned within an opening defined by a wall of the NID and a connector port secured to the insert. The connector port permits a field technician to readily connect, disconnect and reconfigure optical connections between the connectorized optical fiber and the pre-connectorized drop cable in the field.

Abstract: A connector port is adapted for a (NID) to receive a connectorized optical fiber from inside the NID and a pre-connectorized drop cable from outside the NID. An exterior connector port includes a base positioned within an opening defined by an external wall of the NID, a mount on the base and a connector receptacle secured to the mount adjacent the external wall. An interior connector port includes an insert positioned within an opening defined by an external wall of the NID, a bracket mounted inside the NID and a connector receptacle secured to the bracket. A connector port also includes an insert positioned within an opening defined by a wall of the NID and a connector port secured to the insert. The connector port permits a field technician to readily connect, disconnect and reconfigure optical connections between the connectorized optical fiber and the pre-connectorized drop cable in the field.

Abstract: A slack storage receptacle for storing an excess length of a pre-connectorized fiber optic drop cable extending between an optical connection terminal and a network interface device (NID) includes a housing and a storage means disposed within the housing for receiving the drop cable such that the drop cable slack is stored external to the NID. The slack storage receptacle may be secured to an exterior wall of a subscriber premises and the NID mounted thereon. Alternatively, the slack storage receptacle may be positioned around and formed to the NID. Alternatively, the slack storage receptacle may be buried in the ground adjacent the NID. The drop cable slack may be wound onto the storage means after deployment. Alternatively, the slack storage receptacle may be pre-assembled, shipped to the subscriber premises, and the drop cable unwound from the storage means with the drop cable slack remaining wound on the storage means.

Abstract: A housing for a distributed filter removably mounts to a wall plate between the wall plate and a wall-mount telephone without the use of a tool. The housing includes a base and a cover attached to the base that together define a cavity. A filter circuit for filtering voice signals is disposed within the cavity. A phone jack and at least one auxiliary jack are also disposed in the cavity and accessible through the cover. In one embodiment, viewing windows are formed through the cover to permit an installer to view the mounting studs on the wall plate during installation. A slide lock is also provided to secure the housing to the wall plate. In another embodiment, a push-button lock is provided to secure the housing to the wall plate. The push-button is forced outwardly during installation when a mounting stud engages a slot formed in the base and is subsequently depressed to secure the housing to the wall plate.

Abstract: A housing is provided for interconnecting customer premises equipment with a digital subscriber line (DSL) at a location remote from a telephone company central office. The housing includes a base defining an interior cavity and at least one xDSL/POTS splitter positioned within the interior cavity. The splitter combines a POTS signal and a data signal from the central office into a combined signal on the DSL and separates a combined signal on the DSL from the customer premises equipment into the POTS signal and the data signal. In a particular embodiment, a back-plane circuit board having at least one card socket connector is positioned within the interior cavity and the splitter is mounted on a circuit card having a board edge connector. The board edge connector is received within the card socket connector to electrically connect the splitter to the back-plane circuit board.

Abstract: A universal xDSL splitter includes a data jack that is configured to be compatible with either of the wiring configurations of the xDSL modems presently in widespread use in the telecommunications industry. The data jack is wired to receive a conventional RJ-11 style plug that utilizes positions 3 and 4 of the plug and data jack to electrically connect the xDSL splitter to the xDSL modem. At the same time, the data jack is also wired to receive a conventional RJ-11 style plug that utilizes positions 2 and 5 of the plug and data jack to electrically connect the xDSL splitter to the xDSL modem. In a preferred embodiment, gold contacts are provided in each of positions 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the data jack. Positions 2 and 5 are electrically connected together and positions 3 and 4 are electrically connected together.