Abstract: Systems, equipment and methods for automatically tracking cable connections and for identifying work area devices and related methods of operating communications networks are provided. In one embodiment, a method of automatically identifying an end device that is connected to a local area network, the method comprising: transmitting a first control signal over a control channel that runs from a first connector port on a patch panel of the local area network to an integrated circuit chip mounted on the end device through at least a communications cable, a second connector port and a patch cord; receiving a second control signal from the integrated circuit chip over the control channel in response to the first signal, the second signal including identifying information for the end device.

Abstract: Methods of executing patching connection changes in a patching field are provided in which an electronic work order is received on a display located at the patching field, the electronic work order specifying the patching connection change. A technician may perform the patching connection change. Then, an electronic message may be sent from the patching field indicating that the patching change has been completed.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method of tracking, using an automated infrastructure management (AIM) system, connections made using a breakout cable. The breakout cable comprises a plurality of breakout connectors at a breakout end of the breakout cable. The method comprises identifying a sequence for adding or removing connections involving the breakout connectors of the breakout cable, identifying events associated with adding or removing connections involving the breakout connectors of the breakout cable, and associating the breakout connectors of the breakout cable with added or removed connections based on the identified sequence and the identified events. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of identifying available connector ports on rack mounted equipment use an image capture device to capture an image of a front face of an equipment rack. The captured image is compared to at least one stored image. A patch cord insertion status of at least one connector port included on an item of equipment that is mounted on the equipment rack is then determined based at least in part on the comparison of the captured image to the at least one stored image.

Abstract: Methods of executing patching connection changes in a patching field are provided in which an electronic work order is received on a display located at the patching field, the electronic work order specifying the patching connection change. A technician may perform the patching connection change. Then, an electronic message may be sent from the patching field indicating that the patching change has been completed.

Abstract: Methods of identifying available connector ports on rack mounted equipment use an image capture device to capture an image of a front face of an equipment rack. The captured image is compared to at least one stored image. A patch cord insertion status of at least one connector port included on an item of equipment that is mounted on the equipment rack is then determined based at least in part on the comparison of the captured image to the at least one stored image.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method of tracking, using an automated infrastructure management (AIM) system, connections made using a breakout cable. The breakout cable comprises a plurality of breakout connectors at a breakout end of the breakout cable. The method comprises identifying a sequence for adding or removing connections involving the breakout connectors of the breakout cable, identifying events associated with adding or removing connections involving the breakout connectors of the breakout cable, and associating the breakout connectors of the breakout cable with added or removed connections based on the identified sequence and the identified events. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of executing patching connection changes in a patching field are provided in which an electronic work order is received on a display located at the patching field, the electronic work order specifying the patching connection change. A technician may perform the patching connection change. Then, an electronic message may be sent from the patching field indicating that the patching change has been completed.

Abstract: Systems, equipment and methods for automatically tracking cable connections and for identifying work area devices and related methods of operating communications networks are provided. In one embodiment, a method of automatically identifying an end device that is connected to a local area network, the method comprising: transmitting a first control signal over a control channel that runs from a first connector port on a patch panel of the local area network to an integrated circuit chip mounted on the end device through at least a communications cable, a second connector port and a patch cord; receiving a second control signal from the integrated circuit chip over the control channel in response to the first signal, the second signal including identifying information for the end device.

Abstract: A telecommunications patching system having point-to-point tracing capabilities includes: a plurality of end devices; at least one rack structure; a plurality of patch panels mounted to each rack structure; a plurality of connector ports disposed on each of the patch panels; a plurality of patch cords for selectively interconnecting different pairs of connector ports; a plurality of cables for selectively interconnecting the connector ports on the patch panels with respective end devices; tracing modules associated with said connector ports and end devices that monitor connectivity of the connector ports and end devices; and a display associated with the tracing modules configured to display the connectivity of a circuit comprising one or more of the connector ports and one or more of the end devices.

Abstract: Methods of identifying available connector ports on rack mounted equipment use an image capture device to capture an image of a front face of an equipment rack. The captured image is compared to at least one stored image.

Abstract: Methods for collecting information regarding a remote connector port that is connected to a patch panel connector port by a communications cable that has at least one data communications channel and a separate control channel are provided in which a first conductor of the separate control channel of the communications cable is biased to power an integrated circuit chip that is associated with the remote connector port. A first signal is transmitted over the separate control channel of the communications cable to the integrated circuit chip associated with the remote connector port. A second signal is received from the integrated circuit chip over the separate control channel of the communications cable in response to the first signal. The second signal includes information regarding the remote connector port.

Abstract: Methods of executing patching connection changes in a patching field are provided in which an electronic work order is received on a display located at the patching field, the electronic work order specifying the patching connection change. A technician may perform the patching connection change. Then, an electronic message may be sent from the patching field indicating that the patching change has been completed.

Abstract: Methods of identifying available connector ports on rack mounted equipment use an image capture device to capture an image of a front face of an equipment rack. The captured image is compared to at least one stored image.

Abstract: Methods of executing patching connection changes in a patching field are provided in which an electronic work order is received on a display located at the patching field, the electronic work order specifying the patching connection change. A technician may perform the patching connection change. Then, an electronic message may be sent from the patching field indicating that the patching change has been completed.

Abstract: Methods of executing patching connection changes in a patching field are provided in which an electronic work order is received on a display located at the patching field, the electronic work order specifying the patching connection change. A technician may perform the patching connection change. Then, an electronic message may be sent from the patching field indicating that the patching change has been completed.

Abstract: A telecommunications patching system includes a patch panel comprising a plurality of connector ports and a plurality of patch cords 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. The connectors of a respective patch cord have the same unique identifier associated therewith. A first sensor is located at each connector port and detects when a patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, a respective connector port. A second sensor is located at each connector port and reads the identifier of a patch cord connector inserted within a respective connector port. The first and second sensors are in communication with a controller that monitors and logs patch cord interconnections with the connector ports.

Abstract: Methods of executing patching connection changes in a patching field are provided in which an electronic work order is received on a display located at the patching field, the electronic work order specifying the patching connection change. A technician may perform the patching connection change. Then, an electronic message may be sent from the patching field indicating that the patching change has been completed.

Abstract: Methods of executing patching connection changes in a patching field are provided in which an electronic work order is received on a display located at the patching field, the electronic work order specifying the patching connection change. A technician may perform the patching connection change. Then, an electronic message may be sent from the patching field indicating that the patching change has been completed.

Abstract: A telecommunications patching system having point-to-point tracing capabilities includes: a plurality of end devices; at least one rack structure; a plurality of patch panels mounted to each rack structure; a plurality of connector ports disposed on each of the patch panels; a plurality of patch cords for selectively interconnecting different pairs of connector ports; a plurality of cables for selectively interconnecting the connector ports on the patch panels with respective end devices; tracing modules associated with said connector ports and end devices that monitor connectivity of the connector ports and end devices; and a display associated with the tracing modules configured to display the connectivity of a circuit comprising one or more of the connector ports and one or more of the end devices.