Abstract: A data center network device provides configurations where the port density can be increased by incorporating multiport transceivers within the device and the use of high density fiber connections on exterior panels of the device. The device also permits dynamically reassigning fiber connections to convert from single fiber connection paths to higher rate bonded fiber paths while at the same time making more efficient use of the fiber interconnections.

Abstract: A fiber port management system that can be connected between network devices and network appliances is provided. The fiber port management system includes a housing, one or more hydra cables within the housing, one or more indicators and a controller. The housing has a front panel with a plurality of low density fiber connectors and a rear panel with a plurality of high density fiber connectors. The hydra cable is positioned within the housing and connects one of the plurality of high density fiber connectors to two or more of the plurality of low density fiber connectors. The one or more indicators are associated with each of the plurality of low density fiber connectors and each of the plurality of high density fiber connectors. The controller is located within the housing and is used to control the operation of the indicators.

Abstract: The network switch architecture permits modifications to the network topology in real time without the need for manual intervention. In this architecture, a switching core is capable of switching data paths directly from the ingress or egress of the switching core to alternate destination ports in real time, either under software or hardware control.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment is directed to an end node comprising a programmable processor configured to execute software and an ETHERNET network interface communicatively coupled to the programmable processor. The network interface is configured to couple the end node to a network. The ETHERNET network interface comprises a media access control device, an ETHERNET physical layer device, and a port to connect a cable to the network interface. The physical layer device comprises an integrated storage-device interface to communicate with a storage device associated with a connector attached to an end of the cable when connected to the network interface via the port. The software is configured to use the integrated storage-device interface to read information stored in the storage device and to communicate the read information over the network.

Abstract: A fiber port management system that can be connected between network devices and network appliances is provided. The fiber port management system includes a housing, one or more hydra cables within the housing, one or more indicators and a controller. The housing has a front panel with a plurality of low density fiber connectors and a rear panel with a plurality of high density fiber connectors. The hydra cable is positioned within the housing and connects one of the plurality of high density fiber connectors to two or more of the plurality of low density fiber connectors. The one or more indicators are associated with each of the plurality of low density fiber connectors and each of the plurality of high density fiber connectors. The controller is located within the housing and is used to control the operation of the indicators.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of fiber optic cable connectors, sleeves for fiber optic cable connectors, fiber optic cable adapters and fiber optic connector assemblies that incorporate intelligent systems that can identify presence and exchange information.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment is directed to an end node that includes functionality to read information stored on or in a segment of physical communication media that is attached to the end node and to communicate the read information over a network (for example, to an aggregation point). Another exemplary embodiment is directed a wall outlet that includes functionality to read information stored on or in a segment of physical communication media connected to it and communicate at least a portion of the information read from the segment of physical communication media to an aggregation point. Another exemplary embodiment is directed a wall outlet that includes a switch and functionality to read information stored on or in a segment of physical communication media connected to it and to communicate at least a portion of the information read from the segment of physical communication media to an aggregation point.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for communicating traffic within a network. The system includes a plurality of switches for receiving/transmitting traffic within the network, a programmable physical layer pathway for providing one or more pathways between the plurality of switches and a controller for controlling the plurality of switches and the programmable physical layer pathway for optimizing a flow of traffic within the network, wherein the controller defines the pathway based on a destination of traffic received by the plurality of switches.

Abstract: A connectivity appliance that can interconnect, optical fiber communication paths of one fiber density to optical fiber communication paths of a different density, for either breakout or aggregation functionality is provided. The connectivity appliance that can interconnect high density connectors, e.g., multi-fiber connectors, to a plurality of low density connectors, e.g., single fiber optic connectors. The connectivity appliance can determine the presence of connectors inserted into the connectivity appliance adapters, determine the characteristics of the cables and connectors inserted into the connectivity appliance and/or in close proximity to the connectivity appliance. Each connector on the connectivity appliances can have one or more associated indicators, e.g., LEDs, on either the front panel or the rear panel that is in close proximity to the relevant adapter and that provides visual indications associated with the connectors.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a data center network having one or more data center rows, where each row has one or more racks, and each rack has one or more network devices, such as servers, storage devices and switches. The rows and racks are interconnected by a fiber interconnect core that reduces the number of switching nodes in the data center network, and reduces the individual path latency, the overall data center network cost, power consumption, and power and cooling requirements.

Abstract: A fiber port management system that can be connected between network devices and network appliances is provided. The fiber port management system includes a housing, one or more hydra cables within the housing, one or more indicators and a controller. The housing has a front panel with a plurality of low density fiber connectors and a rear panel with a plurality of high density fiber connectors. The hydra cable is positioned within the housing and connects one of the plurality of high density fiber connectors to two or more of the plurality of low density fiber connectors. The one or more indicators are associated with each of the plurality of low density fiber connectors and each of the plurality of high density fiber connectors. The controller is located within the housing and is used to control the operation of the indicators.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment is directed to a system comprising a switch used in a network and a central function configured to receive physical layer information related to the network. The physical layer information includes information associating media access control (MAC) addresses of devices on the network with ports of the switch. The switch is configured to use information about a spanning tree determined by the central function to configure the switch to carry out a switching function performed by the switch. The central function is configured to use at least some physical layer information about patching equipment in the network and end devices in the network in associating MAC addresses of devices on the network with the ports of the switch. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A data center path switch architecture permits path switching of the signal path of incoming signals to one or more output paths in real time without the need for manual intervention, and without delays associated with current data center network switches. In this architecture, a switching core capable of switching signals directly from the ingress of the switching core to alternate destination ports in real time, either under software or hardware control.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment is directed to a network management system that uses physical layer information in performing a network management function. Another exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of tracking channel compliance using physical layer information.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes a plurality of connector assemblies. Each of the connector assemblies includes a plurality of ports. Each of the connector assemblies is configured to read information stored on or in physical communication media that is connected to the ports of the respective connector assembly. An aggregation point is communicatively coupled to the plurality of connector assemblies. The aggregation point is configured to automatically discover the connector assemblies and cause each of the connector assemblies to send to the aggregation point at least some of the information read from the physical communication media that is connected to its ports. The aggregation point is configured to store at least some of the information sent by the connector assemblies to the aggregation point. The aggregation point can also be configured to provide at least some of the information it stores to at least one other device via the network.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment is directed to an inter-networking device that performs at least one inter-networking function using physical layer information about the network of which the device is a part. Another exemplary embodiment is directed to capturing physical layer information about physical communication media that is attached to an inter-networking device. Another exemplary embodiment is directed to a technique for generating a spanning tree and/or forwarding database information for a plurality of switches in a network at a central location. The spanning tree and/or forwarding database information is generated at the central location using information including physical layer information about devices and physical communication media in the network. Another exemplary embodiment is directed to an ETHERNET physical layer device having integrated support for capturing physical layer information about the physical communication media connected to the ETHERNET physical layer device.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment is directed to a network management system that uses physical layer information in performing a network management function. Another exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of tracking channel compliance using physical layer information.

Abstract: A data center network device provides configurations where the port density can be increased by incorporating multiport transceivers within the device and the use of high density fiber connections on exterior panels of the device. The device also permits dynamically reassigning fiber connections to convert from single fiber connection paths to higher rate bonded fiber paths while at the same time making more efficient use of the fiber interconnections.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a data center network having one or more data center rows, where each row has one or more racks, and each rack has one or more network devices, such as servers, storage devices and switches. The rows and racks are interconnected by a fiber interconnect core that reduces the number of switching nodes in the data center network, and reduces the individual path latency, the overall data center network cost, power consumption, and power and cooling requirements.

Abstract: A data center path switch architecture permits path switching of the signal path of incoming signals to one or more output paths in real time without the need for manual intervention, and without delays associated with current data center network switches. In this architecture, a switching core capable of switching signals directly from the ingress of the switching core to alternate destination ports in real time, either under software or hardware control.