Management of a network supplying power over data lines

Abstract

According to some embodiments of the invention, a patch panel having power and connectivity management capabilities is provided. The patch panel may include on a single printed circuit board a power distribution module to control and manage distribution of power over data communication cables and a scanning module to enable management of end-to-end physical connectivity of communication ports of a telecommunication network.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanied drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a high level diagram of a portion of a communication system having a physical connectivity and power management capabilities according to embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a front view of a patch panel of a communication system having connectivity and power management capabilities according to embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A patch panel comprising: a plurality of communication ports to transmit and receive data and power over communication lines;a scanning circuitry coupled to said ports to enable physical connectivity management of said ports; anda power distribution circuitry coupled to said ports to enable power management of said ports.

2. The patch panel of claim 1 comprising: a plurality of connectivity status indicators, each of which associated with one of said ports to indicate physical connectivity status of said port; anda plurality of power status indicators, each of which associated with one of said ports to indicate power status of said port,wherein said connectivity status indicators are controlled by said scanning circuitry and said power status indicators are controlled by said power distribution circuitry.

3. The patch panel of claim 1, wherein said power distribution circuitry is coupled to a power management system, and said scanning circuitry is coupled to a physical connectivity management system.

4. The patch panel of claim 3, wherein said physical connectivity status comprises representation of real time monitoring signals received from said physical connectivity management system.

5. The patch panel of claim 3, wherein said power management system is to manage feed of power to said data communication lines.

6. The patch panel of claim 3, wherein said physical connectivity management system is to obtain connectivity map of said ports by transmitting and receiving scanning signals.

7. The patch panel of claim 2, wherein said connectivity status indicators and said power status indicators comprise light emitted diodes.

8. The patch panel of claim 1, wherein said scanning circuitry and power distribution circuitry are placed on a single printed circuit board.

9. The patch panel of claim 1, wherein said patch panel has a height of one standard unit (1U).

10. A communication system comprising: a patch panel having a scanning circuitry, a power distribution circuitry and a plurality of communication ports to transmit and receive data and power over communication lines;a physical connectivity management system coupled to said scanning circuitry to enable physical connectivity management of said ports; anda power management system coupled to said power distribution circuitry to enable power management of said ports.

11. The communication system of claim 10 comprising: a plurality of connectivity status indicators, each of which associated with one of said ports to indicate physical connectivity status of said port; anda plurality of power status indicators, each of which associated with one of said ports to indicate power status of said port,wherein said connectivity status indicators are controlled by said scanning circuitry and said power status indicators are controlled by said power distribution circuitry.

12. The communication system of claim 11, wherein said physical connectivity status comprises representation of real time monitoring signals received from said physical connectivity management system.

13. The communication system of claim 10, wherein said power management system is to manage feed of power to said data communication lines.

14. The communication system of claim 10, wherein said physical connectivity management system is to obtain connectivity map of said ports by transmitting and receiving scanning signals.

15. The communication system of claim 11, wherein said connectivity status indicators and said power status indicators comprise light emitted diodes.

16. The communication system of claim 10, wherein said scanning circuitry and power distribution circuitry are placed on a single printed circuit board.

17. The communication system of claim 10, wherein said patch panel has a height of one standard unit (1U).