Patent Application
20130181816
The present invention relates generally to identification of cables, and more particularly, the present invention is directed to the identification and tracking of cables, such as those used in computer and communication networks.
Computer and communication networks rely on cables to connect components of the networks to one another. To facilitate troubleshooting, maintenance and reconfiguration of signal paths used within the networks, it is desired that each and every cable be identified as to its origin and termination. This identification includes recordation of each and every connection, including tagging the end of the cable as well as the port it is plugged into. Additionally, some systems have cables that are passively patched and these patch locations must be recorded as well. In networks with a large number of interconnected components, keeping accurate track of and managing the connections becomes a significant effort. Network problems may occur if interconnections are not accurately recorded in a timely manner.
Paper based documentation which relies on written or printed labels on the ends of cables is still typically used for tracking the inventory of these cable connections. With large networks, the documentation may be recorded in the form of record books where each of the connections are manually recorded. Once the manual list of connections is recorded, the data may then additionally be entered manually into a cable inventory database. These manual processes for recording cable data have obvious disadvantages in terms of effort required and potential for error.
More advanced systems for monitoring and recording cable connections exist. For example, a bar code may be placed at both ends of a cable. These scanned bar codes may be used to identify and locate each of the cables in an inventory. This method is less effective when applied to systems incorporating patch panels since only the endpoints of the cable are being tracked and not the entire passive cable path. Additionally, because bar code information is static and cannot be changed, each time a cable is moved the new location must be updated in the records.
Therefore, a need for an automated inventory system exists that can expedite the inventory process, track a whole passive cable path, and reduce human error.
According to one embodiment of the invention, a method is provided having a database of information connected to a network. The first end of a cable has an identification adapter that stores cable identification information. A first endpoint adapter is connected to a first device, and is also connected to the first cable end. The first endpoint adapter is capable of communicating with the identification adapter of the attached cable end. The first endpoint adapter reads the cable identification information from the identification adapter. The read cable identification information is then stored in the database.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a system for identifying the position of a cable is provided having a cable wherein a first identification adapter coupled to the first end of the cable. The first identification adapter stores cable identification information. A first endpoint adapter is connected to the first cable end. The first endpoint adapter is capable of communicating with the first identification adapter. The first endpoint adapter is also connected to a network connected first device. The system also includes a database for storing cable identification information.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, an inventory system for tracking network cables is provided having a plurality of cables. A first cable has a first end with a first identification adapter and a second end with a second identification adapter, and a second cable has a first end with a third identification adapter and a second end with a fourth identification adapter. A first endpoint connected is connected to a first device, and also to a first end of the first cable. The second end of the first cable is connected to an input port of a passive device having a plurality of input ports and output ports. The first end of the second cable is connected to an output port of the passive device, and the second end of the second cable is connected to a second endpoint adapter. The second endpoint adapter is also connected to a second device. The system additionally includes a database for storing information from all of the identification adapters in the system.
Exemplary embodiments include systems and method for identifying cables. Throughout the disclosure, a storage area network (SAN) system and cables are discussed for illustrative purposes. It will be appreciated that the systems and method described herein can also be implemented to identify any cable type including optical cables, Ethernet cables, and copper cables. The exemplary systems and methods described herein enable identification of cables regardless of how the cables are connected to the system. As such, the systems and methods described herein identify cables that are either plugged and active or not plugged and inactive. Identification can be implemented for initial correct placement, when hardware components are replaced repaired of upgraded, and for debugging problems related to the cables.
The system can further include a first endpoint adapter 32 disposed between the first end 20a of the cable and the first device 30 and a second endpoint adapter 42 disposed between the second end 20b of the cable 20 and the second device 40. The cable 20 is shown as one line for illustrative purposes. Each end 20a, 20b of the cable can plug into the respective endpoint adapter 32, 42. Each of the first endpoint adapter 32 and the second endpoint adapter 42 then plugs into the respective first device 30 and second device 40. For example, the first endpoint adapter 32 and the second endpoint adapter 42 can be a gigabit interface controller (GBIC) or any suitable small for factor pluggable (SFP) device. As such, each of the first endpoint adapter 32 and the second endpoint adapter 42 include connectors that interface directly with the respective first device 30 and second device 40, thereby coupling the cable 20 to the first device 30 and the second device 40. As further described herein, each endpoint adapter is configured to communicate with the identification adapter embedded within the connected cable end. Each endpoint adapter 32, 42 can read information stored on the identification adapter as well as write information to be stored on the identification adapter.
In the exemplary system 10, the first device 30 and the second device 40 are connected to a network. Both the first device 30 and the second device 40 run a utility program within each respective device such that a utility server 50 may access each of the utility programs. The utility server 50 includes a storage database 52 for recording cable path information from each identification adapter. In one embodiment, cable identification information is stored first on each identification adapter and is then recorded in the storage database. In an alternate embodiment, cable identification information is written only to the storage database, not to the identification adapter.
The cable identification information that may be stored directly on each identification adapter and/or on the storage database includes a static cable identification code, a cable path identification code, a local worldwide port name (WWPN), a remote WWPN, a local port identification code, a remote port identification code, a local port equipment or host identification code, a remote port equipment or host identification code, and a plurality of description fields. The cable identification code uniquely identifies each cable and therefore may not be altered by any communication means.
Though the exemplary system of
The system may also include a portable, handheld device 170, such as a personal digital assistant or smartphone, which has been modified to include a communication device 172 that is capable of reading information from and writing information to an identification adapter. This handheld device 170 may be used at passive or non-network connected locations in the system, such as at patch panel 124. Similar to the endpoint adapters 32, 42, the handheld device is connected to the network and may be accessed by the utility server 50 through a utility program run on the device.
With reference to
Once the inventory database 52 is fully created, the records of location of each cable end may be used to determine placement of cables that have been unplugged. In one embodiment of the invention, a device, such as handheld device 170 having communication means 172, could be used to scan an identification adapter in an unconnected end of the cable. This device could then use the information recorded in the database to determine what port the cable end should be connected to. Additionally, the system may be used to track faulty cables. By taking an inventory or “reading” of the locations of all cable ends and comparing the results with the previously recorded data stored in the database 52, discrepancies in the information may be identified and may indicate errors such as a faulty identification adapter or an unplugged cable.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated
The flow diagrams depicted herein are just one example. There may be many variations to this diagram or the steps (or operations) described therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, the steps may be performed in a differing order or steps may be added, deleted or modified. All of these variations are considered a part of the claimed invention.
While the preferred embodiment to the invention had been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.
