Enclosure for a network communications module

Abstract

An electronic device that includes a housing that defines an envelope and that defines a horizontal routing channel within the envelope. A plurality of boards is arranged horizontally within the housing and at least one board includes input-output ports. At least one communication conduit is coupled to an input-output port. The boards that include input-output ports are recessed with respect to the envelope and are arranged such that the input-output ports are adjacent to the routing channel. Communication conduits are routed through the routing channel.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An electronic device comprising: 
 a housing that defines an envelope and that defines a horizontal routing channel within the envelope;    a plurality of boards arranged horizontally within the housing, at least one board including input/output ports; and    at least one communication conduit coupled to an input/output port;    wherein boards that include input/output ports are recessed with respect to the envelope and are arranged such that the input/output ports are adjacent the routing channel; and    wherein communication conduits are routed through the routing channel.    
     
     
         2 . An electronic device in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the electronic device is a network communications module and the plurality of boards comprises one network data processor, two input/output modules including input/output ports, one MFC and one power entry module.  
     
     
         3 . An electronic device in accordance with  claim 2  further comprising a fan tray within the housing.  
     
     
         4 . An electronic device in accordance with  claim 2  wherein the power entry module and MFC are also adjacent the routing channel.  
     
     
         5 . An electronic device in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a cover that at least partially covers the routing channel.  
     
     
         6 . An electronic device in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the envelope is in a range of 16.8-17.8 inches long, 4.5-5.5 inches deep and 10.5-11.5 inches high.  
     
     
         7 . An electronic device in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the boards that are recessed are recessed in a range of 1.0-2.5 inches.  
     
     
         8 . An electronic device in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the envelope is substantially 17.3 inches long, 5.0 inches deep and 11.0 inches high.  
     
     
         9 . An electronic device in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the boards that are recessed are recessed in a range of 1.0-2.5 inches.  
     
     
         10 . A telecommunications system comprising at least one network communications module, the network communications module comprising: 
 a housing that defines an envelope and that defines a horizontal routing channel within the envelope;    a plurality of boards arranged horizontally within the housing, at least one board including input/output ports; and    at least one communication conduit coupled to an input/output port;    wherein boards that include input/output ports are recessed with respect to the envelope and are arranged such that the input/output ports are adjacent the routing channel; and    wherein communication conduits are routed through the routing channel.    
     
     
         11 . A telecommunications system in accordance with  claim 10  wherein the plurality of boards comprises one network data processor, two input/output modules including input/output ports, one MFC and one power entry module.  
     
     
         12 . A telecommunications system in accordance with  claim 11  further comprising a fan tray within the housing.  
     
     
         13 . A telecommunications system in accordance with  claim 11  wherein the power entry module and MFC are also adjacent the routing channel.  
     
     
         14 . A telecommunications system in accordance with  claim 10  wherein the network communications module further comprises a cover that at least partially covers the routing channel.  
     
     
         15 . An electronic device in accordance with  claim 10  wherein the envelope is in a range of 16.8-17.8 inches long, 4.5-5.5 inches deep and 10.5-11.5 inches high.  
     
     
         16 . An electronic device in accordance with  claim 15  wherein the boards that are recessed are recessed in a range of 1.0-2.5 inches.  
     
     
         17 . An electronic device in accordance with  claim 15  wherein the envelope is substantially 17.3 inches long, 5.0 inches deep and 11.0 inches high.  
     
     
         18 . An electronic device in accordance with  claim 18  wherein the boards that are recessed are recessed in a range of 1.0-2.5 inches.  
     
     
         19 . A method of managing communication conduits within a network telecommunications system, the method comprising: 
 providing a network communications module that defines an envelope and a horizontal routing channel within the envelope;    coupling at least one communication conduit to an input/output port within the network communications module, the input/out port being recessed within the envelope; and    routing the communication conduit from the input/output port through the routing channel.