System for intelligent patching of telecommunication cables with a communication network

Abstract

A datacommunications patching system includes: a mounting frame; a first module mounted in the mounting frame and including a plurality of connector ports on one side thereof and first and second connectors on another side thereof; and a backplane that is mounted in the mounting frame. The backplane electrically connects to the first module via the first connector when the first module is mounted in the mounting frame in a first orientation, and wherein the backplane electrically connects to the first module via the second connector when the first module is mounted in the mounting frame in a second orientation that is inverted from the first orientation.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A datacommunications patching system, comprising:
 a mounting frame;   a module mounted in the mounting frame and including a plurality of connector ports on one side thereof and first and second connectors on another side thereof, wherein one of a plurality of tracer lights is associated with a respective one of each of the connector ports; and   at least one dust cap inserted into one of the plurality of connector ports, the dust cap formed of a material that provides a visual indication when illuminated with a respective one of the plurality of tracer lights, and that permits the passage of infrared radiation.   
     
     
         2 . The patching system defined in  claim 1 , wherein the dust cap is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         3 . The patching system defined in  claim 2 , wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is a polyethylene-polypropylene copolymer. 
     
     
         4 . The patching system defined in  claim 1 , wherein the material of the dust cap is ROHAS compliant. 
     
     
         5 . The patching system defined in  claim 1 , wherein the material of the dust cap glows when illuminated with the tracer light. 
     
     
         6 . The patching system defined in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ports comprises a plurality of fiber optic adapters. 
     
     
         7 . The patching system defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a backplane mounted in the mounting frame, and wherein the backplane includes circuitry that identifies whether a respective port is connected with a mating connector.