Active cables and communication methods can provide data path redundancy with power sharing. In one illustrative cable implementation, the cable includes a first connector with contacts to supply power to circuitry in the first connector; a second connector with contacts to supply power to a component of the circuitry in the first connector via a first connection that prevents reverse current flow; and a third connector with contacts to supply power to the same component via a second connection that prevents reverse current flow. An illustrative method implementation includes: using contacts of a first connector to supply power to circuitry in the first connector; and using contacts in each of multiple redundant connectors to supply power to a component of said circuitry in the first connector via a corresponding diodic or switched connection that prevents reverse current flow.

The ability to efficiently and reliably transmit, route and receive data across telecommunication networks is essential for existing and evolving applications where connectivity to these networks is a ubiquitous aspect of society today. However, limitations in existing telecommunication networks impact this through performance, cost, and speed. To address this the inventor has established improvements with respect to routing (switching), processing, and monitoring. For routing low latency switch architectures for improving packet-based data switching are described. For processing digital optical logic devices and digital optical processing structures for enhanced functionality and processing within optical telecommunication networks are described. For monitoring improved optical connectors which provide embedded monitoring and analytical functionality for improved management of optical telecommunication networks are described.

A communication system includes a first basic service set (BSS) having a first plurality of nodes including a first node, and a second BSS overlapping the first BSS and having a second plurality of nodes including a second node. Upon receipt, from the second node, of a signal specifying a transmission duration, the first node operates at a reduced power level for a total time interval triggered by the signal. The total time interval may include a backoff duration of the first node, a transmit opportunity period (TXOP) of the first node, and a fixed grace period following the TXOP of the first node. A method of operating a node in such a system includes receiving, at the first node, a signal from the second node specifying a transmission duration, and operating the first node at a reduced power level for a total time interval triggered by the signal.

A system applied to patch panels having pairs of ports to be interconnected by the insertion of connectors provided at each end of a patch cord and carrying a passive NFC identification tag and containing a unique identity of the patch cord. A tracking module associated to each patch panel and connected to a controller device and comprising an NFC antenna associated with each panel port and a reader for processing and storing the signals that each antenna picks up from the identification tag of a connector inserted in the respective panel port. Each tracking module carries a light indicator, indicating the connection status of each port, and a button for registering the patch panel in the controller device having its operation managed, in accordance with a programmed interconnection layout, by a server.

In one embodiment, the method includes inserting an access node along a subscriber loop, the access node including a bypass switch for initially connecting a terminal segment of the subscriber loop to a network segment of the subscriber loop; operating a legacy communication service over the subscriber loop; and connecting a PSE for reverse power feeding of the access node and a new subscriber device for operating the new broadband communication service to the terminal segment. The method further includes, by the PSE, transmitting a sequence of successive command signals over the terminal segment prior to the insertion of the power feeding signal; by the access node, accumulating an electrical charge from the command signals; by the access node and by means of the so accumulated electrical charge, detecting a valid command signal in the sequence of successive command signals, and thereupon configuring the bypass switch for connecting the terminal segment to a transceiver and to a PSU; by the PSE, injecting the power feeding signal over the terminal segment for reverse power feeding of the access node; and operating the new broadband communication service over the terminal segment.

A network device may identify a configuration of resources that are to support attachable line cards. The configuration may include a power supply configuration that is used to provide power to packet processing components that are supported by the line cards, and a resource distribution configuration indicating whether resources in the line cards are shared between the packet processing components. The network device may determine whether to modify a power state of a packet processing component based on whether one or more power modification conditions are satisfied. The network device may modify the power state of the packet processing component based on determining that the power modification condition is satisfied. The power state of the packet processing component may be able to be modified to a particular power state based on the configuration of resources.

Modular network switches and other computer systems are described herein. A modular network switch can include a latching device for installing and removing computer modules (e.g., line cards) from an associated cabinet or enclosure. The network switch can also include interconnected computer modules (e.g., line cards, fabric cards, control modules, etc.) that include circuit boards oriented parallel to the flow of cooling air through the cabinet in the absence of a backplane or midplane oriented perpendicular to the air flow. The absence of such backplanes and/or midplanes provides a more direct air flow path through the cabinet, thereby enabling a more efficient flow of cooling air and lower operating temperatures. Additionally, the network switch can include an orthogonal arrangement of data planes, control planes, and/or power planes that can be efficiently interconnected to increase operational speed and further facilitate the flow of cooling air through the computer cabinet.

In one embodiment, the method includes inserting an access node along a subscriber loop, the access node including a bypass switch for initially connecting a terminal segment of the subscriber loop to a network segment of the subscriber loop; operating a legacy communication service over the subscriber loop; and connecting a PSE for reverse power feeding of the access node and a new subscriber device for operating the new broadband communication service to the terminal segment. The method further includes, by the PSE, transmitting a sequence of successive command signals over the terminal segment prior to the insertion of the power feeding signal; by the access node, accumulating an electrical charge from the command signals; by the access node and by means of the so accumulated electrical charge, detecting a valid command signal in the sequence of successive command signals, and thereupon configuring the bypass switch for connecting the terminal segment to a transceiver and to a PSU; by the PSE, injecting the power feeding signal over the terminal segment for reverse power feeding of the access node; and operating the new broadband communication service over the terminal segment.

Modular network switches and other computer systems are described herein. A modular network switch can include a latching device for installing and removing computer modules (e.g., line cards) from an associated cabinet or enclosure. The network switch can also include interconnected computer modules (e.g., line cards, fabric cards, control modules, etc.) that include circuit boards oriented parallel to the flow of cooling air through the cabinet in the absence of a backplane or midplane oriented perpendicular to the air flow. The absence of such backplanes and/or midplanes provides a more direct air flow path through the cabinet, thereby enabling a more efficient flow of cooling air and lower operating temperatures. Additionally, the network switch can include an orthogonal arrangement of data planes, control planes, and/or power planes that can be efficiently interconnected to increase operational speed and further facilitate the flow of cooling air through the computer cabinet.

A system applied to patch panels having pairs of ports to be interconnected by the insertion of connectors provided at each end of a patch cord and carrying a passive NFC identification tag and containing a unique identity of the patch cord. A tracking module associated to each patch panel and connected to a controller device and comprising an NFC antenna associated with each panel port and a reader for processing and storing the signals that each antenna picks up from the identification tag of a connector inserted in the respective panel port. Each tracking module carries a light indicator, indicating the connection status of each port, and a button for registering the patch panel in the controller device having its operation managed, in accordance with a programmed interconnection layout, by a server.