A communication device is configured to receive data at a first data rate and to transmit the data at a second data rate that is greater than the first data rate. The communication device includes a plurality of communication pipelines and a multiplexer. Each communication pipeline is configured to receive a respective input data stream including first data blocks having a first format compatible for transmission at the first data rate, convert the first data blocks into second data blocks having a second format compatible for transmission at the second data rate, and provide an indication when one of the input data streams that is expected to be received is not received. The multiplexer is configured to receive the second data blocks from the communication pipelines and to generate an output data stream for transmission at the second data rate when one of the input data streams is not received.

A rack and patch panel arrangement includes a rack having at least two mounting rails. The rack has a height width and depth. A patch panel is supported on a frame connected to the mounting rails. The patch panel, when mounted on the frame extends horizontally into the depth of the rack.

A communication device includes a plurality of communication pipelines configured to receive respective input data streams and a multiplexer coupled to the plurality of communication pipelines. The multiplexer is configured to generate an output data stream by combining the input data streams and to insert one or more special characters into the output data stream in response to a fault with one of the communication pipelines.

A cable conduit for distribution panels in network technology is provided comprising a first section for fastening and a second section for guiding cables, in which the first section is embodied such that the cable conduit, seen in the plug-in direction(s) of the distribution panel, can be arranged in front of a distribution panel such that the first section is arranged at a first part of the cable conduit and the second section is arranged at least partially at a second part of the cable conduit, which can be separated from the first part of the cable conduit and after the separation can be reconnected to the first part of the cable conduit, as well as a distribution panel comprising such a cable conduit.

Frame injection apparatus for injecting frames from a host device into a switched Ethernet network comprises a frame memory operable to receive and store one host frame at a time and to inject the frame onto the Ethernet switched network between network frames and to buffer network frames received during the time that the host frame is being injected onto the network.