Devices, Systems, and Methods for Distributed Monitoring and Control of Networked Server Computers

A method comprising:

• receiving, from a first device external to a network cable, a command signal at a first terminal of a first connector head coupled to a first end of the network cable;
• routing the command signal to a first port of a first switch internal to the first connector head;
• and
• routing the command signal from the first switch to a first bus internal to the first connector head or a second bus internal to the first connector head;
• wherein the second bus internal to the first connector head is coupled to a bus internal to a second connector head coupled to a second end of the network cable.

A system comprising:

• a network cable comprising:
• a first connector head coupled to a first end of the network cable comprising:
• a first signal switch comprising a plurality of ports and having a first port coupled to a first connector terminal configured to establish a first connection external to the network cable;
• a first bus internal to the first connector head coupled to a second port of the first signal switch;
• and
• a second bus internal to the first connector head coupled to a third port of the first signal switch;
• a second connector head coupled to a second end of the network cable comprising:
• a second signal switch comprising a plurality of ports and having a first port coupled to a second connector terminal configured to establish a second connection external to the network cable;
• a first bus internal to the second connector head coupled to a second port of the second signal switch;
• and
• a second bus internal to the second connector head coupled to a third port of the second signal switch and coupled to the second bus internal to the first connector head via the network cable;
• a first network device coupled to the first connector head;
• and
• a second network device coupled to the second connector head.