Electronically-controllable fiber optic patch panel

A method of selectively connecting optical data paths, comprising the steps of:

• selecting a first optical data path from a plurality of optical data paths;
• selecting a second optical data path from the plurality of optical data paths;
• forming an electrical data path between the first optical data path and the second optical data path;
• receiving an optical data signal via the first optical data path;
• converting the optical data signal to a corresponding electrical data signal;
• conveying the electrical data signal from the first optical data path to the second optical data path via the electrical data path;
• converting the electrical data signal back to the optical data signal;
• and
• transmitting the optical data signal via the second optical data path.

A system for connecting an optical input to one or more selected optical outputs, comprising:

• at least one optical input port;
• at least one optical receiver coupled to receive an optical signal via the at least one optical input port, and configured to convert the optical signal into a corresponding electrical signal;
• a plurality of optical output ports;
• a plurality of optical transmitters, each coupled to a different one of the optical output ports, and each configured to selectively receive the corresponding electrical signal and convert it back to the optical signal for transmission through the optical output port;
• electronic circuitry controllable to form an electrical path to convey the corresponding electrical signal from the at least one optical receiver to the optical transmitter coupled to a selected optical output port, so that the optical signal received via the at least one optical input port is transmitted through the selected optical output port.

A method of constructing a computer network, comprising:

• providing a plurality of computer network components configured to communicate via fiber optic communications;
• providing at least one fiber optic patch panel having a plurality of fiber optic ports adapted to connect to fiber optic cables, where the at least one patch panel is electronically-controllable to selectively connect any two of the plural fiber optic ports;
• coupling each network component to a different one of the plural fiber optic ports with a fiber optic cable;
• electronically controlling the at least one patch panel to connect the port coupled to a first one of the plural network components to the port coupled to a second one of the plural network components, so that optical communications from the first network component are received by the second network component.