# US 7,613,124 B2 · Method and apparatus for documenting network paths > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,613,124 B2 - Document ID: US7613124B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/419,243 - Filed: 2006-05-19 - Published: 2006-11-23 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 2005-05-19 - Assignees: Panduit Corp. - Inventors: Jack E. Caveney - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7613124B2 ## CPC - H04L 41/00: Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks - H04B 3/548: {the power on the line being DC (arrangements for feeding power H04L12/10; extracting feeding power from signals H04L25/02)} - H04B 2203/5445: Local network - H04B 2203/5458: Monitor sensor; Alarm systems - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - H04B: TRANSMISSION ## Abstract Methods and apparatus for documenting network path connectivity are described that allow a network management system/revision management system (NMS/RMS) to determine what equipment and ports support a network path by interrupting and restoring Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) service on the network path. Upon detecting a loss of PoE service, communication active jacks that support network path connectivity may activate an internal switch that interrupts downstream connectivity. Each communication active jack along the network path may then begin broadcasting a unique message in the upstream direction that is addressed to the NMS/RMS. Upon receiving a unique active jack message, the NMS/RMS may record the information contained within and instruct the communication active jack to reestablish connectivity to the next downstream device. In this manner, as each device along a network path regains connectivity the network path information stored within the NMS/RMS is updated until a complete view of the network path is documented. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connector comprising: an upstream network path cable connection having a plurality of pairs of leads; a downstream network path cable connection; a broadcast controller connectable to the upstream network path cable connection, the broadcast controller configured to transmit a broadcast signal from the upstream network path cable connection; a switch configured to connect the upstream network path cable connection and one of: the downstream network path cable connection, or the broadcast controller; a switch controller that controls the switch; and a detector connected with the upstream network path cable connection and the switch controller, the detector configured to detect a predetermined change in an Ethernet signal at the upstream network path cable connection and to provide a switch signal to the switch controller in response thereto. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) detector connected with the upstream network path cable connection and the switch controller, the PoE detector configured to detect a predetermined change in power supplied to the upstream network path cable connection and to provide a switch signal to the switch controller in response thereto. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The connector of claim 2, further comprising a PoE controller configured to supply PoE power to the downstream network path cable connection. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The connector of claim 3, wherein the PoE controller is configured to receive power through a pair of the pairs of leads. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The connector of claim 3, wherein the PoE controller is configured to receive power from a power supply other than through the upstream network path cable connection. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein the broadcast controller is configured to transmit the broadcast signal until after a response to the broadcast signal is received by the connector, and the switch controller is configured to connect the upstream network path cable connection and the downstream network path cable connection after the response is received by the connector. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The connector of claim 6, wherein the connector is configured to receive the response through a pair of the pairs of leads. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein a plurality of switches are connected between the upstream network path cable connection and the broadcast controller, each switch connected to a unique pair of the pairs of leads. ### Claim 9 A network system comprising: a patch panel; a wall plate connected to the patch panel via a patch cord; and a network device, wherein the network device, the patch panel, and wall plate are connected in a network, and wherein at least one of the patch panel, the wall plate, or the network device contains a connector that includes: an upstream network path cable connection having a plurality of pairs of leads; a downstream network path cable connection; a broadcast controller connectable to the upstream network path cable connection, the broadcast controller configured to transmit a broadcast signal from the upstream network path cable connection; a switch configured to connect the upstream network path cable connection and one of: the downstream network path cable connection, or the broadcast controller; a switch controller that controls the switch; and a detector connected with the upstream network path cable connection and the switch controller, the detector configured to detect a predetermined change in an Ethernet signal at the upstream network oath cable connection and to provide a switch signal to the switch controller in response thereto. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the detector comprises a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) detector connected with the upstream network path cable connection and the switch controller, the PoE detector configured to detect a predetermined change in power supplied to the upstream network path cable connection and to provide a switch signal to the switch controller in response thereto. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the connector further comprises a PoE controller configured to supply PoE power to the downstream network path cable connection. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, further comprising a motherboard connected to the connector, the connector further comprising a PoE controller configured to receive power from a power supply on the motherboard. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the connector further comprises a PoE controller configured to receive power from a pair of the pairs of leads. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, further comprising a motherboard connected with the connector, the motherboard including a memory that contains a unique identifier associated with the connector, the broadcast controller configured to receive the unique identifier and incorporate the unique identifier into the broadcast signal. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, further comprising at least one of a network management system (NMS) or a revision management system (RMS), the at least one of the NMS or the RMS configured to receive the broadcast signal and to provide a response thereto, wherein the switch controller is configured to connect the upstream network path cable connection and the downstream network path cable connection after the response is received by the connector. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, further comprising a motherboard connected to the connector, the motherboard comprising a network interface connected with the at least one of the NMS or the RMS via a network connection other than the upstream network path cable connection, the network interface connected with the switch controller and configured to control the switch controller as a result of the network interface receiving the response via the network connection. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the connector is configured to receive the response through a pair of the pairs of leads. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein a plurality of switches are connected between the upstream network path cable connection and the broadcast controller, each switch connected to a unique pair of the pairs of leads.