Systems, equipment and methods for automatically tracking cable connections and for identifying work area devices and related methods of operating communications networks

摘要

Methods for collecting information regarding a remote connector port that is connected to a patch panel connector port by a communications cable that has at least one data communications channel and a separate control channel are provided in which a first conductor of the separate control channel of the communications cable is biased to power an integrated circuit chip that is associated with the remote connector port. A first signal is transmitted over the separate control channel of the communications cable to the integrated circuit chip associated with the remote connector port. A second signal is received from the integrated circuit chip over the separate control channel of the communications cable in response to the first signal. The second signal includes information regarding the remote connector port.