OPTICAL BACKPLANE EXTENSION MODULES, AND RELATED ASSEMBLIES SUITABLE FOR ESTABLISHING OPTICAL CONNECTIONS TO INFORMATION PROCESSING MODULES DISPOSED IN EQUIPMENT RACKS

摘要

Optical backplane extension modules (28) and related assemblies suitable for establishing optical connections to information processing modules (24) disposed in equipment racks are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical backplane extension module is provided. The optical backplane extension module comprises an extension module housing (35) comprising an interior space (34) defined by a base, a left side disposed on a left end of the base, a right side disposed on a right end of the base opposite the left end, and a rear side disposed on a rear end of the base. A plurality of backplane fiber optic connectors (36) are disposed through the rear side of the extension module housing and accessible through an exterior side of the rear side. The plurality of backplane fiber optic connectors (36) configured to be directly optically connected to a plurality of blade fiber optic connectors (46) disposed in a plurality of information processing modules disposed in a rack module housing.