Patent ID: 8848722
Filing Date: 2014-09-30
Classification: H01R,H05K

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for use in connecting electronic data processing devices to a data network, the apparatus comprising: a distribution strip having a longitudinal axis, said distribution strip's longitudinal axis mounted at least primarily along the vertical axis of said rack and extending exclusively or almost exclusively along the vertical height axis of a rack; a plurality of network ports, disposed on said distribution strip, for use in connecting said electronic data processing devices to said data network; said plurality of network ports including a first protocol gateway port, for connecting a first protocol device to a network device of said network, wherein said first protocol gateway port supports communication with said first protocol device using a first data communication protocol; and a protocol gateway, separate from said first protocol device and said network device, and connected to said protocol gateway port at least in part via an internal first communications pathway of said distribution strip, said protocol gateway further being connected via a second internal communications pathway of said distribution strip to a network output for connecting said distribution strip to said data network, said protocol gateway being configured to communicate a given message between said first protocol device and said gateway via said first protocol gateway port in accordance with said first data communication protocol, and communicate said given message between said network device and said protocol gateway in accordance with a second data communication protocol, said protocol gateway performing protocol translation between said first data communication protocol and said second data communication protocol wherein said first data communication protocol and said second data communication protocol are different protocols.