Patent Publication Number: US-10320109-B2

Title: Cable terminator

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a network cable terminator for attaching a network cable at a port on a network device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Telecommunications networks include a variety of computing devices for providing various services. For example, servers, routers, switches and various associated components, such as networking cables, are used for operating networks. Data centers, which are dedicated to housing networking and computing devices and associated components have been constructed to serve computing and telecommunication various networks and Internet as a whole. 
     Networking, telecommunications and computing devices (collectively “network devices”) are generally mounted in racks in data centers, with each rack housing up to dozens of network devices. Each network device may in turn have multiple network connections. Thus, each rack may have large numbers of network cables running to/from the rack. A rack unit, referred to as a U or RU, is a standard unit of measure that describes the height of network devices. Generally speaking, a standard 19 inch rack has 42 U of device space. A 1 U switch may have upwards of 48 ports for connecting Ethernet, fiber optic, or other networking cables. A standard 19″ rack filled with 48 port 1U switches may have up to 2016 ports and 2016 cables running to it. As the number of cables running through a data center increase, the importance of cable management also increases. 
     When installing new racks in a data center, cables are often run to racks before the networking devices have been installed or are fully operational. In many cases, network cables can only be installed once the network device is operating. Networked devices often include ports for connecting hot-pluggable transceivers for network communications. The transceivers plug into a port on the network device, receive a network cable, and allow for network communications. Small form-factor pluggable (SFP) devices are compact transceivers that are commonly used in data and telecommunications. SFPs interface with the motherboard of a network device and either a fiber optic or copper networking cable (i.e. Ethernet cables). Common SFP transceivers support Synchronous Optical Networking (SONET), Ethernet, and Fibre Channel. Additional transceiver standards include enhanced small form-factor pluggable (SFP+), 10 gigabit small form factor pluggable (XFP), Quad small form-factor pluggable (QSFP), and gigabit interface converter (GBIC). The different transceivers generally have different physical dimensions and a port on a network device doesn&#39;t necessarily accept all of the standards. In some cases, the network device&#39;s transceivers have not yet been installed, but the cables that will eventually be connected to the transceivers have already been run to the rack. 
     When network cables cannot be attached to their designated port, the cables are often hung on the server rack or coiled onto the floor. When it&#39;s time to install the cables, the installer often must deal with a multiple unattached cables and determine where the cables should be installed. It is with these and other issues in mind that various aspects of the present disclosure were developed. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect, a cable terminator is provided for securing networking or other cables at locations on network devices in substantial proximity to where the cables will ultimately be connected to a network device. The cable terminator securely connects to an open port on the network device and accepts and securely holds a terminated network cable, such as a LC terminated fiber optic cable or RJ45 Ethernet cable. The open port may include an open transceiver slot or an open port on the transceiver. The cable terminator may also include tapered sides that allow the cable terminator to be placed in different sized transceiver ports. The cable terminator may be configured to not only hold the cable at the appropriate port, but to also block dust and/or debris from entering the port and generally protecting the port and cable termination from damage. 
     The cable terminator includes an insert portion configured to be inserted into a port on a network device. The cable terminator is secured at the port by friction between the insert portion and the port. The cable terminator also includes a receiving portion with a socket. The socket is configured to receive and secure the terminal of a network cable. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Aspects of the present disclosure may be better understood and its numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the present disclosure and, therefore, are not to be considered limiting in scope. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a networked device, a cable terminator, and an LC terminated fiber optic cable. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a networked device, an installed cable terminator, and an LC terminated fiber optic cable. 
         FIG. 3  depicts an internal view of a cable terminator. 
         FIG. 4  depicts an end view of a cable terminator. 
         FIG. 5  depicts an alternative embodiment of a cable terminator. 
         FIG. 6  depicts an installed alternative embodiment of a cable terminator 
         FIG. 7  depicts a network device, a SFP transceiver, a cable terminator, and an LC terminated fiber optic cable. 
         FIG. 8  depicts an alternative embodiment of a cable terminator. 
         FIG. 9  depicts an alternative embodiment of a cable terminator. 
         FIG. 10  depicts a universal cable terminator and a network device with a small port size. 
         FIG. 11  depicts a universal cable terminator and a network device with a large port size. 
         FIG. 12  depicts a networked device, an Ethernet cable terminator, and a RJ45 terminated Ethernet cable. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Implementations of the present disclosure involve a cable terminator used to aid in the management of cables, often fiber, within a computing environment like a data center. The cable terminator is configured to attach to a network device port or transceiver occupying a port and providing a terminal or terminals for connecting a network cable. The cable terminator allows for cables to be connected at a port without having an operating connection between the cable and the network device. The cable terminator also functions as a dust and debris cap for the network device port and for network cables. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a cable terminator  110  prior to being installed is depicted. In this example, a network device  100  includes three ports  102 ,  104 ,  106  for receiving and connecting transceivers (not depicted). The network device  100  may include any type of network enabled device. For example, the network device  100  may be a server, a switch, a network attached storage (NAS), a router, telecommunications equipment, or any other device to which the cable may be connected. In some cases, the network device  100  may also be configured with built-in ports for accepting specific networking connections such as LC-type fiber optic connections or RJ45 copper based Ethernet connections. 
     The ports  102 - 106  are sized according to a standard transceiver size. For example, the ports  102 - 106  may be configured to receive SFP transceivers for fiber optic, Ethernet, or other network communications. The ports  102 - 106  generally include an opening in the case of the network device with a motherboard connection for providing an interface between the transceiver and the network device  100 . Generally, the motherboard connection is located towards the back of the port  102 - 106 , inside of the network device  100 . 
     The cable terminator  110  has a body that is divided into an insert portion  112  and a receiving portion  114 . The cable terminator  110  is configured to fit into an open port  102 - 106  and provide a socket  116 ,  118  for attaching a network cable  120 . The cable terminator  110  may also effectively function as a dust cap for the ports  102 - 106  or a transceiver installed in one of the ports  102 - 106 , as well as the end of the network cable  120 . The cable terminator  110  may attach to the port  102 , by being inserted into the port. The body of the cable terminator  110  includes an insert portion  112  that is configured to fit into the port  102 - 106 , and a receiving portion  114  that protrudes from the network device  100  and includes at least one socket  116 ,  118  for terminating a network cable  120 . 
     The insert portion  112  is shaped to allow for the cable terminator  110  to be fitted to an open port  102 - 106  on the network device  100 . The insert portion  112  is configured to be placed into a port  102 - 106  and may be secured by friction and/or an attachment mechanism such as springs, clips, tangs, or other attachment devices for securing the cable terminator  110  at the port  102 - 106 . In alternate embodiments described below, the cable terminator  110  is configured to be inserted into a transceiver that has been installed in a port. 
     The receiving portion  114  of the cable terminator  110  is shaped includes at least one socket  116 ,  118  for securing a network cable  120  to the cable terminator  110 . The socket  116 ,  118  mirrors the configuration of a functioning terminal for the network cable  120 . For example, the cable terminator  110  may include two sockets  116 ,  118  that are configured to receive LC-type fiber optic connectors. As such, the sockets  116 ,  118  are configured to mirror a traditional LC-type fiber optic connector port as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  and discussed below. 
     In this example, the network cable  120  has a LC-type fiber optic connector  122 . The network cable  120  includes an LC-type fiber optic connector  122  that has a generally rectangular shape and a retaining tab  124  located at the top of the fiber optic connector  122 . In other examples, the network cable  120  may be terminated using another type of termination. For example, the network cable  120  may be terminated using a St, SC, FC, MT-RJ, or any other type of fiber optic connector. In other instances, the network cable may include a copper-based network cable such as an Ethernet cable. An embodiment of a cable terminator configured to interface with RJ45 Ethernet cable connectors is described below with reference to  FIG. 12 . In the case of a different type of connector, the sockets  116 ,  118  may be modified or replaced with a corresponding receiver for the connector being used. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an installed cable terminator  110  is depicted, with a fiber  120  terminated at the terminator  110 . In this example, the insert portion  112  has been inserted into the previously empty port  102 . The insert portion  112  may be constructed to substantially mimic a standard transceiver so that it may be inserted into the port  102 . Thus, the insert portion  112  has a general rectangular prism shape. In another embodiment, discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the insert portion  112  may be configured with a clipping mechanism that is fit into the port  102 . The insert portion  112  may also be constructed of pliable and/or compressible materials, such as rubber or plastic. The insert portion  112  of the cable terminator  110  may fit snugly in into the port  102 . In some cases, the cable terminator  110  may be constructed with a pliable material that may be may be flexed, stretched, or compressed to fit into the port  102 , resulting in a secure fit. 
     In addition to the cable terminator  110  being installed into the port  102 , the LC-type fiber optic connector  122  of the network cable  120  has been inserted in to the receiving portion  114 . The LC-type fiber optic connector  112  includes a retaining tab  124  that snaps into corresponding slot in the socket  116 , securing the LC-type fiber optic connector  122  to the socket  116 . The network cable  120  is fixed to the cable terminator  110  unless pressure is applied to the retaining tab  124 . Once pressure is applied to the retaining tab  124 , the LC-type fiber optic connector  122  may be removed from cable terminator. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3  a side section of a cable terminator  200  is depicted. The cable terminator  200  has dimensions that are similar to a standard transceiver. For example, a standard SFP transceiver has a height of 8.5 mm, width of 13.4 mm, and a length of 56.5 mm. A standard XFP transceiver, on the other hand, has a height of 8.5 mm, width of 18.35 mm, and a length of 78.0 mm. Thus, the width and height of the cable terminator  200  may be varied to be equivalent to a transceiver standard being used on a network device. In some cases, the depth of the cable terminator  200  may be shorter than the standard transceiver depth. For example, a standard SFP transceiver has a depth of 56.5 mm, but the cable terminator  200  may be shorter, but long enough for the cable terminator  200  to be securely attached at the port. 
     The receiving portion  114  of the cable terminator  200  may have different dimensions than the insert portion  112 . For example, the receiving portion  114  may have a greater height and/or width than the insert portion  112 . The differing sizes between the insert and receiving portions forms ridges  210 ,  215 . The ridges  210 ,  215  prevent the cable terminator  200  from being inserted too far into an open port and may help insure that the cable terminator  200  does not interfere with functional elements operating in the port. 
     The cable terminator  200  also includes one or more cutouts  220  to prevent the cable terminator  200  from coming in contact with functional elements located inside of a port. Functional elements may include electrical, optical, and/or mechanical components located inside the port. For example, as discussed above, ports generally include a connector to a motherboard or other component of the network device  100 . The cable terminator  200  may include cutouts for accommodating the connector, but not forming any functional electrical connection to the connector since the cable terminator  200  is not required to connect to an electrical circuit of the network device. In one implementation, the cable terminator  200  may include circuitry and an electrical connection configured to indicate the cable terminator&#39;s model and connection type and may be provisionable with fiber type and end fiber location. 
     The cable terminator  200  also includes a socket  225  for housing the terminal of a network cable. The socket  225  is shaped according to the type of connector being used and includes any grooves, notches or cutouts used by a conventional terminal for receiving the connector. In this example, the socket  225  is configured to accept a LC-type fiber optic connector  122 , and includes space for the LC-type fiber optic connector and therefore includes a notch or notches for accommodating the LC-type fiber optic connector. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , an end view of the cable terminator  200  is depicted. From this perspective, the general shape of the socket  225  is shown. As discussed above, the depicted cable terminator  200  is configured to connect to an LC-type fiber optic connector. Thus, the cable terminator has cutouts  250 ,  255 ,  260 ,  265  to allow for a LC-type fiber optic connector to be inserted and secured. The cable terminator  200  also includes a fiber optic cutout  270  for fiber optic cable protruding from the network cable. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , an alternative embodiment of a cable terminator  300  is depicted. The cable terminator  300  includes a clipping insert portion  310  that securely attaches the cable terminator  300  to the port  102 . The clipping insert portion  310  is generally rectangular in shape and sized to fit into an open port with no transceiver installed. The clipping inner portion includes at least one angled tang  320 ,  322 ,  324 . The tangs  320 ,  322 ,  324  featured an angled edge that varies in height along the length of the tang. The tip of each tang is configured with a smaller height so that the tang easily fits in the port  102 . The height of the tang increases along the length of the tang, until the reaching a maximum height  321 ,  323 ,  325  that results in the overall dimensions of the clipping insert portion  310  to be larger than the height and/or the width of the port  102 . The height of the tang then decreases until the end of the clipping insert portion  310 . In operation, the tangs  320 ,  322 ,  324  are somewhat flexible, and when the clipping insert portion  310  is pushed into the open port  102 , the angled tangs  320  are deflected inwards and then substantially return to their original position as the tang height is decreased, forming an interference fit. The depicted cable terminator  300  includes four tangs  320 ,  322 ,  324  arranged in a rectangular pattern. It should be understood that the positioning and dimensions of the tangs may be modified for use with various port sizes. Furthermore, not all tangs need to be angled to achieve the described interference fit. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a network device  100  with an installed transceiver  400  is depicted. In an alternative embodiment, the cable terminator  410  is configured to be inserted into a transceiver port  402 ,  404  instead of into a network device port  102 - 106 . In this embodiment, the receiving portion includes sockets  416 ,  418  for receiving a conventionally terminated network cable similar to the above described sockets. In this example, the cable terminator  410  has been modified to interface with the transceiver  400  by having an insert portion  412  that defines a rectangular prism shaped member that is sized and shaped similar to a conventional cable connector  422 . Thus, the insert portion  412  may be inserted into the transceiver port  402 ,  404 . In many cases, the insert portion  412  is not an exact replica of the type of connector used by the cable  420 . For example, the insert portion  412  may not necessarily include the retaining clip  424  that is included in the connector  422 . The insert portion  412  is generally similar enough to the connector  422  to be inserted and secured in the cable terminator  410 . Furthermore, the cable terminator  410  may also constructed using a pliable material that allow for the insert portion  412  to be snugly inserted into the transceiver port  402 ,  404 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , alternative embodiments of cable terminators configured to be fit into LC-type fiber optic transceivers are depicted. The first cable terminator  500  has an insert portion  512  that more closely mimics an LC-type fiber optic connector and may be inserted into a LC-type fiber optic transceiver. The second cable terminator  600  has an insert portion  612  that is generally cylindrical in shape and may also be inserted into a LC-type fiber optic transceiver. In either case, the insert portions  512 ,  612  are able to secure the cable terminators  500 ,  600  to the transceiver. Both the first and the second cable terminators  500 ,  600  may include openings at the ends of the insert portion to accommodate a functional element of a transceiver. For example, the openings may be cylindrically shaped and configured to wrap around an optical connection inside of an LC-type fiber optic transceiver. The shape of the receiving portion  514 ,  614  may be modified to be any shape that still allows for the inclusion of the sockets  416 ,  418 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a universal cable terminator  700  is depicted. As discussed above, a network device has ports that are sized according to the transceiver standards being utilized by a network device. The universal cable terminator  700  is configured with at least one tapered side so that it may be inserted into ports with varying dimensions.  FIG. 10  includes a first port  730  with a first width  732 .  FIG. 11  includes a second port  740  with a second width  742  that is wider than the first width  732 . The insert portion  710  starts with a smaller end and expands in width as defined by two tapered sides. The tapered sides of the universal cable terminator  700  continuously expand as they reach the receiving portion  720 . 
     The universal cable terminator  700  may be inserted into variously sized open ports by engaging the port sides along the tapered sides. Depending on the port dimensions, the depth that the universal cable terminator  700  is inserted into the port varies. For example,  FIG. 10  includes the first port  730  having a relatively small first a relatively small first width  732 . The universal cable terminator  700  may be inserted into the port  730  until the tapered sides engage the port  730 . The result is the universal cable terminator  700  is inserted a first depth  734  into the port  730 . In  FIG. 11 , the second port  740  has a relatively wide port having the second width  742 . The universal cable terminator  700  is also secured by the tapered sides engaging the port  740 . In this case, the universal cable terminator  740  has been inserted a second depth  744  into the port  740 . 
     In one possible example, the tapering of the sides may be selected according to the dimensions of two or more transceiver standards. For example, a standard SFP transceiver is 8.5 mm×13.4 mm×56.5 mm, and a depth of 56.5 mm, while a standard XFP transceiver is 8.5 mm×18.35 mm×78.0 mm. To accommodate fitting into both of these standards, the universal cable terminator may have a height of 8.5 mm, but the width may start at less than 13.4 mm and expand to 18.35 mm. The length of the universal cable terminator is less than 78.0 mm. Thus, the universal cable terminator may be inserted into both SFP and XFP transceiver ports. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , an Ethernet cable terminator  810  configured to interface with RJ45 Ethernet-type connector is depicted. The cable terminator may be modified to interface with any type of cable or cable terminal. In this example, the network device  800  has multiple Ethernet connections  802 ,  804 ,  806 . The Ethernet connections  802 - 806  may be permanent connections on the network device  800 , transceivers that are occupying transceiver ports on the network device  800 , or empty transceiver ports on the network device  800 . The Ethernet cable terminator  810  includes an insert portion  812  that is configured to interface with an RJ45 Ethernet-type socket. Likewise, the receiving portion  814  has been modified with a socket  816  configured to operate similar to a RJ45 Ethernet-type socket and accept and secure an Ethernet cable. Similar to the above described cable terminators, the Ethernet cable terminator  810  may be inserted into the RJ45 port  802 - 806  on the network device  800  that the network cable  820  will eventually be connected to. The RJ45-type connector of the Ethernet cable  820  is then inserted into socket  816 . 
     The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the cable terminator. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems, arrangements and methods which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the described apparatus and are thus within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. From the above description and drawings, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the particular embodiments shown and described are for purposes of illustrations only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. References to details of particular embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.