Patent ID: 8493864

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: a first port configured to connect to a first end of a cable to provide a communication link between (i) the first port, and (ii) a second port, wherein the second port is connected to a second end of the cable, and wherein the second port includes an indicator to indicate a state of the communication link; and a processor in communication with the first port, wherein the processor is configured to during a time that (i) the first end of the cable is connected to the first port, and (ii) the second end of the cable is connected to the second port, receive a command to identify the second port to which the second end of the cable is connected, and in response to the command, repeatedly change the state of the communication link at the first port in accordance with a pattern, and wherein the second port, to which the second end of the cable is connected is identifiable based on the indicator of the second port indicating the pattern in which the communication link at the first port is being repeatedly changed by the processor.