Patent ID: 8181229

Claim:
A method of operating a communications system, wherein the communications system includes a plurality of patch panels having a plurality of connector ports connected to individual communication channels, a switch that provides access to multiple networks via one or more switch ports, a system manager that controls interconnections between the patch panels and the switch, and a plurality of patch cords configured to selectively interconnect patch panel and switch connector ports, the method comprising: receiving a request at the system manager to connect an individual communication channel to a specific network; issuing a work order that identifies which patch panel and switch connector ports are required to be patched together via a patch cord in order to establish a circuit to the requested network; enabling a switch port to activate the circuit in response to verifying that the issued work order has been implemented; monitoring connectivity of the circuit; detecting that connectivity of the circuit has changed; and parking the switch port in response to detecting that connectivity of the circuit changed.