Patent ID: 7479032

Claim:
A method of upgrading a telecommunications patch panel, the method including the steps of: a) providing a patch panel assembly mounted to a frame; the assembly including: i) a panel base having a front and a rear; ii) a plurality of jacks positioned within openings defined by the panel base; iii) a first cover attached to the front of the panel base, the cover including jack openings to provide access to the jacks; and iv) a plurality of first jack plugs plugged into the jacks; and b) upgrading the patch panel assembly while the patch panel assembly remains mounted to the frame, the step of upgrading including: i) unplugging the first jack plugs from the jacks; ii) removing the first cover from the front of the panel base; iii) inserting an interface cable through an existing aperture formed in the panel base; iv) attaching an upgraded cover to the front of the panel base, the upgraded cover including jack openings to provide access to the jacks; and v) plugging upgraded jack plugs into the jacks of the patch panel assembly.