Guide:
SYSTIMAX
®
iPatch
®
Panel Manager Guide
1–2
iPatch Panel
The iPatch Panel is the heart of the iPatch System. It monitors the patch
connections made at the panel by sensing the insertion of the patch cord
connectors. When the system detects a patch cord being added to the network, it
records the connection in a database. This record lets you trace the connection by
pressing the button above one of the ports containing the patch cord. An LED
above each port turns on to indicate where the connection is made.
iPatch Manager
Each rack in the iPatch System has an iPatch Manager (Rack Manager Plus or
Panel Manager), which communicates with and manages the iPatch Panels in its
rack. The Rack Manager Plus and Panel Manager can support up to 40 1U iPatch
Panels.
The iPatch Manager maintains a database of the patch connections at the rack. It
responds to button presses and sensor changes at the iPatch Panels. By
monitoring button presses and sensor changes at its iPatch Panels, the iPatch
Manager
can logically infer when patch connections are added or deleted, and
update the database accordingly.
Each iPatch Manager has a display that lets you interact with the iPatch System.
Information provided on the display:
assists the technicians performing guided patching
alerts technicians to problems with the equipment
shows the results when a patch connection is traced
provides detailed information about a job or patch connection when requested.
The iPatch Manager units in an equipment room are connected by a Rack Manager
LAN. This connection lets each iPatch Manager
be aware of events throughout the
equipment room.
A Rack Manager Plus unit or a Panel Manager with a Network Manager module
installed also can provide the functionality formerly provided by the Network
Manager. These units
can be configured to connect a group of up to 99 iPatch
Manager units to an Ethernet network. This connection lets the iPatch System
Manager Software communicate with the iPatch Manager units. Therefore, at least
one Rack Manager Plus or one Panel Manager with a Network Manager module
must be installed in each equipment room.
System Manager Software
The iPatch System Manager Software lets the voice and data network administrator
manage the patch connections for a voice and data network from a personal
computer. The software documents the voice and data network between
faceplates, consolidation points, panels, and network equipment. Through the
software, the administrator can schedule change orders for people needing
additional services or moving offices, and track the fulfillment of the change orders.
The software also alerts the administrator to conditions such as unauthorized
changes to the voice and data network, the need to acquire additional equipment,
and work that was not performed as scheduled.
iPatch Manager Display and Menu
The Display, Buttons, and LEDs
Each iPatch Manager has a display, buttons, and LEDs that let you interact with the
iPatch System. There are two arrow buttons and four softkeys. The arrow buttons
let you navigate through the screens and increment numbers when entering data.
