1–1
1
Overview
The SYSTIMAX iPatch System is designed to help customers provide and maintain
building patch connections used to deliver telecommunications and data services.
In a standard configuration, the system includes System Manager software, one
iPatch Manager on each rack that has iPatch Panels, and iPatch Panels and Fiber
Shelves on each rack.
The features of the iPatch System include the ability to:
trace, indicate, and monitor existing patch connections at iPatch equipment
guide technicians performing patch connections at iPatch equipment
track patching changes at iPatch equipment
provide detailed information to technicians about a job or patch connection
when requested
alert technicians and the voice and data network administrator to conditions that
might require attention.
iPatch System Components
There are three main components in the iPatch System, described in the
subsections below:
iPatch Panel
iPatch Manager
iPatch System Manager Software.
There are now two types of iPatch Managers—a Rack Manager Plus and a Panel
Manager. In addition to supervising the rack, the Rack Manager Plus or Panel
Manager with a Network Manager module installed can be
configured to supervise
the equipment room and communicate directly with System Manager. Both the
Rack Manager Plus and Panel Manager can be integrated into an existing iPatch
System with Network Managers and Rack Managers.
To use a Rack Manager Plus or Panel Manager in an existing iPatch System with
Network Managers or Rack Managers, these older units must be running a software
version dated April 2003 or later. The System Manager software, used to manage
the system, must be Version 4.3 or later for Rack Manager Plus, Version 6.1 or later
for Panel Manager, and Version 6.3 or later for the Network Manager module. We
recommend that you upgrade the System Manager software to the latest version
before you install the iPatch Manager. System Manager will automatically upgrade
the software for Rack Manager Plus units and Panel Manager units. A special utility
is required to update the software for Network Manager modules. To obtain the
latest version of software, contact your SYSTIMAX Solutions local account
representative.
Note:
The term “iPatch Panels” is used throughout this guide to refer to iPatch
Panels with RJ-45 connectors and to iPatch Fiber Shelves with faceplates or
modules containing fiber connectors. The term “iPatch Manager” is used to refer
collectively to both Panel Manager and Rack Manager Plus units.
