Patent attributes
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for detecting and reporting network mis-cabling. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a detection module, a comparison module, and a cabling connection module. The detection module is configured to detect a new connection at a network switch. The new connection is formed by physically connecting a network cable to the network switch, at one termination, and to another network device, at another termination. The comparison module is configured to compare the new connection to a connection rule, where the connection rule defines either a legal cabling connection or an illegal cabling connection. The cabling connection module is configured to control whether or not the new connection is inserted into the data network or maintained isolated from the data network. Certain implementations of the present invention beneficially allow a new network connection to be verified prior to logical insertion so that potential mis-routing of data and other mis-communications within the data network may be avoided.
