Cisco Technology, Inc.

Nortel Networks Corporation

Richard Brooks

Geoffrey O Thompson

Maurilio Tazio De Nicolo

Steven B Carlson

Stephen S Ong

Qinghua Chen

Liming Yin

Various example embodiments are disclosed. According to one example embodiment, a small form factor pluggable (SFP or SFP+) module may include an equalizer and a logic controller. The equalizer may be configured to receive data, provide signal information to a logic controller based on the received data, equalize the data based on equalization instructions received from the logic controller, and transmit the equalized data. The logic controller may be configured to transmit the signal information received from the equalizer receive programming instructions provide the equalization instructions to the equalizer based on the programming instructions, receive control inputs associated with the data, and provide status outputs based on the control inputs and the programming instructions. The SFP or SFP+ module may be configured to plug into a small form factor (SFF) host connector.

Programmable SFP or SFP+ module

A protective cap and method therefor for preventing the build-up of electrostatic charges on network communications cables and also for protecting the cable ends and connectors from physical abuse. The protective cap comprises a socket housing for receiving a connector of a network communications cable that has a plurality of wire mediums, and a shorting electrical conductor to electrically connect together the wire mediums when the connector is received in the socket housing. The build-up of electrostatic charges on the cable wire mediums is prevented by the shorting electrical conductor electrically connecting the wire mediums together. The network communications cable is protected from physical abuse by the socket housing at least partially enclosing the cable connector. A network equipment connector is also disclosed that causes the discharge of electrostatic charges on a network cable as the cable is being mated with the equipment connector.

Devices for protecting network equipment from electrostatic discharge emanating from network cables

Growing community of inventors

Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Richard Brooks