Access point port security system and locking plug apparatus
Access point network equipment has communication ports that allow communications with other network components. Open ports can be accessed to the network by unauthorized devices creating a security breach. Filling the open ports with locking plugs can create a physical barrier preventing unauthorized connections to the access point network equipment. Two or more pairs of conductors in the locking plugs can be electrically coupled so that link down events can be detected by tamper detection software running on the access point network equipment. When a link down events is detected the tamper detection software can perform various possible security actions to protect the network.
1 . A connector plug comprising:
a connector body adapted to fit within the connector port of a network access point equipment;
a latch coupled to the connector body for securing the connector plug in the connector port;
a bore in the connector plug body extending axially from a rear portion of the connector plug body to a middle portion of the connector plug body;
a bore slot adjacent to the bore extending axially from the rear portion of the connector plug body to the middle portion of the connector plug body;
a hole that extends through the connector plug body from the bore slot through an upper surface of the connector plug body under the latch; and
a locking member comprising:
an axial member;
a radial member coupled to a side surface of the axial member wherein an outer edge of the radial member is an angled surface that is not parallel with the axial member; and
a driving feature on a rear portion of the axial member.
2 . The connector plug of claim 1 wherein the axial member and the driving feature are within the bore and the locking member has a locked position where the radial member extends through the bore slot in the connector body to a position above the upper surface of the connector body to prevent the latch from moving towards the connector body and an unlocked position where the first radial member is retracted into the connector body and the first radial member does not prevent the latch from moving towards the upper surface of the connector plug body.
3 . The connector plug of claim 1 further comprising:
a key slot adjacent to and along a length of the bore wherein a thickness of a key member is less than the width of the key slot.
4 . The connector plug of claim 1 further comprising:
a plurality of conductive connectors at an inserted portion of the connector plug body;
wherein two or more of the plurality of conductive connectors are electrically coupled to each other.
5 . A connector plug comprising:
a connector body adapted to fit within the connector port of a network access point equipment;
a latch coupled to the connector body for securing the connector plug in the connector port;
a bore in the connector plug body extending axially from a rear portion of the connector plug body to a middle portion of the connector plug body;
a first slot that extends through the connector plug body from the bore through an upper surface of the connector plug body under the latch;
a second slot that extends through the connector plug body from the bore through the upper surface of the connector plug body under the latch; and
a locking member comprising:
an axial member;
a first radial member coupled to a side surface of the axial member;
a second radial member coupled to the side surface of the axial member; and
a driving feature on a rear portion of the axial member.
6 . The connector plug of claim 5 wherein the axial member and the driving feature are within the bore and the locking member has a locked position where the first radial member extends through the first slot in the connector body to a position above the upper surface of the connector body to prevent the latch from moving towards the connector body and an unlocked position where the first radial member is retracted into the connector body and the first radial member does not prevent the latch from the moving towards the upper surface of the connector plug body.
7 . The connector plug of claim 5 further comprising:
a tool having a driving end that corresponds to the driving feature, wherein the elongated tool is used to rotate the locking member between the locked position and the unlocked position.
8 . The connector plug of claim 5 wherein in the locked position a portion of the second radial member extends through the second slot in the connector body to a position above the upper surface of the connector body to prevent the latch from moving towards the connector body and in the unlocked position the second radial member is retracted into the connector body and does not prevent the latch from moving towards the upper surface of the connector plug body.
9 . The connector plug of claim 5 further comprising:
a plurality of conductive connectors at an inserted portion of the connector plug body;
wherein a first pair of the plurality of conductive connectors are electrically coupled to each other.
10 . The connector plug of claim 9 wherein a second pair of the plurality of conductive connectors are electrically coupled to each other.