Hot pluggable adapter for legacy power supply connectors
View Patent ↗An adapter for use with existing network tap modules to be received by a housing that supports hot-pluggable modules. The adapter allows an existing network tap module to connect to a power supply connector and power supply included with a housing for network tap modules. The housing allows the user to maintain all network taps in any given system in one housing and location. This increases the ease of maintaining multiple network taps and allows the network tap modules to be powered by a power supply included with the housing. The adapter allows use of the housing with existing network tap modules, eliminating any need to replace existing modules in order to use the housing.
1. A hot-pluggable adapter to be used with a network tap module comprising:
an adapter block; and
a first power connector configured to connect to a power jack of a network tap module; and
a second power connector configured to connect to a power supply connector of a housing for a plurality of network tap modules, wherein the first and second power connectors are electrically connected so as to allow power to flow from a housing power supply through a power supply connector, through the second power connector, the first power connector, and into a network tap module.
2. A hot-pluggable adapter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the adapter block is a machined plastic part.
3. A hot-pluggable adapter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first and second power connectors comprise a barrel style plug adapter which is inserted into a hole of the adapter block.
4. A hot-pluggable adapter as recited in claim 3 , further comprising a guide pin.
5. A hot-pluggable adapter as recited in claim 3 , further comprising a screw for attaching the adapter to a network tap module.
6. A housing for receiving hot-pluggable network tap modules comprising:
a chassis for receiving a plurality of network tap modules;
a power supply for providing power to a plurality of power supply connectors, wherein each power supply connector is capable of providing power to a received network tap module;
a first network tap module received in the chassis, the first network tap module being connected directly to a corresponding one of the plurality of power supply connectors; and
a second network tap module received in the chassis, the second network tap having a length that is shorter than a length of the first network tap module, the second network tap module being connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of power supply connectors using an adapter that compensates for the shorter length of the second network tap module.
7. A housing as recited in claim 6 , wherein the adapter comprises:
an adapter block; and
a first power connector connected to a power jack of the second network tap module; and
a second power connector that is connected to the power supply connector of the housing that corresponds to the second network tap.
8. A housing as recited in claim 7 , wherein the first and second power connectors are electrically connected so as to allow power to flow from the housing power supply through the power supply connector, through the second power connector, the first power connector, and into the second network tap module.