METHODS, SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR USING TIME DOMAIN REFLECTOMETRY SIGNATURES TO MONITOR NETWORK COMMUNICATION LINES

Methods, systems and computer program products for uniquely identifying communication lines in a network via time domain reflectometry (TDR) signatures are provided. A pulsed signal is sent into a communication line through a patch panel connector port and a reflection of the pulsed signal through the patch panel connector port is received to obtain a TDR signature for each communication line. The pulsed signal is sent and received by a controller operatively associated with the patch panel and/or by a network switch in communication with the patch panel. Connection changes and/or communication line faults at a network patch panel are detected by comparing current and stored TDR signatures.