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A network device includes optical modules with both electrical and optical connections facing an end of the optical module configured to be plugged into the network device. The optical modules may extend through a faceplate of the network device or may be retained behind the faceplate. Utilizing opt

A network device includes optical modules with both electrical and optical connections facing an end of the optical module configured to be plugged into the network device. The optical modules may extend through a faceplate of the network device or may be retained behind the faceplate. Utilizing optical modules with both electrical and optical connections facing one end of the optical module enables optical fiber management may take place within the network device and independent of the electrical connections. This facilitates replacement of non-functional or obsolete optical modules. The optical modules may be parallel to or approximately parallel to the connector plane when connected to the connector plane.

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1. A network device, comprising:an optical module having a first optical connector configured to face a first end of the optical module, and a first electrical connector configured to face the first end of the optical module;a connector plane having at least a second electrical connector configured

1. A network device, comprising:an optical module having a first optical connector configured to face a first end of the optical module, and a first electrical connector configured to face the first end of the optical module;a connector plane having at least a second electrical connector configured to engage with the first electrical connector;a second optical connector configured to engage with the first optical connector; anda face plate, and wherein the network device is configured such that the optical module is behind the face plate upon engaging with the second electrical connector. 2. The network device of claim 1, wherein the second electrical connector is in electrical communication with electrical traces formed on the connector plane. 3. The network device of claim 1, wherein the second optical connector is not connected to the connector plane. 4. The network device of claim 1, wherein the second optical connector is connectable to the second electrical connector prior to engagement of the first electrical connector with the second electrical connector. 5. The network device of claim 4, wherein the first and second optical connectors are configured to engage at approximately the same time the first and second electrical connectors engage. 6. The network device of claim 1, further comprising an optical cable configured to be connected to the second optical connector, and wherein the optical cable is maintained behind the face plate. 7. The network device of claim 6, wherein the first optical connector and the second optical connector engage behind the face plate. 8. The network device of claim 1, wherein the optical module is configured to be mounted parallel to the connector plane. 9. A method of interconnecting an optical module and a network device, said optical module having a first end and a second end, a first optical connector configured to face the first end and a first electrical connector configured to face the first end, the method comprising the steps of:inserting the optical module into a network device;forming an electrical connection between the optical module and the network device; andforming an optical connection between the optical module and the network device;wherein the optical connection and the electrical connection take place behind a face plate of the network device. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the electrical connection is formed between the first electrical connector on the optical module and a second electrical connector in the network device; and wherein the optical connection is formed between the first optical connector on the optical module and a second optical connector in the network device. 11. A network device, comprising:an optical module having a first optical connector configure to face a first end of the optical module, and a first electrical connector configured to face the first end of the optical module;a connector plane having at least a second electrical connector configured to engage with the first electrical connector;a second optical connector configured to engage with the first optical connector; anda face plate, and wherein the network device is configured such that the optical module extends through an aperture in the face plate upon engaging with the second electrical connector. 12. The network device of claim 11, wherein the second electrical connector is in electrical communication with electrical traces formed on the connector plane. 13. The network device of claim 11, wherein the second optical connector is not connected to the connector plane. 14. The network device of claim 11, wherein the second optical connector is connectable to the second electrical connector prior to engagement of the first electrical connector with the second electrical connector. 15. The network device of claim 14, wherein the first and second optical connectors are configured to engage at approximately the same time the first and second electrical connectors engage. 16. The netw ork device of claim 11, further comprising an optical cable configured to be connected to the second optical connector, and wherein the optical cable is maintained behind the face plate. 17. The network device of claim 16, wherein the first optical connector and the second optical connector engage behind the face plate. 18. The network device of claim 11, wherein the optical module is configured to be mounted parallel to the connector plane. 19. A method of interconnecting an optical module and a network device, said optical module having a first end and a second end, a first optical connector configured to face the first end and a first electrical connector configured to face the first end, the method comprising the steps of:inserting the optical module into a network device;forming an electrical connection between the optical module and the network device; andforming an optical connection between the optical module and the network device;wherein the step of inserting the optical module takes place through an aperture in the face plate, and wherein the steps of forming an electrical connection and forming an optical connection take place during the step of inserting the optical module. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the electrical connection is formed between the first electrical connector on the optical module and a second electrical connector in the network device; and wherein the optical connection is formed between the first optical connector on the optical module and a second optical connector in the network device. 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the steps of forming an electrical connection and forming an optical connection take place without obtaining additional access to optical and electrical connectors within the network device.