Disclosed is an apparatus and method for managing and storing excess
amounts of fiber-optic cable in a telecom rack. According to one
embodiment, the apparatus comprises a fiber-optic cable slack take-up
device attached to an arm. The arm is mounted to a supporting member
attached to a side of the telecom rack and movable from a first stored
position to a second deployed position. Access to the fiber-slack take-up
device is provided by situating the arm in the second position. Situating
the arm in the stored position places the slack take-up assembly, along
with the excess fiber-optic cable, out of the way of operators working in
the equipment aisle. Further embodiments provide means for safe-guarding
the minimum bend radius of fiber-optic cable being used. The apparatus
and method are useful for overcoming the space requirements of in-rack
fiber storage systems known in the art.