An optical device includes at least one optical fiber cable receiving area for receiving at least one optical fiber cable, the receiving area being sized to receive a covering for covering at least a portion of the transition area, and at least one optical fiber cable transition portion disposed at the receiving area, the optical fiber cable transition portion being responsive to and supporting the covering when pressure from the covering is applied to the transition area and the covering and said transition area together form a buffer zone associated with at least a portion of the cable receiving area. Methods include providing a multi-port optical connection terminal having a stub cable port; connecting a stub cable assembly including a stub cable to the stub cable port; and forming a sloped buffer zone between the stub cable port and the stub cable to relieve stress in the stub cable.