NTRODUCTION TO STRUCTURED CABLING

INTRODUCTION TO STRUCTURED CABLING - NETWORK CABLES

Article Index
INTRODUCTION TO STRUCTURED CABLING
STRUCRED CABLING STANDARDS
STRUCTURED CABLING SYSTEM DESIGN
NETWORK CABLES
All Pages

Many network administrators keep hearing that the network is down because of some or the other
reason. Various researches indicate that in many cases, the network is down on account of inferior
cabling systems. And installing standards-complaint structured cabling systems can eliminate much of
this downtime. Another important factor that needs to be taken into account is that the structured cabling
system, though it outlives most other networking components, represents just five percent of the total
network investment.
The structured cable is the only one that needs to be installed to contend with the needs of telephone and
data communications now and in the future. It is a system that provides a very "structured" approach to
the entire cabling system—a single-mixed media network that handles all information traffic like voice,
data, and video and even big complex building management systems. In brief, it could be described as a
system that comprises a set of transmission products, applied with engineering design rules that allow the
user to apply voice, data, and signals in a manner that maximizes data rates.
Structured cabling divides the entire infrastructure into manageable blocks and then attempts to integrate
these blocks to produce the high-performance networks that we have now come to rely on. To the user,
this means investment protection.
In addition to investment protection, structured cabling also provides administrative and management
capabilities. All cables originating from the different work locations are terminated on a passive
centralized cross-connect in the network room. Simple labeling and coloring mechanisms provide for easy
and quick identification of work outlets. Hence, it provides for a single point for all administrative and
management requirements. Another underlying factor is management of change. It must be realized that
system architectures keep changing as the system evolves. And the cabling architecture should be able
to change with minimal inconvenience. The provision of a central administrative panel provides the
flexibility to make additions, moves, and changes. The changes can be facilitated with simple switch over
of patch cords. Apart from this, structured cabling is also technology independent. The advantages of
structured cabling are:

The advantages of structured cabling are:

• Consistency – A structured cabling systems means the same cabling systems for Data, voice And video.
• Support for multi-vendor equipment – A standard-based cable system will support Applications and
hardware even with mix and match vendors.
• Simplify moves/adds/changes – Structured cabling systems can support any changes within The
systems.
• Simplify troubleshooting – With structured cabling systems, problems are less likely to down The entire
network, easier to isolate and easier to fix.
• Support for future applications – Structured cabling system supports future applications like Multimedia,
video conferencing etc with little or no upgrade pain.
Another primary advantage of structured cabling is fault isolation. By dividing the entire infrastructure into
simple manageable blocks, it is easy to test and isolate the specific points of fault and correct them with
minimal disturbance to the network. A structured approach in cabling helps reduce maintenance costs
too.

Structured Cabling standards

Network managers face a difficult challenge when fitting up a new corporate facility. They must ensure
that every possible employee location is accessible to the corporate LAN, but they must also ensure that
each of these locations can successfully work with a potentially broad range of new high speed LAN
technologies, since these technologies are rapidly gaining in importance and becoming cost effective.
The solution to these challenges lies in implementing a structured cabling system within a new facility.
Such a system must extend to every employee work area and must be able to support all of the existing
LAN technologies and all of the new and emerging high speed LAN technologies, since it is impossible to
predict where within a facility the highest capacity users will be at any time in the future.
The group, which sets standards for structured data wiring in the United States, is the
telecommunications Industry Association, or TIA. The TIA 568A standard defines multiple categories or
grading of structured wiring system performance, with the category 5 designation as the highest currently
standardized. The TIA 568A category 5 specifications are the basis to which many of the new high-speed
LAN technologies are targeted.

Highlights of the EIA/TIA-568A standards

Purpose
(a)To specify a generic voice and data telecommunications cabling systems that will support a multi
product, multi-vendor environment.
(a)To provide direction for the design of telecommunications equipment and cabling products Intended to
serve commercial enterprises
(a)To enable the planning and installation of a structured cabling system for commercial buildings that is
capable of supporting the diverse telecommunications needs of building occupants
(a)To establish performance and technical criteria for various types of cable and connecting hardware
and for cabling system design and installation
Scope
Specification are intended for telecommunications installations that are “Office oriented”
Requirements are for a structured cabling system with a usable life in excess of 10 years
Specification addressed:
(a) Recognized Media – cable and connecting hardware
(b) Performance
(c) Topology
(d) Cabling distances
(e) Installation Practice
(f) User interface
(g) Channel Performance
Cabling Elements
Horizontal cabling:
a) Horizontal Cross-connect (HC)
b) Horizontal Cable
c) Transition point (optional)
d) Consolidation Point (optional)
e) Telecommunications-Outlet (Connector (TO)
In addition to the 90 meters of horizontal cable, a total of 10 meters is allowed for work area and
telecommunications closet patch and jumper cables.
• Backbone Cabling:
a) Main Cross-connect (MC)
b) Inter building Backbone Cable
c) Intermediate Cross-connect (IC)
• Work Area (WA)
a) Telecommunications Closet (TS)
bEquipment Room (ER)
Entrance Facility (EF)
Administration**
** Although administration is addressed to a limited extent, the governing specification on
Telecommunications administration is ANSI/EIA/TIA-606.

Structured Cabling System Design Considerations

The six subsystem of a Structured Cabling System are as follows:

A. Building Entrance
Building entrance facilities provide the point at which outside cabling interfaces with the
Inter building backbone cabling. The physical requirements of the network interface are defined in the
EIA/TIA-569 standard.
B. Equipment Room
The design aspects of the equipment room are specified in the EIA/TIA-569 standard. Equipment rooms
usually house equipment of higher complexity than telecommunication closets. An equipment room may
provide any or all of the functions of a telecommunications closet.
C. Backbone Cabling
The backbone cabling provides interconnection between telecommunications closets, equipment rooms
and entrance facilities. It consists of the backbone cables, intermediate and main cross connects,
mechanical terminations and patch cords or jumpers used for backbone-to-backbone cross-connection.
D. Telecommunications Closet
A telecommunications closet is the area within a building that houses the telecommunications cabling
system equipment. This includes the mechanical terminations and/or cross-connect for the horizontal and
backbone cabling system.
E. Horizontal Cabling
The horizontal cabling system extends from the telecommunications outlet in the work area to the
horizontal cross-connect in the telecommunications closet. It includes the telecommunications outlet, an
optional consolidation point or transition point connector, horizontal cable, and the mechanical
terminations and patch cords (or jumpers) that comprise the horizontal cross-connect.
F. Work Area
The telecommunications outlet serves as the work area interface to the cabling system. Some
Specifications related to work area cabling include:
Equipment cords are assumed to have the same performance as patch cords of the same type
And category
When used, adapters are assumed to be compatible with the transmission capabilities of the
Equipment to which they connect.
Horizontal cable lengths are specified with the assumption that a maximum cable Length of 3m (10ft)
NETWORK CABLES
Cable is the medium through which information usually moves from one network device to another. There
are several types of cable, which are commonly used with LANs. In some cases, a network will utilize only
one type of cable; other networks will use a variety of cable types. The type of cable chosen for a network
is related to the network's topology, protocol, and size. Understanding the characteristics of different
types of cable and how they relate to other aspects of a network is necessary for the development of a
successful network.
• Unshielded Twisted Pair Cable (UTP)
• Shielded Twisted Pair Cable (STP)
• Fiber-Optic Cable (Multi Mode)
• Fiber –Optic Cable (Single Mode)

When you plan and design mission-critical data center facilities, you are building the infrastructure on
which the entire enterprise will rely. The physical infrastructure is the foundation of your business and its
strength and reliability is crucial. Be sure your strong foundation includes Proximity’s Data Center Cabling
Solution. Proximity is a globally recognized leader in Data Center cabling and is your comprehensive
source for high-performance end-to-end cabling infrastructure:
• Cabling consulting and design
• Warranted installation
• Standards-based products enabling speeds up to 10 Gb/s over both copper and fiber
• Expert technical support services
Nearly every building has a structured cabling system installed these days. They provide the connectivity
for all IT networking and voice systems and many building services functions such as CCTV and Building
Management Systems (BMS).
Unfortunately not all are designed as well as they could be. An installation which looks great on day one
may be a mess a month after services is connected if the likely interconnectivity is not considered in the
design or the cable management is insufficient.
All these issues can be avoided with careful design. Our skilled RCDD (Registered Communications
Distribution Designers) will plan and design a system to meet your needs.
If a project is running on tight timescales then you may want to consider a pre-terminated cabling solution
to reduce time spent on site by the cabling installation team.
Maintaining control of the cabling system, managing the IT assets, planning for growth and managing
moves adds and changes (MACs) can be time consuming in a large network. An Intelligent Infrastructure
Management System can make these processes more efficient.
Are you unsure what fiber to use or how much to install for the future? Consider a blown fiber system
allowing you to install the infrastructure now and blow in the fiber later
Unsure whether to go for Cat7, Cat6, Cat5, 10Gb cabling or Single mode/multi mode fiber? We will help
you decide what is best for you.
Access have been installing IT infrastructures for different infrastructures & clients requirements and will
be happy to assist in defining your requirements or work to an existing specification. We have the
capacity and resources to carry out major projects as well as the focus and individuality to offer a
dedicated service for smaller works.

Products Information

Copper Solutions Fiber Solutions

Additional Copper Connectivity Additional Fiber Connectivity
Faceplate & Zone Boxes InstaPATCH Plus & G2 Solutions
GigaSPEED X10D Indoor/Outdoor Cables
GigaSPEED Xpress Outside Plant Cables
GigaSPEED XL Tools & Consumables
PowerSUM Building Cables
Coax Connectors
Patch Cords
Fiber Type

Enclosures Patching Solutions

Racks & Accessories InstaPATCH Plus & G2 Solutions
Cable Management VisiPatch 360
Network Cabinets iPatch
Server Cabinets Workstation Platforms
Power Strips Faceplate & Zone Boxes

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Click here