| >> What is Structured Cabling? | | | | adapter cablesb) Adapters such as baluns and |
| Simply put, communication cabling systems are | | | | other devices that modify the signal or impedance |
| called structured cabling systems. Commercial and | | | | of the cablec) Station equipment such as |
| residential building communication systems are | | | | computers, telephones, fax machines, data |
| planned and organized to support different | | | | terminals |
| communication systems and user applications, | | | | 2. Horizontal Subsystem |
| they are all designed to support at least 10 years | | | | Horizontal cabling is the cabling that extends from |
| life cycle. | | | | telecommunication closets to the work area and |
| "Structured Cabling System" is a generic | | | | terminates in telecommunication outlets. It includes |
| communication wiring scheme that is installed in | | | | the following components:a) Cables from the |
| buildings that is able to support all types of | | | | patch panel to the work areab) |
| communication systems including: telephone | | | | Telecommunication outletsc) Cable terminationsd) |
| systems, computer LANs, video systems, imaging | | | | Cross connections where permitted |
| systems and more. Structured cabling system is | | | | 3. Backbone Subsystem |
| also called premises distribution system. | | | | Backbone system is to connect entrance facilities, |
| >> The Purpose of Structured Cabling System | | | | equipment rooms, and telecommunication closets. |
| The purpose of standardized cabling systems is to | | | | Backbone subsystem consists of cables that |
| support a multi-product and multi-vendor | | | | connect the telecommunication closets, equipment |
| environment. An organized cabling system costs | | | | rooms, and building entrance, cross-connect |
| less to install and maintain over the life the | | | | cables, mechanical terminations, and patch cables |
| system. | | | | that are used for backbone to backbone |
| The cable system includes communication cabling, | | | | cross-connection. |
| cable pathways, communication ground and | | | | Backbone subsystem includes the following |
| bonding system, supporting structures, and building | | | | components:a) Cabling between equipment rooms |
| spaces. The structured cabling standard describes | | | | and building-entrance facilitiesb) In a campus |
| all elements of a communication cabling system to | | | | environment, cabling between buildings' entrance |
| install, support, and maintain the system. | | | | facilitiesc) Vertical connections between floors |
| >> Structured Cabling Standards | | | | 4. Telecommunication Room (TR) |
| There are three main cabling standards: | | | | Telecommunication Room is also called |
| - EIA/TIA 568C - This is the American standard | | | | Telecommunication Closet. This is the space within |
| - ISO/IEC 11801 - The International standard for | | | | a building that is used to terminate horizontal and |
| structured cabling systems. | | | | backbone cables. The primary function of this |
| - CENELEC EN 50173 - The European cabling | | | | building space is to have a dedicated space to |
| standard | | | | install cable termination hardware and |
| TIA-568-C suite of standards breakdown: | | | | communications equipment. |
| TIA-568-C.0 Generic Telecommunications Cabling | | | | The telecommunication room also contain |
| for Customer Premises | | | | networking equipment such as LAN hubs, |
| TIA-568-C.1 Commercial Building | | | | switches, routers, and repeaters. Backbone cabling |
| Telecommunication Cabling Standards - Part 1 | | | | equipment rooms terminate in the |
| General Requirements | | | | telecommunication closet. |
| TIA-568-C.2 Balanced Twisted-Pair | | | | 5. Equipment Room (ER) |
| Telecommunications Cabling and Components | | | | An equipment room is a special type of |
| Standard (release date: TBA) | | | | telecommunication room. This is a special space in |
| TIA-568-C.3 Optical Fiber Cabling Components | | | | a building that is required to house and support |
| Standard | | | | common and/or special communication or data |
| >> Structured Cabling Subsystems | | | | equipment. The function of an equipment room is |
| Structured cabling system is based on modular | | | | to provide a controlled environment required by |
| subsystems that are independent yet work | | | | this complex and fragile equipment. |
| together to create a complete building cabling | | | | Equipment room is a centralized space specified to |
| system. | | | | house more sophisticated equipment than the |
| Each subsystem is designed and installed | | | | entrance facility or the telecommunication closets |
| independently of the other subsystems. Then all | | | | (rooms). Often, telephone equipment or |
| of the structured cabling systems are | | | | data-networking equipment such as routers, |
| interconnected and work together as a single | | | | switches, and hubs are located there. Backbone |
| cabling system. | | | | cabling is specified to terminate in the equipment |
| This concept enables growth and flexibility as | | | | room. |
| changes to one subsystem do not affect the | | | | 6. Entrance Facility |
| other systems. | | | | The entrance facility (EF) is usually where the |
| The subsystems of a structured cabling system | | | | service providers, such as the telephone |
| are: | | | | company, bring their cables into a building. These |
| 1. Work area subsystem | | | | cables provide services, such as dial tone, |
| 2. Horizontal subsystem | | | | necessary for phone services in the building. |
| 3. Backbone subsystem | | | | All external cabling (campus backbone, |
| 4. Telecommunications Room (TR) | | | | inter-building, antennae pathways, and |
| 5. Equipment Room (ER) | | | | telecommunication provider) should enter the |
| 6. Entrance Facility (EF) | | | | building and terminate in a single point. |
| >> Subsystems Detailed Descriptions | | | | Telecommunications carriers are usually required |
| 1. Work Area Subsystem | | | | to terminate within 50 feet of a building entrance. |
| The work area is where the horizontal cable | | | | >> Get More Trainings |
| terminates at the wall outlet. In the work area, | | | | There are also lots of books on the subject of |
| the users and telecommunications equipment | | | | cabling. The books cover Structured Cabling |
| connect to the structured cabling infrastructure. | | | | Standards, Network Design, Wireless |
| The work area includes the following | | | | Communications, Fiber Optic Networking and |
| components:a) Cat5e, Cat 6 copper patch cables, | | | | Home Networking. You can search on for more |
| fiber patch cords (jumpers), modular cords, and | | | | Structured Cabling books. |