| Over the years voice and data cabling | | | | inch rack-mounted inside the communications |
| requirements have merged. Today, cabling | | | | cabinet in the telecommunications room - also |
| infrastructures are designed to support voice, | | | | sometimes known as a server room). |
| data and video as well as other building | | | | From this patch panel it can be decided how |
| communications services such as video | | | | these connections will be used. |
| conferencing, cable TV and security applications | | | | Each outlet can be 'patched' into a data network |
| such as CCTV. | | | | switch, or into a 'telecoms patch panel' which |
| The preferred cabling media in the UK is either | | | | forms a bridge into a private branch exchange |
| unshielded or shielded balanced twisted pair cables | | | | (PBX) telephone system - this makes the |
| which have progressed to a stage in development | | | | connection a voice port rather than a data port. |
| where a bandwidth of over 200MHz is now | | | | It is common practice to color code patch panel |
| available. | | | | cables to identify the type of connection, though |
| Each communications cable provides four twisted | | | | structured cabling standards do not require it. |
| pairs between two points in a network. | | | | Current data cabling standards specify that all |
| Structured cabling is a building's | | | | eight connectors in Cat5, Cat5e and Cat6 cable |
| telecommunications cabling infrastructure. This | | | | are connected, this means that you cannot |
| infrastructure as a whole consists of a number of | | | | 'double-up' or use one cable for both voice and |
| smaller elements known as subsystems. | | | | data. |
| These subsystems include (but are not limited to): | | | | Structured cabling schemes provide connections |
| - Backbone cabling which connects between the | | | | from individual points around a building to a central |
| entrance facilities, equipment rooms and | | | | patching location within a communications cabinet. |
| telecommunications rooms. | | | | Voice switch, LAN hub and telecommunications |
| - Horizontal cabling which connects | | | | services are presented at the patch panel and |
| telecommunications rooms to specific outlets on | | | | peripherals can be cross-connected to deliver the |
| the floor. | | | | necessary service wherever they are needed |
| - Telecommunications rooms which house the | | | | around the building. |
| equipment connecting the backbone and horizontal | | | | Structured Cabling is the glue that connects |
| cabling. | | | | everything - from network services, such as |
| The design and installation of structured cabling is | | | | ISDN, ADSL, WAN, and LAN to multimedia, voice |
| governed by a set of standards for data or voice | | | | and data. |
| communications, using category 5 or category 6 | | | | Your cabling infrastructure can be configured and |
| cable and modular sockets. (Cables can also be | | | | adapted to meet new demands, and can |
| known as Cat5e or Cat6) | | | | accommodate any moves staff need to make, |
| These standards outline how to lay the cabling in | | | | either individually or collectively, on a temporary or |
| a "star formation". This means that all outlets are | | | | permanent basis. Additions, moves and changes |
| terminated at a central patch panel (normally 19 | | | | to your structured cabling can be made easily. |