STRUCTURED CABLING SYSTEM

- Structured cabling divides the entire

infrastructure into manageable blocks and then
attempts to integrate these blocks to produce
high-performance networks.

TIA/EIA
- This standard address commercial building cabling
for telecom products and services.
- TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association)
- EIA (Electronics Industry Alliance)
ADVANTAGES
- Consistency – has same cabling systems for data, voice and video.
- Support for multi-vendor equipment – it will support applications and hardware even with mix
and match vendors.
- Simplify moves/adds/changes.
- Simplify troubleshooting – if problems are likely to down the entire network, it is easier to isolate
and fix.
- Support for future applications – it supports multimedia, video conferencing etc with little or no
upgrade pain.
- Fault isolation – dividing the entire infrastructure into simple manageable blocks.
- Helps reduce maintenance costs.
Networking
The first step is to establish the aims of network implementation:
• Implementation of administrative and financial database
• Staff access to company records
• Automation of letter, report or specification writing
• E-mail for staff
• Staff scheduling
• General Information automation (including library, plans, graphics and images)
• Learning or training aids (interactive software)
• Computer skills training rooms (word proessing, publishing, CADD, spreadsheets, databases)
• Printer sharing
• File transfer
• Internet access (graphical, text, news)
• Access to centralized information sources (e.g. CD-ROM stacks)
• Automate software updates
• Centralize application software
Choice of Software and Hardware
• Identify which software applications the network operating system and hardware must support.
• Exclude software or machines that will be discarded for other reasons from further networking
considerations.
NETWORK
- it is a series of computers that can communicate with one
another by virtue of their interconnectivity.
TOPOLOGY
- it is the shape or the design layout of a network.
Two types of topologies:
• Physical topology
• Logical topology
Physical Topology
- the shape that the network cable makes when
connecting devices.
Two Basic Connectivity Methods
• Point-to-point connection – only two devices are
involved.
Ex., a server connected to a router
• Multipoint connection – multiple machines share
the cabling.
Ex., an Ethernet
Types of Physical Topologies

Star topology – each device or computer has its own cable that connects to a
central point, such as a hub, switch, multipoint repeater or a Multistation
Access Unit (MAU).

Bus topology – every device is connected directly to a central cable, removing

the need for a hub. Bus topologies consist of a single cable with terminating
resistors at the end.

Mesh topology – each network device has a separate connection to every

other device.

Ring topology – each computer is connected to the next, forming a

closed loop.

Wireless topology – can be implemented in a star (BSS), mesh (IBSS), or cellular configuration
(ESS).

Basic Service Set (BSS) - consists of a wireless access point (WAP)

connected to a wired network.

Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS) – enables each wireless

device to connect to other wireless devices within range.
Extended Service Set (ESS)
 Extended Service Set (ESS) – also called cellular topology, it
consists of a series of overlapping wireless cells each with its WAP.
Devices can move among cells and remain connected to the
network.

Logical Topology

– the shape that the data makes when it travels around the
network.

Types of Logical Topology

Ring topology – sends data from one device to another in

a closed loop.

Bus topology – transmits data throughout the entire

network segment.

Cellular topology – similar to bus topology, except each device can move between cells without
losing connectivity.

Media Access Methods

A media access method refers to the manner a computer grain and controls access to the
network’s physical medium (defines how the network places data on the cable and how it takes
it off). Common media access methods include the following:

• CSMA/CD

• CSMA/CA

• Token Passing

• Demand Priority
One of the primary concern with media access is to prevent packets from colliding. A collision
occurs when two or more computers transmit signals at the same time.

CSMA/CD

Carrier- Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection.

“Carrier Sense” means that each station on the LAN continually listens to (test) the cable for the
pretense of a signal prior to transmitting.

“Multiple Access” means that there are many computers attempting to transmit and compete
for the opportunity to send data.

“Collision Detection” means that when a collision is detected, the station will stop transmitting
and wait a random length of time before transmitting. CSMA/CD works best in an environment
where relatively fewer, longer data frames are transmitted. CSMA/CD is used on Ethernet
networks.

CSMA/CD operates as follows:

• a station that wishes to transmit on the network checks to

see if the cable is free.

• if the cable is free, the station starts transmitting.

• however, another station may have detected a free cable at

the same instant and also start transmitting: the result is a
collision.

• once the collision is detected, all stations immediately stop

transmitting

• station then wait a random length of time before checking

the cable and then retransmit.
CSMA/CA

Carrier-Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance

• Similar to CSMA/CD; the difference is that the CD(collision detection) is changed to CA

(collision avoidance). Instead of detecting and reacting to collisions, CSMA/CA tries to
avoid them by having each computer signal its intention to transmit before actually
transmitting. CSMA/CA is slower than CSMA/CD

CSMA/CA is used on Apple networks.

TOKEN PASSING

• Collisions are eliminated under token passing because only a computer that possesses a
free token (a small data frame) is allowed to transmit. Transmission from a station with
higher priority take precedence over station with lower priority. Token passing works
best in an environment where relatively large number of shorter data frames are being
transmitted.

• Token passing is used on Token Ring and ArcNet networks.

How token passing works

• a station that wishes to transmit on the network waits

until the token is free

• the sending station transmits its data with the token

• the token travels to the recipient without stopping at

other stations

• the receiving station receives

Demand Priority

• This is a new Ethernet media access method that will probably replace popular but older
CSMA/CD. These are characteristics of Demand Priority.

• Used with 100 Mbps Ethernet

• requires a “smart” hub

• station must require permission from hub before they can transmit

• Stations can transmit and receive at the same time

• transmission can be prioritized.

Media Types

1. Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) – flexible wiring that includes

two or more pairs of twisted cabling which help reduce
electromagnetic interference (EMI), also known as cross-talk.
Grade Max. Data Rate Freq Max. Numbe Uses
Distance r of
Pairs

Cat1 1 Mbps 1 MHz 90 m 1 Telephone and ISDN

Cat2 4 Mbps 1 MHz 90 m 2 Token ring

Cat3 10 Mbps 16 MHz 100 m 3 or 4 10BaseT

Cat4 16 Mbps 16 MHz 100 m 4 Token ring

Cat5 100 Mbps 100 MHz 100 m 4 10BaseT and 100BaseT

1 Gbps if using 155 Mbps ATM

all 4 pairs

Gigabit Ethernet

Cat5e 1 Gbps 100 MHz 100 m 4 Gigabit Ethernet

Cat6 4-10 Gbps 250 MHz 100 m 4 Gigabit Ethernet, uses all 4
pairs

Cont.. UTP categories

• Cat 6A Cable – Supports 10G Base-T standard for bandwidths up to 10 Gbps over a
maximum distance of 100 meters. Cat 6A standard can support frequencies in the range
of 0-500 Mhz.

• Cat 7 Cable – Supports 10G Base-T standard for bandwidths up to 10 Gbps over a
maximum distance of 100 meters. Cat 7 standard can support frequencies in the range
of 0-600 Mhz. It offers better performance and improved cross talk suppression over the
Cat 6A cables.

• Cat 7A Cable – Supports 10G Base-T standard for bandwidths up to 10 Gbps over a
maximum distance of 100 meters. In addition to this, they can also support 40 Gbps
bandwidth for around 50 meters and 100 Gbps bandwidth for around 15 meters. They
support frequencies in the range of 0-1000 Mhz.

2. Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) – similar to UTP except for the heavy
outer covering, or shield, that acts as a ground. STP is highly
resistant to noise interference.
 3. Coaxial Cables – consists of a copper conductor that lies in the center of the cable,
surrounded by insulation. A braided or mesh outer covering (a
conductor) surrounds the insulation. A PVC jacket encases the
covering.

Types of Coaxial Cables

• ThickNet – also called RG-8, is older and one of the first types of coaxial cables used in
networks (physical bus topologies). Its thick shielding
makes it fairly immune to noise but also very rigid and difficult to work with. Requires
vampire taps and both ends must be terminated with 50-ohm resistors.

• ThinNet – also called RG-58, is more flexible and easier to work with than ThickNet.
BNCs (British Naval Connectors) are used for connectivity, and 50-ohm resistors are
required at each end.

4. Fiber Optic Cables – is a thin strand of glass enclosed in a glass

tube and shielded by PVC plastic covering.

5. Wireless Media – wireless media is simply the atmosphere. The data rate and the
distance depend on the wireless protocol implemented.

Table 1.3 Media Types

Media Connectors

1. RJ-11 (Registered Jack 11) – the common telephone connector

interface, both the receptacle and the plug, usually uses 4
conductors.
 2. RJ-45 – the most common media connector for Ethernet 10BaseT, 100BaseT, and
1000BaseT networks. It has 8 conductors, but may use only for or all depending on the
type of protocol.

3. AUI (Attachment Unit Interface) – used for both ThickNet and

ThinNet, it has 15 pins on one end that connects directly into the
NIC. The other end is connected to a short cable that connects to a
transceiver, which connects directly to the main cable.

4. BNC (British Naval Connectors) – also used for ThickNet and ThinNet,
they look like cable TV connectors with a central pin that connects to
the primary conducting wire. The connector has a T shape which allows it
to hook into the straight bus.

5. ST – is a modular fiber optic connector used for duplex

communications. It has a circular female connector on each side.

6. SC – also a modular fiber optic connector, it is provided for simplex

communications and has rectangular female interfaces on each side.

7. RS-232 – used to be one of the most important interfaces for remote

networking. This is the serial interface with either 9 or 25 pins found
on the PC. It is used solely with analog services and modems.

NETWORKING COMPONENTS

CENTRAL HUBS IN STAR TOPOLOGIES

• Hub – is the center of a network segment where data can arrive from one port and be
forwarded out the other ports. It is the center of activity on the network segment.

• Passive hubs – a conduit that receives a signal and split it out all
ports.

• Active hubs – retransmits and regenerates the signal out through all ports, and requires
a power source. They have troubleshooting tools in the form of link lights, error lights,
and collision lights.

• Repeater – a device that receives a signal from one port,

copies it, and regenerates the signal to send out its other port.

• Passive repeaters – copies the signal it receives from one port

and transmits it to the other port. Used to fix a break in the cable or to connect two
cables.
• Active repeaters – regenerates the signal (requires a power source). Used to extend the
length of the cable beyond its signaling limitations.

• Hybrid hubs include one or two additional ports for different types of wiring.

• Hubs in Token Ring Networks – MAUs

A Multistation Access Unit (MAU) is a special type of hub used for token ring networks.
The MAU actively regenerates signals as it transmits data around the ring.

• BRIDGES

A bridge is a device used to connect LAN segments and forward data packets based on
the MAC address in the frame header. Bridges can connect networks that use different
types of media.

• SWITCHES
Just as a hub is considered a multiport repeater, a switch is basically a multiport bridge.
The switch creates a temporary switched or dedicated path between the port where the
frame (data) originated and the port containing the destination.

• ROUTERS

A routers connects multiple LANs together, similar to bridges and switches. The
difference is that while bridges and switches filter data based on the physical addresses,
routers filter data based on logical addresses (including the network segment address).
Routers are designed to connect different types of media, topologies, and even
networks using different media access methods (as long as the networks share a
common networking protocol).

• GATEWAYS

Gateways connect networks using different topologies and entirely distinct network
protocols. You will see gateways in networks that use mainframes and minicomputers.

• WIRELESS ACCESS POINTS

A wireless access point (WAP) is the equipment used to interconnect with multiple
wireless devices. A WAP concentrates data communications in a local area, creating a
cellular topology. WAPs are able to communicate with one another so data
transmissions can easily pass from one area to another.

• MODEMS

The modem (modulator/demodulator) translates digital signals that are created on the
computer to analog signals that are used by the telephone system or PSTN (Public
Switched Telephone Network).

• NETWORK INTERFACE CARDS

 A network interface card (NIC) allows a computer to connect to a LAN and transmit data
at the speed of the type of network. Each NIC is built specifically for a type of network
protocol and topology.

NETWORKING TECHNOLOGIES

Table 2-1 The IEEE 802 Series

IEEE Specification Description

802.2 The Logical Link Control (LLC) protocol specification used by the other
802 standards

802.3 Ethernet: 10BaseT, 10Base2, 10Base5

802.3u Fast Ethernet 100BaseT

802.4 Token bus

802.5 Token ring

802.6 Metropolitan area network based on bidirectional fiber optic bus

topology

802.11a Fast Wireless LANs up to 54Mbps

802.11b Wireless LANs up to 11Mbps

Ethernet (802.3) and LLC (802.2)

Ethernet was the product of the research and development efforts of three companies in the
1970’s: Digital, Intel, and Xerox (collectively known as DIX). Later on, the IEEE based its 802.3
standard on the DIX specification.

Table 2-2 Ethernet Characteristics

Media access method CSMA/CD

Logical topology Bus

Physical topology Bus, star

Cabling Coaxial, UTP, Fiber optics

10BaseT
 • Uses four-pair UTP wiring (commonly Cat5) using RJ-45 connectors

• Each cable is connected from each network device to a central hub in a physical star
topology

• Signals are repeated and forwarded to all other nodes on the network (logical bus
topology)

• Limited to 1024 devices on a segment with a maximum of 1024 network segments

• UTP has a maximum distance of 100 meters (328 feet)

10BaseF

• Implementation of Ethernet 802.3 over fiber optic cabling

• Offers only 10Mbps data transfer rate

10Base2

• Also called ThinNet

• Uses BNC connectors implemented as both physical and logical bus topology using RG-
58 cabling

• Follows the 5-4-3 rule: 5 segments in series, 4 repeaters between segments, 3 segment
populated with devices

• Minimum distance for cables between workstations must be at least ½ meter

• The maximum segment length is 185 meters

• Limited to 30 devices on each segment

• All five segments cannot be longer than 925 meters

10Base5

• Also called ThickNet

• Requires an external transceiver to attach to the network interface card on each device
(unlike ThinNet NICs that have built-in transceivers) using an AUI connector. The
transceiver then clamps onto the cabling (vampire tap)

• Can also use BNC connectors

• Follows the 5-4-3 rule

• The minimum cable distance between each transceiver is 2.5 meters

• The maximum segment length is 500 meters

• Can have up to 100 devices on each network segment

• All five segments cannot exceed 2,500 meters Attachment Unit Interface

100BaseFX
 • Implementation of Fast Ethernet over fiber optic.

• It runs over multimode fiber optic uses LEDs to transmit data and are thick enough that
the light signals bounce off the walls of the fiber. The dispersion of the signal limits the
length of the multimode fiber.

• Single mode fiber optic cables uses injected lasers to transmit the data along fiber optic
cable with an extremely small diameter. Because the laser signal can travel straight w/o
bouncing and dispersing, the signal can travel much farther than multimode.

Table 2-3 Ethernet Standards

Max.
Topology Max.
Ethernet devices Max. # of
Cabling segment
Standard per segments
length
segment
Physical Logical

10BaseT Cat3Cat5 Star Bus 100 m 1024 1024

UTP

10BaseF* Fiber optic

10Base2 Thin coaxial Bus Bus 185 m 30 5

10Base5 Thick coaxial Bus Bus 500 m 100 5

10BaseFX** Fiber optic

100BaseT4 Cat3 UTP Star Bus 100 m 1024 1024

100BaseTX Cat5 UTP Star Bus 100 m 1024 1024

1000BaseT*** Cat5/5e UTP Star Bus 100 m 1024 1024

Token Ring (802.5)

• Like the Ethernet standard, Token Ring networking was developed by IBM and later
adopted by IEEE for the 802.5 standard.

Table 2-4 Token Ring Characteristics

 Media access method Token passing

Logical topology Ring

Physical topology Star

Cabling UTP, STP

Wireless (802.11b)

• IEEE 802.11b is considered wireless Ethernet, with data throughput of up to 11Mbps.

Fiber Optics

• Developed in the mid-1980s by the American National standards Institute (ANSI), FDDI
(fiddey) has both a physical and logical ring topology. It uses a dual ring topology in
which nodes are connected to each of the two rings. This topology also uses token
passing for media access. One ring is considered primary and is used for all data
transmission. The second ring is used for backup in case one of the brittle fiber optic
cables breaks.

Benefits:

• Immunity to electromagnetic and radio-frequency interference

• Long-distance capabilities

• Large capacity for data throughput

• Resistance to traditional wiretap methods

Types of Cables and Connecting a Network Devices

1. Straight-Through Cable - Four-pair, eight-wire, straight-through cable, which means that

the color of wire on Pin 1 on one end of the cable is the same as that of Pin 1 on the
other end. Pin 2 is the same as Pin 2, and so on. The cable is wired to either EIA/TIA
T568B or T568A standards for 10BASE-T Ethernet, which determines what color wire is
on each pin.
2. Crossover Cable - A crossover cable means that the second and third pairs on one end
of the cable will be reversed on the other end. The pin-outs are T568A on one end and
T568B on the other end. All 8 conductors (wires) should be terminated with RJ-45
modular connectors. Crossover cable conforms to the structured cabling standards. If
the crossover cable is used between switches, it's considered to be part of the "vertical"
cabling. Vertical cabling is also called backbone cabling. A crossover cable can be used as
a backbone cable to connect two or more switches in a LAN, or to connect two isolated
hosts to create a mini-LAN. This will allow the connection of two hosts or a server and a
host without the need for a hub between them.

3. Rollover Cable - A 4-pair "rollover" cable. This type of cable is typically 3.05 m long but
can be as long as 7.62 m. A rollover cable can be used to connect a host or dumb
 terminal to the console port on the back of a router or switch. Both ends of the cable
have RJ-45 connectors on them. One end plugs directly into the RJ-45 console
management port on the back of the router or switch. Plug the other end into an RJ-45-
to-DB9 terminal adapter. This adapter converts the RJ-45 to a 9-pin female D connector
for attachment to the PC or dumb terminal serial (COM) port. A DB25 terminal adapter
is also available to connect with a PC or dumb terminal. This adapter uses a 25 pin
connector. Figure 18 shows a rollover console cable kit.

CONNECTING A NETWORK DEVICES

Fiber Optics

An optical transmission system has three key components: the light source, the transmission
medium, and the detector. Conventionally, a pulse of light indicates a 1 bit and the absence of
light indicates a 0 bit. The transmission medium is an ultra-thin fiber of glass or plastic. The
detector generates an electrical pulse when light falls on it. By attaching a light source to one
end of an optical fiber and a detector to the other, we have a unidirectional data transmission
system that accepts an electrical signal, converts and transmits it by light pulses, and then
reconverts the output to an electrical signal at the receiving end.

Optical fiber links are used in all types of networks, LAN and WAN. The frequency range of fiber
optics is approximately 180 THz to 330 THz.

There are two types of fiber optics cables:

• Multimode fiber

• Single-mode fiber

Client/Server Networks
In client/server networks, workstations rely on data and services from one or more centralized
servers. These servers can control various systems including applications, printing,
communication, and administration.

Clients - are PCs or workstations on which users run applications. Clients rely on servers for
resources, such as files, devices, and even processing power.

Servers - are powerful computers that manage disk drives, printer services, network traffic, and
other network resources.

Advantages of Client/Server Networks

• Centralization. Centralization allows easier and more efficient management. This is

especially true in reference to file storage. In a centralized file-management
environment, you control file and directory names, locations, sizes, and so on. The
drawback to this, of course, is that you’re responsible for organization.

• Security. Most client/server environments have discretionary access control, which

allows you to incisively grant or deny access to files, directories, and resources based on
user, host, time, or date.

• Logging. Finally, client/server networks typically have excellent logging facilities,

allowing you to debug your network sessions.

Types of server

• Application servers

• Communications servers

• Directory services servers

• Fax servers

• File servers

• Internet servers

• Mail servers

• Print server

Application Servers

• Application servers house applications such as ledgers, databases, and office-oriented

programs. In an application server-based network, clients rarely store information
locally. Instead, clients make inquiries and send updates to the servers.

• The principal advantage of application servers is centralized management of data. Also,

application servers obviate the need to install full-blown applications on client
workstations. This saves space and money.

Communications Servers
 • Communications servers control traffic between LANs, WANs, mainframes, the Internet,
and other communication transmission media. Typically, communications servers
functions as entrances or gateways into private networks, using a wide range of
networking devices (for example, modems, routers, or dedicated lines).

Directory Services Server

• Directory services server contain indexes of users, nodes, and network servers. Their
chief function is to enable easy administration of large networks. Often, directory
service servers provide an index of absolutely everything on the network.

Fax Servers

• Fax servers manage network fax traffic through one or more fax/modem cards. Users
request faxes that have been sent or received with software on their client or
workstation. In turn, the server reports (and can deliver) those faxes to the user.

File Servers

• File servers centralize data storage. The server stores files, and the client requests them.
Commonly used for development in software design, file servers are excellent for use in
collaborative work environments.

Internet Servers

• Internet servers manage Internet or intranet traffic. They allow you to create and
publish Web pages, sell products over the World Wide Web, and gather contacts and
feedback.

THE OSI MODEL

• The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model describes a structured set of seven
protocol layers interconnecting as a stack. This protocol stack model shows how the
protocol layers can communicate among open systems.

Application
Layer 7

The three top layers handle

Presentation Presentation Upper the movement of data
Layer 6 Layer 6 layers between applications

Session
Layer 5

Transport The two middle layers handle

Layer 4 Middle the movement of data between
layers network segments
Network
Layer 3

Data-link
Layer 2 The bottom two layers provide the
Lower physical and logical topology and
layers enable the movement of data
Physical
across a single network segment
Layer 1

The Physical Layer

 • The physical layer is responsible for the transmission of raw data in the form of a stream
of bits across physical media. Layer 1’s specification comprise (1) the media interface, (2)
the topology, and (3) the signaling methods used across the media.

Examples: RS-232 interface, Gigabit Ethernet (also covers the Data Link Layer)

Note that one protocol may encompass more than one layer.

The Data Link Layer

• The data link layer is the only layer with two (2) sub-layers: Media Access Control (MAC)
and Logical Link Control (LLC). Layer 2 supplies hardware addresses, identifies errors,
and manages flow control.

Examples: Ethernet, token ring

Media Access Control (MAC)

• The media access control sub-layer defines how devices are able to gain access to the
media. It also maintains the hardware address for the device.

There are three (3) types of MAC:

• Contention – using this method, devices have immediate access to the media but only
transmit when they have data. This method is subject to collision.

• Polling – in this method, a central mechanism regulates network traffic by polling each
device and determining whether it is ready to transmit data.

• Token passing – the second most common type, it is used on both token ring and FDDI.

MAC Address – also called the hardware address, it is assigned to every NIC attached to the
network segment. Each MAC address is unique to each interface: manufacturers assign MAC
addresses to the NIC.

Logical Link Control (LLC)

• The logical link control sub-layer is responsible for logical link functions of single or
multiple connections using control packets called Protocol Data Units (PDUs). The LLC
primarily provides flow control and frame sequencing services.

• A PDU contains all the necessary protocol information in the header.

Network Layer
 • The network layer provides the basics for internetworking, which is the transmission of
data from one physical segment to a different segment (routing). This process involves:

• Providing an address for each network segment

• Providing a logical address for each device

• Routing and forwarding data

• Selecting a route (if there are multiple routes to the same network segment)

• Discovering the routes to other network segments

• Error handling, congestion control, and packet sequencing

Examples: TCP/IP

• Transport Layer

• The transport layer provides for a transparent transfer of data between the sender and
receiver nodes. The control information in the transport-layer header provides end-to-
end recovery and flow control. This ensures that data is completely transferred.

• The transport layer uses port numbers to name the ends (sender and receiver) of logical
connections. Layer 4 also handles multiplexing services.

• Transport layer protocols may either be

– Connection-oriented – also called reliable communications, connection-

oriented protocols determine whether the data it sent was received at the
destination using acknowledgments. Examples: TCP/IP

– Connectionless – also called unreliable communications (this does not mean

that data is not received at the destination), connectionless protocols do not
receive acknowledgments when data is received.

Examples: User Datagram Protocol (UDP) Multiplexing services enable a node to communicate
with multiple network nodes simultaneously.

Session Layer

• The session layer establishes a connection between applications and manages that
connection until it terminates it. Verification of user IDs and passwords is handled in the
session layer.

Presentation Layer

• The presentation layer provides the way for data to be presented to the application.
Encryption/decryption and data compression/expansion are handled at this layer.

• The primary service that layer 6 protocols provide is formatting data. The presentation
layer uses the following types of data translation:

• Bit order – the sending and receiving devices read each byte from either the first or last
bit received.
 • Byte order – the sending and receiving devices read a string of data from either the first
or last byte received.

Application Layer

• The application layer provides a means for data to be communicated over the networks
by user programs.

Examples: HTTP, FTP, SMTP

ELEMENTS

• Entrance Facility (EF)

• Equipment Room (ER)

• Telecommunications Room (TR)

• Backbone Cabling

• Horizontal Cabling

• Work Area

ENTRANCE FACILITY

• Where a Telecom or Internet provider’s cabling enters the building

- T1, E1 lines for Internet connections

- Analog or digital telephone lines

- Wirings from other buildings

EQUIPMENT ROOM

• Where computing, data storage, and networking equipment are located

- File servers

- Network storage

- Routers, switches

TELECOM ROOM

• Where horizontal and vertical backbone cables are terminated

• Houses network or telecom equipment

• 1 TR per floor

BACKBONE CABLING
 • Any interconnection between main distribution point, TR, EF, and ER

- Floor-to-floor (vertical)

- Building-to-building (inter-building)

- Between rooms (intra-building)

HORIZONTAL CABLING

• Distributes a min 2 runs (1 voice, 1 data) of cables to each end-user’s work area

• Runs through ceilings or under floors

- No taps, splices, splitters, diagonal runs

- Max length of 90m from TR to work area

- 5m for equipment and end-user patch cords

WORK AREA

• At least 2 ports (1 voice, 1 data)

• Each outlet must be served by 1 run of cable directly to TR (home-run)

HORIZONTAL PATHWAYS

• Access floor (raised floor)

• Ceiling

• Conduits

• Cable trays and wire ways

CONDUITS

• Electrical Metal Tubing (EMT)

• PVC

• Flexible tubing

CABLE TRAYS AND WIREWAYS

• Rigid, rectangular pre-fabricated ducts or troughs for housing cables

- Ladder or ventilated type without cover

- Solid with top cover