INTRODUCTION TO STRUCTURED CABLING

INTRODUCTION TO STRUCTURED CABLING

Compiled by Sonam Dukda Division of Information Technology Ministry of Communication September 2000

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 4 2 NETWORKING ............................................................................................................................. 5

2.1 Objectives ................................................................................................................................ 5 2.2 Choice of Software and Hardware........................................................................................... 5 3 NETWORKING TRENDS ............................................................................................................. 6 4 STANDARDS................................................................................................................................. 6 4.1 International Standards ............................................................................................................ 6 4.2 Industry Standards. .................................................................................................................. 6 4.3 Structured Cabling standards................................................................................................... 6 4.4 Highlights of the EIA/TIA-568A standards............................................................................. 7 5 STRUCTURED CABLING............................................................................................................ 8 5.1 Structured Cabling System Design Considerations ................................................................. 8 6 NETWORK CABLES .................................................................................................................. 12 6.1 Unshielded Twisted Pair........................................................................................................ 12 6.2 Shielded Twisted Pair ............................................................................................................ 12 6.3 Fiber-Optic Cable .................................................................................................................. 12 6.4 Evolution of UTP Categories................................................................................................. 13 Network Application Primarily Designed to Support ....................................................................... 13 6.5 Category 5E ........................................................................................................................... 14 6.6 Category 6 & 7....................................................................................................................... 14 6.7 Comparison of Cable Media.................................................................................................. 15 6.8 Category Specifications ......................................................................................................... 15 7 NETWORK SET UP .................................................................................................................... 16 7.1 Node locations ....................................................................................................................... 16 7.2 Locating Hubs........................................................................................................................ 16 7.3 Selecting Backbone Routes ................................................................................................... 17 7.4 Linking Workgroups at the campus Hub............................................................................... 17 7.5 Checking Proposed Approach ............................................................................................... 19 7.6 Linking Buildings .................................................................................................................. 19 7.7 Selecting Equipment.............................................................................................................. 19 8 SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION ................................................................................................... 20 8.1 Justification............................................................................................................................ 20 8.2 Details to Record ................................................................................................................... 20 8.3 Patching and Jumpering Records........................................................................................... 21 8.4 System Administration .......................................................................................................... 21 8.5 Maintenance and Repair ........................................................................................................ 21 9 SOME GUIDELINES................................................................................................................... 21 9.1 Unshielded Twisted Pair cable (UTP) separation guidelines from Electro-magnetic Interference (EMI) sources................................................................................................................ 21 9.2 Minimum bending radius for a cable..................................................................................... 22 9.3 Recommended Cabling Practices. ......................................................................................... 22 9.4 UTP cabling installation practices ......................................................................................... 23 9.5 Installation of Optical Fiber Connecting Hardware............................................................... 23 9.6 Optical Fiber Cabling Installation.......................................................................................... 23 10 ANNEX I 24 11 ANNEX - II................................................................................................................................... 24 11.1 DETAILS ? EIA/TIA Cabling Standards.............................................................................. 25 11.1.1 EIA/TIA-568A................................................................................................................... 25 11.1.2 EIA/TIA-569A................................................................................................................... 25 11.1.3 EIA/TIA TSB-36 ............................................................................................................... 25 11.1.4 EIA/TIA TSB-40A ............................................................................................................ 25 11.1.5 EIA/TIA TSB-53 ............................................................................................................... 26

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11.1.6 EIA/TIA TSB-67 ............................................................................................................... 26 11.1.7 EIA/TIA-606...................................................................................................................... 26 11.1.8 EIA/TIA-607...................................................................................................................... 26 11.1.9 EIA/TIA TSB-72 ............................................................................................................... 26 11.1.10 EIA/TIA 526-14 (OFSTP-14)........................................................................................ 27 11.1.11 EIA/TIA 526-7 (OFSTP-7)............................................................................................ 27 11.2 Standards Under Development .............................................................................................. 27 11.2.1 TSB-95............................................................................................................................... 27 11.2.2 TIA 568-A-5 ...................................................................................................................... 27 11.3 Preliminary Standards Work.................................................................................................. 28 11.3.1 Category 6 Cabling ............................................................................................................ 28 11.3.2 Category 7 Cabling ............................................................................................................ 28 12 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 28

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1 INTRODUCTION

DIT recommends the adoption of Structured Cabling standards in the establishment of Network in the country. This paper is intended to serve as a guideline and introduction to the concepts involved in the issue of structured cabling.

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, 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 colouring 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:

? 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 & 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.

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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 system is fast becoming the norm for small, medium and large networks

2 NETWORKING

2.1 Objectives

The first step is to establish the aims of network implementation.

These might include:-

? 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 processing, 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

2.2 Choice of Software and Hardware

Before considering network requirements, the machines and software, which are to be networked now or in the future, must be identified. The purpose of this step is to:

? 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.

After answering the following questions, it should be possible to identify which PC's will initially be networked, and what existing "legacy" networks should be supported and grafted to the new network.

a) Which software packages are proposed to implement the target applications?

b) What hardware platform (type, size and speed of PC) will be required to run the software?

c) Can existing computers be used, or will they require replacement?

d) Can existing computers be upgraded (higher speed CPU, add DOS card to Mac, etc)?

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