Q1.
What is a Structured cabling
system and why we need it for?
Q2.
What are the components o the
structured cabling system?
Q1.
What
is a Structured cabling system and why we need
it all?
A1.
Until the introduction of Structured Cabling
Systems each move, change and upgrade within a
communication network was likely to cause
chaos to other users on the network.
Traditional cabling methods meant that usually
a different media was used for each protocol,
for example a twisted pair cable for voice and
a coaxial for data. Another disadvantage of
this method of sending information was that
once cables were installed - either in risers
or under floors - they were often there for
good. When the system, and consequently the
cabling, needed upgrading, the installed
cables could not be cost effectively removed.
The result being that with every expansion and
upgrade, new cable was installed and the old
cable left in place, but redundant. This led
to congested cabling routes and inevitably to
increased costs and
inflexibility, and created potential fire
hazards!
A structured cabling system is the answer to
the above problems and today's rapidly
changing communications requirements.
The principle of structured cabling is to
'flood wire' a building (with either 100 Ohm
UTP/STP 4-pair or 150 Ohm STP 2-pair copper
cable) using a three meter square grid of
useable floor space for each user. This area
is defined as a work area and within it an
allowance should be made to accommodate a
minimum of one data outlet, one voice outlet
and two 13A power outlets.
With the use of Wiring Closets containing
patch panels and active equipment on each
floor and each work are data and voice outlet
'star-wired' back to these patch panels, when
a user moves from one
part of the building to another, it is a
simple procedure to 'rematch' this person to
reflect this move.
The original Standard around which such
systems were designed was the North American
EIA/TIA 'Commercial Building Telecommunication
Wiring Standard EIA/TIA 568, July 1991'. This
has now been superseded by an International
Standard ISO/IEC 11801 which has similar
recommendations to the above but also includes
a new chapter on Link Performance. This
classifies a link that will provide the
minimum transmission performance required to
support an application within the same class.
A structured cabling system provides a totally
flexible, cost effective means of transmitting
voice and data. It allows moves changes and
upgrades to be effected with the minimum
amount of disruption
often by simply disconnecting and reconnecting
in the new position.
Q2.
What
are the Major components for the structured
cabling system?
A2.
As the standards were derived to specify the
system, the following components were taken
into consideration as hardware pieces and the
design consideration. The main component will
be as follow:-
1) Cables:-
Different cable types are listed and it is
the major component in the system. Cables
are covering unshielded twisted pair (VTP),
Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Coaxial Cable
and Fiber Optic Cable.
2)
Cable Termination Hardware. Two terminated
ends for each Cable. The termination will
take place at the office (Information)
Outlet I/Q, and at the patch panel to the
electronics end.
3)
Patching and office cards. This is a special
type of Cables needed to connect the work
station to the I/Q and the patch panel to
the electronics.
4)
Enclosures:- These steel enclosures are
needed at the electronic side in order to
keep patch panels and electronics in one
place for ease of maintenance, changes,
expansions...etc.
These are the major
essential components are needed for a SCS
site. The utilization of these components are
varies from one vender to another as well the
installer will effect the find performance of
the network.
It is critical to
give the best design, implementation and
future support to get the best out of your
network-cabling infrastructure.
