1. A Structured Cabling Solution Suelin Gung October 18 th, 2014 CS/SE 6361

2. Contents Background Explanation of Structured Cabling System Terms Used in SCS The fact Observations AS-IS Problems How to Address Them What TO-BE Challenges with the Solution Market Advances References

3. Background

4. What is a Structured Cabling System A structured cabling system (SCS) is a set of cabling and connectivity products that integrates the voice, data, video, and various management systems of a building (such as safety alarms, security access, energy systems, etc.)

5. Terms used in SCS Patching – connection from the front of a port to the front of another port Cabling – connection from the back of a port to the back of another port Zone – is referred to a group of racks that are monitored by a controller Patching is not supported across different zones due to cable length and for better control

6. The fact Typical cost for building a structured cabling system in data center or in an enterprise environment. ~50% spent in operation Main operational effort Resides in planning, executing and alternation As part of execution, technicians build circuit paths by connecting cables from equipment to equipment.

7. Observations For an intelligent system, the start and the end of a cable run is essential to the monitoring software Technician working in one location (such as a rack) would prefer to complete all works for that location at the same time before moving to the other location

8. So what are the problem(s) Technically: In the current system, when building a circuit, a technician must work on one cable at a time, that is, inserting one end of a cable in one rack is followed by inserting the other end of the same cable in another rack before the technician can move onto the next cable. This limitation is dictated by the system software such that one end of a cable insertion in one rack must be followed by the insertion of the other end of the same cable in another rack. This limitation proved to be burdensome for technicians especially when the two connecting racks are spaced far apart.

9. So what are the problem(s) cont’ Managerial: RFID, Serial ID solutions are patented Common mode is too costly Anything breakthrough technology available? What is the work around?

10. How to address them To be addressed in Phase II

11. What do we want the solution to be Connection is automatically confirmed after each insertion If the other end of the cord is inserted to a port, the system records their locations in the database as one connection If the other end of the cord is not inserted to a port, the system records this port is connected to an unknown port

12. Challenges with the solution Technology breakthrough Cost Time Market penetration

13. Market advantages Faster circuit building cycle Less human power required

14. References The International Engineering Consortium Web ProForum Tutorials http://www.iec.org