1. Structured cabling
What, why & how

2. Example of unstructured cabling
PC server T
Mini-computer T
Voice adaptor
PBX
Phone system T

3. Before structured cabling
Dedicated cabling for applications
PCs (e.g. Coax 10Base2, Bus)
Telephony (e.g. Twisted pair, Extended star)
Minicomputers (e.g. Twisted pair, Star)
Install just what is required
Initial cost?
Adds / Moves / Changes (AMCs)?
Different cabling types for different applications e.g.
co-axial for PC network
Voice grade cabling for telephony
Proprietary cabling for mini computers
Different topologies
Bus for PCs
Distributed star for voice
Star for mini-computers
Cabling was tailored to existing requirements.
-> Low initial cost
BUT
Adds, Moves & Changes -> Cost rapidly increased
Possibly need 3 engineering visits for a single AMC – More cost

4. Overview of structured cabling

5. Structured cabling Multi-purpose Single type of cable (e.g. Cat5e UTP)
Standard connector (RJ45)
Patching
Adaptors for applications
Flood wiring
Initial cost?
AMCs?

6. Total cost of ownership

8. Key structured cabling terms
Workarea
Telecoms outlet
Adaptor e.g. Voice
Patch cord
Telecoms closet / equipment room
Patch panel
Horizontal cabling (UTP / STP)
Joins Workarea to Telecomms closet
Backbone cabling (UTP / STP / Fibre)
Joins telecoms closets
Telecoms room -> Floor serving
Equipment room -> Building or Campus serving

9. This set-up only works if the PCs are very close together
Ethernet 10BaseT/100BaseT
PC with NIC
PC with NIC
Hub or switch
Patch cord
PC with NIC
** NOTE**
This set-up only works if the PCs are very close together
Advantages
Simple -> Plug together and it works
Drawbacks
Patch cords are poor transmitters
Low maximum reach (approx 5m per patch cord)
Patch cord routing -> large hole size due to plug
Patch cord

10. Workarea Equipment Room Or Telecoms Closet Office 1 Office 2
PC with NIC
PC with NIC
Workarea
UTP or STP cable
(Up to 90m)
Equipment Room Or
Telecoms
Closet
Patch panel
Hub or switch

11. Telecoms outlets Front Back Size RJ45 sockets to accept patch cords
IDC connectors to accept UTP cable
Cable management
Size
To fit standard backboxes e.g. 86x86mm
1,2 or 4 ports

12. Voice connections UK uses BT style connector BUT
6 way
Latching on side
BUT
Structured cabling uses RJ45 connector
8 way
Latching on top

13. Voice adaptors RJ45 plug BT style socket
Plug into structured cabling telecoms outlet
BT style socket
Plug in phones, fax machines, modems etc.
Available as plug-top or with flexible lead

14. PC with NIC PC with NIC UTP or STP cable Voice adaptor PBX
Advantages
Simple -> Plug together and it works
Drawbacks
Patch cords are poor transmitters
Low maximum reach (approx 5m per patch cord)
Patch cord routing -> large hole size due to plug
Hub or switch

15. Patch panel Front Back Size RJ45 sockets to accept patch cords
IDC connectors to accept UTP cable
Cable management
Size
Normally 19” wide
Often multiples of 8 ports

16. 19” racks Mounting positions 19” wide Capacity measured in U’s
1U=1.75 inches
Designed to hold
Patch panels
Switches / routers
Power supplies
Servers
Cable management

17. Categories Category 5 Category 5e Category 6 Category 7 (?)
ANSI/TIA/EIA 568A
Category 5e
ANSI/TIA/EIA-568B
Category 6
ANSI/TIA/EIA-568B-2.1
Category 7 (?)