pace-it: cable management

Cable management.

Instructor, PACE-IT Program – Edmonds Community College

Areas of Expertise Industry Certification

PC Hardware

Network Administration

IT Project Management

Network Design

User Training

IT Troubleshooting

Qualifications Summary

Education

M.B.A., IT Management, Western Governor’s University

B.S., IT Security, Western Governor’s University

Entrepreneur, executive leader, and proven manger with 10+ years of experience turning complex issues into efficient and effective solutions.

Strengths include developing and mentoring diverse workforces, improving processes, analyzing business needs and creating the solutions required— with a focus on technology.

Brian K. Ferrill, M.B.A.

Cable management.

– Cable distribution.

– Cable management components.

PACE-IT.

Cable distribution.Cable management.

Cable distribution.

– Main distribution frame (MDF).» The location where the demarc, demarc extension,

main switch/router, and patch panel are placed.» The MDF is where outside traffic enters a location and

then is distributed to the internal network.

– Intermediate distribution frame (IDF).

» A location’s solution when a single MDF is not sufficient.

» It is usually in a multistory building.» The IDFs are connected to the MDF by vertical cross-

connect (VCC) cables.» It is common for an MDF to contain separate IDF panels

for each floor of a building.

– VCC (vertical cross-connect).» The main patch panel for a location. It usually resides

in the same location as (or very close to) the demarc and main switch/router.

Cable management.

Cable distribution.

– Patch panel.» Used to terminate network cable runs, usually within a

building (from the wall jacks to a central location). • The network runs are called horizontal cabling.

» Used to organize and administer the physical aspects of the network cables.

» Network runs are punched down to the back of the patch panel (normally a 66 or 110 block) with an associated port on the front of the patch panel.

» Patch cables are used to connect the patch panel ports to networking gear.

» Workstations connect to a patch panel using horizontal cabling; this location is called the horizontal cross-connect (HCC) and is usually located in the IDF. Switches may or may not be present.

• If a workstation needs to be relocated to a different switch, all that needs to be done is to make a change in the location of the patch cable.

Cable management.

Cable management components.Cable management.

Cable management components.

Labeling is an important part of cable management. It can cause stress when working with networks, but it doesn’t have to.

The key to proper labeling is to create a naming convention (a systematic and consistent method) that makes sense for the situation. Proper labeling will ease the management of the physical aspects of the network, especially when dealing with cables.

Labels should be placed on everything that deals with the network—beginning from the wall jacks all the way through the patch panels, switches, and routers. The naming convention should be documented and kept with the network diagrams.

Cable management.


– Naming convention example.» Office 219 has network outlets on all four walls.

• Jacks could be labeled 219N (North), 219W (West), etc.

» The horizontal cabling from 219 feeds into a patch panel in an IDF located on the second floor that contains two 48-port switches that tie in all of the HCCs.

• The cables coming from 219 to the patch panel could be labeled 219W, 219S, etc.

• The switches could be labeled SW2A and SW2B» The patch cables for office 219 connect to SW2B’s

ports 20-24.• The patch cables could be labeled 219N-SW2B-21 or

219E-SW2B-22, etc.» The key is to be consistent and to document

everything.

– Cable trays.» Masses of cables can block airflow and act as an

insulator that allows for excessive heat to build up.» Cable trays are used to organize cabling and to keep it

away from areas where cabling may cause heat buildup.

Cable management.

What was covered.Cable management.

The MDF is where outside network traffic enters a location and gets distributed to the internal network. In multistory buildings, it is common for there to be IDFs. Horizontal cables connect workstations to patch panels in the IDF. VCC cables connect the IDF to the MDF. Patch panels are where network cabling runs are terminated.

Topic

Cable distribution.

Summary

Labeling is an important part of any cable management system that gets developed. A key part of labeling is to devise a naming convention that makes sense for the situation and to be consistent in utilizing it. Everything dealing with the network should be labeled and documented. Cable trays are used to manage cables and to keep them from creating a heat problem.


THANK YOU!

This workforce solution was 100 percent funded by a $3 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability or ownership. Funded by the Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Grant #TC-23745-12-60-A-53.

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