Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
they are related to the installation process. You can buy the finest certified compo-
nents and still have them installed improperly.
That is why we have devoted an entire part of this topic to the installation of
the wiring devices.
Category 5e/6/AC6/7 Testing and Certification
The simplest proof of 100/1000 Mbps network performance is to connect your
100/1000 Mbps switch-hubs and workstations and see if they work! Unfortunately,
many of us must install cabling systems long before we buy the first 1000 Mbps
hardware. Even if high-speed hardware were to be installed immediately, the time to
cure cable problems is during the build-out stage of construction, not after move-in.
The solution is to have the cable system tested and certified as part of the
installation process. This testing and certification process is described in more detail
in Chapter 15, but is summarized here.
The first step in certification is to use the proper materials. All cables, jacks,
patch panels, patch and user cords, and connecting blocks should be certified to the
proper category by the manufacturer. There is no major benefit to specifying all this
by brand name unless you are using a particular manufacturer's connecting hard-
ware system that offers unique features. For a smaller installation of 50 station
drops or less, this will probably just raise the price and narrow the field of bidders.
The second step is to use properly trained installers, particularly for Category
5e/6/AC6/7 installations. Several certification programs exist for cable installers.
The vendor-specific programs generally emphasize a common set of workmanship
techniques and are adequate training in most situations.
You should not insist that installers be certified by a particular vendor unless
you are willing to put up with the extra expense and aggravation of such a policy;
it is more important that each installer either be formally trained at a recent course
or be closely supervised during the installation.
A few industry-wide certification programs exist, including the Registered
Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD) program from BICSI, Inc. (for-
merly the Building Industry Consulting Service International, Inc.). The RCDD
requires experience and successful completion of a test. A Network Transport
Systems Specialist program also exists. And there is now an installer registration
program that does not require membership in the organization. See Chapter 18 for
additional information on training and certification/registration.
The third step is to individually test and certify each workstation link. The
worst-case link performance criteria and testing guidelines of TIA/EIA-568-C are an
excellent basis for certification. Each link should pass all the tests specified for the
