Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Typical centralized fiber runs
*
MC
Optional
TR's
Optional
MUTOA
Work
area
Key:
Termination
Interconnect or cross-connect
MC = Main cross-connnect
TR = Telecommunications room
Hub equipment
Work area telecom.
outlet connector
MUTOA = Multi-user telecom.
outlet adapter
* These runs are technically user cords if MUTOA is used and may connect directly to
workstation. Otherwise, they are a continuation of the horizontal cable.
FIGURE 11.8
A typical centralized fiber layout.
In practice, the centralized fiber cables are routed through existing TRs, even
though there is no termination or equipment hub there. The reason for this practice
is that the TR is frequently the location of the interfloor ports that physically con-
nect to the MC or other point of consolidation. In addition, if a blown-in fiber sys-
tem is used, the multicell tubes may be run to the TR, where they are broken out
into individual tubes and routed to each work area.
Alternatively, loose-buffer multifiber cables may be run to each TR and spliced
onto individual work-area fiber runs. This method avoids the additional bulk, cost,
and loss of an interconnection (patch) panel.
The splices are allowed in fiber runs, unlike copper runs, as they add insignif-
icant signal degradation to the optical path. The TR splice method may be used in
blown-in fiber systems, as well as in a hybrid system, which would use loose-buffer
cables to the TR and blown-in fiber tubes to the work area.
As with the structured system, you may use multiuser outlet (MUTOA) consol-
idation for open offices. As stated before, all fiber systems are inherently intercon-
nect systems, rather than cross-connect systems. From a practical standpoint, it
matters not where the interconnection occurs, so the MUTOA takes the place of an
interconnect in a TR, in the centralized fiber layout.
Centralized fiber cabling is a viable option for any fiber cable installation. Care
should be taken that the total run length is within the operating parameters of the
