Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
ble, it may be convenient to design your system so that it could support multiple
applications, such as data and voice, or data and videoconferencing.
Then you should assess what future standards for which you might reasonably
be expected to use the cabling system. You should also take into account the useful
life of your facility, which might be five years, or even 20 years. Are your offices in
leased space? You might expect to move in less time than if you owned the space. It
might be best to “overwire” by putting in more cables or cable pairs than you cur-
rently need.
You may wish to use a modular outlet jack that allows the connector to be
changed without re-terminating the wire.
It may be virtually impossible to make any accurate technological prediction
more than five or 10 years out. Consider for a moment what technology changes
have taken place over the last 10 years! Undoubtedly, someone, somewhere, made
an accurate prediction. However, there were also several predicted technology direc-
tions that simply didn't come true. Of the predictions for the next decade, which
should you choose?
The only practical approach to cabling futures is to determine a cabling
method that meets at least the current, widely deployed technology requirements.
You then should consider installing to meet cabling standards that are at least one
level beyond those current requirements.
If this is not cost-prohibitive, your cable system will be able to go through at
least one generational upgrade without replacement. For example, if you currently
need a 100BaseT or 100 megabit (Mb) Token-Ring network cabling system, you
should consider installing a cabling system that will support 1000 Mb gigabit tech-
nology. Because much of the current componentry is being manufactured so as to
exceed that data rate, your system will probably support a second upgrade to 1000
Mb rates, should that occur.
Changes in cabling technology are a challenge for any topic author. To help
you keep informed on the latest developments and standards, we have developed
an Internet site to use as a resource on current LAN developments. Consult
www.lanwiringguide.com
,
or see Appendix C, “Online Resources,” for information.
Does anyone ever want an unreliable network cabling system? No, of course not!
You, or someone else if you use a third-party installer, will be making many deci-
sions regarding the components and methods used to install your LAN cable.
Many of these decisions will have a long-term effect on how well your network
performs.
