Cabling Installation & Maintenance articles from November 2006

Cabling Installation & Maintenance archives from November 2006

A bundle of standards activity.(EDITORIAL)
November 1, 2006... For years, I have used the term "bedrock" to describe the standards that emanate from the Telecommunications Industry Association's TR-42 Engineering Committee, covering structured cabling systems, components, and technologies. My use of the...

Wet link progress report.(corrosive effects of pulling-lubricants and conduit installation standards )
November 1, 2006... When it comes to the "wet link phenomena" topic, it appears that everyone is currently "in the lab." The pulling-lubricant manufacturers are busy inventing and cable manufacturers are busy testing. No one is talking. At least, not yet. But...

The value of intelligent physical-layer management: while today's intelligent infrastructure systems offer benefits for end users, system providers continue to face U.S. adoption challenges.(design)
November 1, 2006... Intelligent patching systems, which have been around for almost 10 years, are now referred to as intelligent physical-layer management (IPLM), intelligent infrastructure management (IIM), or real-time infrastructure management. These systems...

Fiber-optic structured cabling for mission-critical data: with trends pointing to pre-terminated solutions, optical systems provide advantages and benefits in data center environments.(installation)
November 1, 2006... It is predicted that within the next five years, the data center will become the largest opportunity for fiber-optic systems in the entire premises market (Structured Cabling Systems Market: 2005, FTM Consulting). The increase in...

Work continues on standard for industrial cabling systems: TIA-1005, which still has hurdles to jump, could be an example of specification harmonization among several standards-setting groups.(technology)
November 1, 2006... When the Telecommunications Industry Association's (TIA; www.tiaonline. org) TIA/EIA-1005 standard is finalized, which could be by this time next year, it will be the culmination of nearly a decade's worth of work to specify cabling systems in...

Two-way solution for wireless LAN security: addressing both physical security and logical security will help ensure your wireless communications are carried out safely.(Local Area Networks)(Cover story)
November 1, 2006... With centralized wireless networking becoming more ubiquitous, security is becoming a major focus for customers. When I meet with them, the first comment is often, "What is your wireless security solution?" Enterprise customers already...

Datacom distributor WESCO International acquiring Communications Supply Corp.(INDUSTRY spotlight)
November 1, 2006... Electrical products and systems distributor WESCO International (www.wesco.com) has announced it has entered an agreement to acquire Communications Supply Corp. (CSC; www.gocsc.com) from CSC's parent, private-equity firm company, Harvest...

Solarflare demonstrates 100-meter 10GBase-T physical layer system.(INDUSTRY spotlight)
November 1, 2006... It the BICSI Fall Conference in late September, Solarflare Communications (www.solarflare.com) demonstrated a 10GBase-T physical layer (PHY) chip reaching 100 meters over an IEEE 802.3an standard-compliant Category 6A link. The...

ConEst acquires RapidBOM estimating system.(ConEst Software Systems acquired RapidBOM)
November 1, 2006... ConEst Software Systems (www. conest.com) has reached an agreement to acquire RapidBOM, a telecommunications-network estimating system from Catalyst Data Inc. Financial terms of the deal had not been disclosed at press time. ConEst, as...

Correction.(Correction notice)
November 1, 2006... Two illustrations were transposed in the article "Testing guidelines for 10-GbE over twisted pairs," which ran in our September issue. The illustration depicting pair-to-pair NEXT measurements that ran on page 38 and the illustration depicting...

TIA and USTelecom, together again, announce NXTcomm.(Telecommunications Industry Association and United States Telecom Association to co-host NXTcomm)
November 1, 2006... Depending on your generation, they are either the Liz Taylor-and-Richard Burton or the Ross-and-Rachel of the telecommunications industry. The Telecommunications Industry Association (www.tiaonline.org) and the United States Telecom Association...

Watertown, CT--Daniel Mullin, Siemon Labs' (www.siemon. com) research and development director, has been awarded the "1906 Award" by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), commemorating the IEC's centennial and presented for recent major achievement related to the commission's technical work.(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... WATERTOWN, CT -- Daniel Mullin, Siemon Labs' (www.siemon. com) research and development director, has been awarded the "1906 Award" by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), commemorating the IEC's centennial and presented for...

Corning, NY--Corning Inc. (www.corning.com) recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of its historic Wilmington, NC manufacturing facility, which was the world's first optical-fiber manufacturing center and today, according to the company, has the largest optical-fiber manufacturing capacity in the industry.(Short runs ...)
November 1, 2006... CORNING, NY -- Corning Inc. (www.corning.com) recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of its historic Wilmington, NC manufacturing facility, which was the world's first optical-fiber manufacturing center and today, according to the company,...

Mountain View, CA--Ethernet Alliance (www.ethernetalliance. org) members recently conducted successful multi-vendor interoperability testing of 10GBase-LRM optical interfaces in support of IEEE 802.3aq.(Short runs ...)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA -- Ethernet Alliance (www.ethernetalliance. org) members recently conducted successful multi-vendor interoperability testing of 10GBase-LRM optical interfaces in support of IEEE 802.3aq. The testing, involving Excelight/...

Haverhill, MA--Wireless multi-service mesh technology developer Firetide (www.firetide.com) and network video developer Axis Communications (www.axis.com) have developed a public safety deployment for the city of Haverhill, MA.(Short runs ...)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... HAVERHILL, MA -- Wireless multi-service mesh technology developer Firetide (www.firetide.com) and network video developer Axis Communications (www.axis.com) have developed a public safety deployment for the city of Haverhill, MA. Mesh networks,...

Sunnyvale, CA--Wireless infrastructure developer Meru Networks (www.merunetworks.com) has deployed its WLAN system throughout the Hilton, NY Central School District.(Short runs ...)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... SUNNYVALE, CA -- Wireless infrastructure developer Meru Networks (www.merunetworks.com) has deployed its WLAN system throughout the Hilton, NY Central School District. The district had previously deployed a wireless network but found that as...

San Francisco, CA--Colocation and managed service provider ColoServe (www.coloserve.com) has upgraded its facility to Category 6 cabling, part of a major capital project to install a new main distribution frame and rewiring the company's entire data center.(Short runs ...)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- Colocation and managed service provider ColoServe (www.coloserve.com) has upgraded its facility to Category 6 cabling, part of a major capital project to install a new main distribution frame and rewiring the company's...

What's coming down the pipe? Multi-dwelling unit and FTTx installations, and the codes that go with them, are raising the bar on conduit choice awareness.(Fiber To The Home )
November 1, 2006... Slightly more than a handful of companies manufacture conduit for telecommunications applications, and for the majority, new product development has been quiet in recent months. But for some, growth in the FTTx and multi-dwelling unit markets...

New test modules.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... Additional test modules and software for the OptiFiber Certifying OTDR let you test longer fiber links in campus networks, or very short patch cords in data centers. A singlemode module offers a 60-km range, shorter dead zones, and increased...

Micro-duct fiber.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... AirLight is a high-density optical-fiber cable for existing or new micro-duct installations where FTTx is deployed. According to the company, it is ideal for air-blown applications using compressed and dry air. Under trial testing, the fiber...

AV, security, tools.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... The 644-page MCM Electronics Catalog 51 contains more than 40,000 products, including parts and packages for security and audio/visual installations. The catalog also includes tools, test equipment, and information on the company's...

Commercial A/V hub.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... Developed for commercial audio/video (A/V) and digital signage integrators, the Component Video Hub distributes high-resolution component video plus digital audio to up to eight or 16 displays via Category 5 cable. The hub can be cascaded with...

Shielded 10-GbE system.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... Promising to deliver standards-compliant 10-Gigabit Ethernet (10-GbE) transmission for the full 100 meters, the NextSpeed Category 6 shielded system is designed to provide headroom beyond 500 MHz, adding protection against ANEXT, external noise...

No-drill utility rack.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... The Utility Rack, a no-drill alternative to truck bed rack systems, is designed to install in about five minutes and can hold up to 500 pounds of cargo. Made of zinc-plated, powder-coated steel, the Utility Rack adjusts to fit any pickup with...

Data center monitor.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... Enterprise View Version 2.1 lets you simultaneously manage multiple Sentry cabinet power distribution units (CDU) in multiple data centers. It provides a central location where all alarms can be viewed and logged for reporting, e-mail, or SNMP...

Network dome cameras with joystick control.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... The AXIS 231D+ (pictured, next page) and 232D+ network dome cameras for professional surveillance and remote monitoring can be operated with the company's 295 Video Surveillance Joystick to provide continuous, 360[degrees] pan/tilt/ zoom (PTZ)...

Modular connection system.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... The 10GX IDC System is a modular connection solution for wall-mounted configuration of large cross-connect and interconnect rack-mounted systems. An alternative to modular patch panels, the system is designed to minimize network infrastructure...

Enhanced estimating software.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... IntelliBid Version 5.1, the latest version of the company's estimating and business management software, now includes an expanded database of more than 70,000 electrical, low-voltage, and structured cabling materials. Other features include...

Integrated fiber trunk.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... The Plug & Play Universal System Integrated Trunk Module is a pre-terminated 12-fiber MTP connector trunk assembly integrated into the company's Plug & Play Systems module. The trunk cable is stored in the module; you can pull it out and deploy...

Multimedia panels.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... These blank multimedia patch panels, in 4-port and &port versions, are designed for the company's residential cabling enclosures. Both panels accept all of the company's HD-style connectors, which allow for a fiber network in the home. The all...

Server cabinet compression latch.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... Designed for server cabinets or small-to-medium size access doors on cabinets and enclosures, these mini-compression latches with D-SNAP technology feature a set of spring-loaded wings that are inserted into a channel in the latch housing,...

1U patch panel.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... The QuickPort high-density 1RU/48-port patch panel features die-cast aluminum construction. Available in Category 5e, 6, and 6A versions, each includes one patch panel, 48 connectors, labeling kit, and cable management bar. A port label holder...

IP video software, encoder.(New Products)(March Networks)(internet protocol)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... The R5 VOS (video operating system) software system for IP video intelligence solutions, is designed to work on open, industry-standard servers and storage platforms. It features the company's existing video capture, process, storage, and...

Pre-terminated fiber system.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... Momentum 2, a modular, pre-terminated fiberoptic cabling system, combines optical ribbon cabling, MTP termination, LC polishing, and hardware designed to provide a cost-effective solution for mission-critical data centers and storage area...

Fiber trunk assemblies.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... Opti-Core and QuickNe pre-terminated fiber-optic trunk cable assemblies are designed for faster start-up of high-density permanent links in a single assembly for data center applications, such as main, horizontal and zone distribution areas....

Video security software.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... Endura 1.3, the newest version of an enterprise class IP-based video security software solution, offers expanded frame rate choices (up to four rates and three resolutions on each channel), integrated system diagnostics so that operators and...

Fiber-optic adapter kit.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... The company's fiber-optic adapter kits are designed to provide a simple solution to mating multiple connector types, and contain standard and hybrid adapters for the most popular types of single-mode and multimode connectors. Available in...

Gigabit Ethernet converter.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... The GETF-110 series of Gigabit Ethernet copper-to-fiber media converters replaces the company's GETF-105 models. New features include Transparent Link Pass Through and Remote Fault Detect, which prevent the converters from isolating a head-end...

PoE midspan.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... Modular PowerSense midspan Power over Ethernet (POE) hubs offer network management capabilities, and are especially suited for applications powering wireless access points and IP security cameras. According to the company, unlike comparable...

WAP ceiling enclosure.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... This 24 x 24 x 4-inch ceiling-mounted enclosure is designed to provide secure housing for wireless access points (WAP). The lightweight aluminum enclosure installs in drop ceilings and is designed for maximum signal coverage and reduced visual...

Snagless patch cords.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... SlimLine patch cords feature a bootless design and narrow profile for tight installations. Stranded conductors are designed to offer superior flexibility with no significant electrical or mechanical degradation even after many flexures. These...

Channel-blanket WLAN.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... While standard WLANs use cell-based technologies that require RF cell planning to avoid co-channel interference, the Belden Wireless Solution uses channel-blanket topology designed to allow each radio channel to be used everywhere, at every...

Under floor management.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... The Under Floor Cable Management System (UFS) for power and data allows a mix of 2-foot and 10-foot sections, and is designed for installation in either new or existing raised-access flooring. This heavy-gauge system is self-supporting; you...

Stealth patch cords.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... Molded from a patented stealth-type conductive material to enhance performance in high-stress data environments, the Black Cat Category 6 patch cords are tested and certified to TIA/EIA standards, and feature low-profile strain relief for...

Electronic punchdown tool.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... The EZ-E punchdown tool incorporates electronics that produce audible and visual confirmation of a successful termination. For IDC terminations, the tool features an adjustable force thumb wheel for selecting the optimal punchdown force. The...

Strain relief bushing.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... The UL-listed SRB Series of strain relief bushing is designed to absorb the forces of push and pull that may be exerted on cables. The company's SRPL-2 tool is required for installation, and is sold separately. RICHO INC. ...

Quick cable gland.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... This waterproof grommet is designed to provide slight strain relief and can be easily installed by pressing it into a panel--according to the company, ten times faster than that of conventional cable gland installations. The KCG Series gland's...

See-through SOHO cover.(New Products)
November 1, 2006... A stylized cover for the company's SOHO Access line of enclosures features a curved, smoked Plexiglass window, and provides an additional 2 to 2.5 inches in depth to accommodate larger devices. Vents at the top and bottom of the cover, combined...

Adjustable grip tie tool.(New Products)(Thomas and Betts Corp.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... The Ty-Rap cable tie installation tool is designed to ease user fatigue, with patent-pending features that include an adjustable grip span built to fit any hand, and an anti-recoil cutoff mechanism that reduces vibration when installing cable...

Testing connections.(New Products)(Westek Electronics Inc.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... The Laptop Kit lets technicians quickly interface with multiple types of test equipment while in the field or central office. Configure multiple combinations of 25-pin and 9-pin-style cables to link a laptop with T-1, Ethernet, modems, routers,...

802.11n wireless products.(New Products)(SMC Networks Inc.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Capable of achieving data transfer rates of up to 300 Mbits/sec--25 times the rate of standard 802.11b devices and five times that of 802.11g--these 802.11n draft networking products maintain backward compatibility with 11b/g wireless networks...