Glossary

Important terms and definitions

Structured Cabling:
The comprehensive cabling infrastructure that supports various communication systems within a building, including voice, data, video, and other multimedia services.

Cat 5e/6/6a/7/8:
Different categories of twisted pair copper cables used in structured cabling, with increasing capabilities to handle higher data rates and provide better performance.

Fiber Optic Cable:
A high-capacity cable that transmits data using light signals, offering greater bandwidth, longer distances, and immunity to electromagnetic interference compared to copper cables.

Patch Panel:
A device that provides a central termination point for network cables, allowing for easy connectivity, organization, and management of the cabling infrastructure.

Racks and Cabinets:
Equipment used to house and secure network devices, patch panels, and other structured cabling components in an organized manner.

Cable Management:
Techniques and products used to organize, support, and protect cables, reducing cable clutter and facilitating easier maintenance and troubleshooting.

Data Center:
A centralized facility that houses servers, storage systems, networking equipment, and other IT infrastructure, requiring robust structured cabling solutions to ensure reliable connectivity and data transmission.

Backbone Cabling:
The high-capacity cabling infrastructure that connects equipment rooms, telecommunications closets, and other key network components within a building or campus.

Horizontal Cabling:
The cabling that connects workstations, devices, or outlets to the telecommunications closet, typically using twisted pair copper cables or fiber optic cables.

Certification and Testing:
The process of verifying and validating the performance and compliance of structured cabling installations using specialized testing equipment to ensure adherence to industry standards.

PoE (Power over Ethernet):
Technology that allows electrical power and data signals to be transmitted over Ethernet cables, eliminating the need for separate power sources for connected devices.

Plenum and Non-Plenum:
Refers to the type of cable jacket material used in the cabling. Plenum cables are rated for use in plenum spaces (air-handling spaces), while non-plenum cables are used in other areas of the building.

EIA/TIA Standards:
Standards developed by the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) that define guidelines and specifications for structured cabling system design, installation, and performance.

Warranty and Support:
The assurance provided by the structured cabling company regarding the quality of their products and installation work, along with the level of customer support and maintenance services offered.

Scalability:
The ability of a structured cabling system to accommodate future expansion, additional devices, and increased data requirements without significant rework or performance degradation.