Networking I Lesson 42

Student Objectives: After completing this lesson, students will be able to: describe what a wiring closet is and does list the equipment found in a wiring closet describe what a patch panel is and does explain the significance of properly installed cable connections discuss the methods of laying down wire into a patch panel summarize the rules to be followed when laying wire explain how a punch tool works describe what a distribution rack is and does evaluate advantages and disadvantages of using a distribution rack

Terms: MDF - Main Distribution Facility - primary communications room for a building IDF - Intermediate Distribution Facility - secondary communications room patch panel - an assembly of pin locations and ports - may be mounted on a rack or wall of a wiring closet - patch panels act like switchboards that connect workstation cables to each other and to the outside- an interconnecting device through which horizontal cabling runs to other network devices pin locations - color coded slot on a patch panel - cable wires are punched down to make an electrical connections ports - an interface on an internetworking device (i.e., router)-patch cords connect to a port allow for interconnection of devices that are also attached to the patch panel distribution rack - a skeletal frame for holding equipment such as patch panels - allow easy access front and back stabilized by floor plate punch tool - pushes the wire between 2 metal pins, skinning the sheath so it makes an electrical connection with the pins and cuts off any extra wire (always position the punch tool so the blade is on the side away from where the wire enters each pin location Lesson Summary: a wiring closet contains wiring for data and voice networks the following devices will be found inside a wiring closed: patch panel, wiring, hubs, bridges, witches, and routers the wiring closet is the center point of a star topology if more than 1 wiring closet exists - the topology becomes an extended star WHEN PUNCHING DOWN CABLE, THE WIRING SEQUENCE IS ESSENTIAL TO OPTIMAL NETWORK PERFORMANCE it pays to do it right! poor connections can cause electrical noise and intermittent electrical contact between wires and pins HINTS: lay down cable wire in ascending order by cable number (assigned when run from wiring closet) use cut sheet to lay wires - label patch panel later

match wire colors exactly keep the end of the cable centered above its pin locations keep jacket within inch of pin locations (or slower data transmission) don untwist more than necessary (or crosstalk) t