Cim 20070901 sep_2007

Contents Zoom In Zoom Out For navigation instructions please click here Search Issue Next Page

Solutions for Premises and Campus Communication Systems Worldwide September 2007

www.cable-install.com

Contents Zoom In Zoom Out For navigation instructions please click here Search Issue Next Page

C Previous Page
A

Installation 7Maintenance
Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue B
Next Page EMaGS F

Exceptional optical performance comes naturally.
Nothing is more treasured in field termination than exceptional optical performance. The secret to UniCam® Pretium™-
Performance Connectors is inside – a laser-cleaved, factory-polished fiber stub that ensures outstanding connectivity in
a no-epoxy/no-polish (NENP) connector. UniCam Pretium-Performance Multimode Connectors offer 0.1 dB insertion loss.
And UniCam Pretium-Performance Single-Mode Connectors enable 0.2 dB insertion loss. That’s exceptional optical
performance in less than a minute per fiber, from the most widely deployed NENP connector on the market. Naturally ...
Customer-focused innovation is second nature at Corning.
www.corning.com/cablesystems/cimls

© 2007 Corning Cable Systems LLC / LS-02413

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS F

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS F

Are you ready to feel the speed?
Super fast testing with the WireScope Pro LAN Cabling Tester

Agilent’s WireScope Pro tester sweeps a full 1GHz in a few
seconds, boosting your test speed to new industry leading
Cat 6A and Cat 7 autotest times of 9 seconds. It also
accelerates your copper and fiber testing with dual-
wavelength fiber probes, the elimination of field calibration,
and a new auto-increment capability.

The WireScope Pro tester is the only handheld to provide
Alien Crosstalk (AXT) measurements simultaneously on
multiple ‘exciter’ cables, as well as produce final results on
the spot, so you can quickly handle any future AXT field
testing requirements. Alternative approaches could take hours
to complete and require PC post processing to see the results.

With simple software upgrades and a robust hardware
platform operating at 1 GHz frequency, you’ll save on the cost
of test because you’ll stay state-of-the-art for many years,
eliminating the need to buy new testers every year or two.

u.s. 1-800-829-4444, ext. 5465 Experience the speed of the WireScope Pro tester now at
canada 1-877-894-4414, ext. 5465 www.agilent.com/find/wirescope or by talking to one of our
_____________________

www.agilent.com/find/wirescope
_________________________ engineers by calling our 800 #s.

© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2006

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS F

C Previous Page
A

Contents Zoom In Zoom Out Front Cover Search Issue Next Page EMaGS
B
F

Our U.S. area of expertise.

No matter where you’re located, our fiber optic cable products are there. Optical Cable Corporation
has built a network of reliable stocking distributors and a dedicated sales team committed to
getting you the best fiber optic cables for your requirements when you need them...where you
need them. For over 20 years, we have been manufacturing the broadest range of top-performing
tight-buffered fiber optic cables for most applications in the government, military, and commercial
markets. Your order is our top priority. Contact Optical Cable Corporation for a stocking
distributor nearest you. We are where you are.

1-800-622-7711
5290 Concourse Drive • Roanoke, Virginia 24019 • Phone 540-265-0690 • www.occfiber.com

C Previous Page
A

B
F

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS F

SEPTEMBER 2007 VOL. 15, NO. 9

ABOUT THE COVER
Communities in a rural
Georgia school district,
with a big boost from the
features
Federal government, now
have a district-wide network
11 Blown fiber systems see
growth and acceptance
that can support 10-Gbit Vendors enhance product lines as blown fiber increases
Ethernet, Power over
market share in specific regions. BETSY ZIOBRON
Ethernet, VoIP, wireless, and
the most advanced teaching
technologies available.
Stacey Barber, director of
19 Back to school with 10-Gbit Ethernet
Rural Georgia school district acquires E-rate funds to implement
technology for the Emanuel the most advanced UTP cabling available. MICHAEL O’CONNOR
County School District,
oversees the high-speed
interconnectivity.
TO LEARN MORE,
29 IPLM: Why it achieves value
beyond port count
SEE PAGE 19.
Intelligent Physical Layer Management systems can bring
to the physical layer the capabilities that are possible
at higher layers of the network. MICHAEL PULA

37 Feeling hot, hot, hot and not liking it
While heat has always been an issue in data centers, density
makes it a critical concern today. PATRICK McLAUGHLIN

41 Will 802.11n be a good neighbor?
The protocol is being designed to interoperate with legacy
a/b/g access points, with a non-high-throughput duplicate
mode aiding performance. FANNY MLINARSKY
departments
47 Hot-air isolation cools
high-density data centers
4 Editorial
Don’t accept short shrift
Methods for isolating the chilled supply air from the hot return
9 Perspective
air are plenty, and worthy of consideration. IAN SEATON Optical connectivity a good
choice in the data center
55 Cabling considerations for
network-based video
DOUG COLEMAN
77 New Products
The cabling installation professional’s role in the
deployment of video over IP is crucial; so is the need 80 Product Focus:
ENCLOSURES
to perform the tasks well. STEVE SURFARO

59 INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT
■ San Francisco colocation facility expands data center
■ APC launches 3-in-1 data center design tools
■ Acquisition, upgrades move ConEst rapidly forward

CABLING INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE (ISSN 1073-3108), a trademark, is published 12 times a year, monthly, by PennWell Corporation, 1421 South Sheridan Road,
Tulsa, OK 74112; telephone (918) 835-3161; fax (918) 831-9497; Web address www.pennwell.com. Editorial offices: 98 Spit Brook Road, Nashua, NH 03062-5737;
telephone (603) 891-0123. © 2007 CABLING INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE. All rights reserved. Authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use, or the
internal or personal use of specific clients, is granted by CABLING INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE (ISSN 1073-3108), provided that the appropriate fee is paid directly to
Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923 USA; (978) 750-8400. Prior to photocopying items for educational classroom use, please contact
Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923 USA; (978) 750-8400. For further information, check CCC Online at the following address:
http://www.copyright.com/. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted. Bulk reprints can be ordered from Diane Troyer, telephone (603) 891-9135. Corporate
officers: Frank T. Lauinger, Chairman; Robert F. Biolchini, President and CEO.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: CABLING INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE, Circulation Dept., P.O. Box 3280, Northbrook, Il 60065-3280.
Return undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: P.O. Box 1632, Windsor, ON N9A 7C9. Periodicals postage paid at Tulsa, OK 74101 and other additional
offices. Subscriptions: In the U.S.: one year $74; Canada/Int’l surface : one year $84; International via air: one year $100. If available, back issues can be purchased
for $16 in the U.S. and $21 elsewhere. We make portions of our subscriber list available to carefully screened companies that offer products and services that
may be important for your work. If you do not want to receive those offers and/or information, please let us know by contacting us at List Services, CABLING
INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE, 98 Spit Brook Road, Nashua, NH 03062-5737-“Canada return address: PO Box 122, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6S4”.

www.cable-install.com Cabling Installation & Maintenance ■ September 2007 ■ 3

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS F

C Previous Page
A

B F

Chief Editor / Patrick McLaughlin
(603) 891-9222 • patrick@pennwell.com

Executive Editor / Steve Smith

Don’t accept short shrift (603) 891-9139 • stevesm@pennwell.com

Senior Editor / Matt Vincent

O
(603) 891-9262 • mattv@pennwell.com
K, this month I won’t be was anything more than a gratuitous
Circulation Manager / Michelle Blake
as wordy as I normally am. thrashing of all type and manner of (603) 891-9360 • michellb@pennwell.com
That’s mostly because I’m copper-based cabling. Ultimately, the Art Director / Kelli Mylchreest
not allowed to be anymore. As you decision was mine, and that decision
Lead Illustrator / Dan Rodd
may have noticed, the space in which was to run the article with Doug’s
I write my monthly diatribe is no lon- commentary pretty much undiluted. Senior Vice President/Group Publishing Director
Mark Finkelstein
ger a full page; it’s now accompanied That doesn’t mean I personally (603) 891-9133 • mark@pennwell.com
by our editorial masthead, which sits endorse the viewpoint. No more than Associate Publisher/National Sales Manager
to the right of this I endorse the opinion that shielded Ed Murphy
(603) 891-9260 • edm@pennwell.com
writing in the sec- cabling is the clear choice for high-
tion of the page speed systems, which you’ve also CABLING INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE
we affectionately seen on the pages of this publication EXECUTIVE AND EDITORIAL OFFICES
refer to as the in months past. Or, that unshielded PennWell ATD
98 Spit Brook Road
“gutter.” Rumor twisted-pair copper cabling can be Nashua, NH 03062-5737
Tel: (603) 891-0123, fax: (603) 891-9245
has it the reason I engineered to continue to meet the Internet: www.cable-install.com
now have 2/3 of a electrical performance necessary to
page rather than a support the next generation of high- SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES:
For subscriptions or to change your format to print
full page for this column is that with speed signal transmission. It might. or digital, please go to: www.cim-subscribe.com.
less space, I’m less likely to make It might not. Subscriptions outside the USA are available in digital
format only.
superfluous references to movies, my Doug Coleman’s highly opinion-
children, and the Boston Red Sox. ated article appears in this issue for
Once you’re finished reading this a couple of basic reasons. First, he
page (maybe you were done a cou- makes solid arguments based on
CORPORATE OFFICERS
ple of sentences ago), the next article sound technical information. And
Chairman / Frank T. Lauinger
you turn to will be an opinion piece second, I like to think this maga-
written by Doug Coleman of Corning zine is an unbiased forum in which President and Chief Executive Officer
Robert F. Biolchini
Cable Systems. And you won’t have ideas can be exchanged. I learned
Chief Financial Officer / Mark C. Wilmoth
to get too far into it—simply reading a long time ago not to tell you, our
the headline might suffice—before it audience, what to think. You can and ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY DIVISION
becomes clear he is a man of strong do think for yourselves. If we can Senior Executive Assistant
Carol Woodward
opinions, and has the ability to artic- give you more to think about, we’re Tel: (603) 891-9112, fax: (603) 891-9287
ulate them pretty clearly. doing our jobs. carolw@pennwell.com
In his opinion piece, Doug (as in If you disagree with anything you VP Audience Development / Gloria S. Adams
Doug Mientkiewicz, the Red Sox first see in this or any other issue of the
baseman who recorded the final out magazine, you are not only welcome ATD PUBLISHING SERVICES DEPARTMENTS
of the 2004 World Series—hah!) Cole- but also encouraged to let me know. Art Director / Meg Fuschetti

man makes the case that fiber-optic As Doug Coleman’s article indicates, Production Director / Mari Rodriguez
(603) 891-9193 • marir@pennwell.com
cabling systems are clearly superior I’d like all opinions to be heard.
to copper-based systems and are the Marketing Communication Manager
Kristen Jones
wise choice, if not the only real choice, (603) 891-9425 • kristenj@pennwell.com
for high-speed communications. Ad Traffic Manager / Jackie Linker
Once we received the article here (918) 832-9314 • jackiel@pennwell.com

in our editorial department, it was PATRICK McLAUGHLIN
Mc
the topic of several conversations, Chief Editor PRINTED IN THE USA GST NO. 126813153
most of which debated whether it patrick@pennwell.com
Publications Mail Agreement Number 40052420

4 ■ September 2007 ■ Cabling Installation & Maintenance www.cable-install.com

C Previous Page
A

B F

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS
F

THE
PRESENTATION.
THE SIGN-OFF. THE LAST HURDLE
TO THE FINAL APPROVAL OF WHAT YOU
BELIEVED WAS ALREADY OVER.

There comes a moment in every project when each decision
you’ve made is put to the test. Success and failure hang in
the balance, as closing one deal takes longer than pitching
the next. At moments like these, your most crucial decision
was actually one of your ﬁrst: your distributor. If it’s Graybar,
you’re not on your own. Our nationwide supply chain, local
support network and trusted suppliers stand ready for any
‘moment of truth’ you encounter. So keep pushing forward;
we’ll be right there.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT ___________ OR CALL 1-800-GRAYBAR (472-9227).
GRAYBAR.COM/CORNING

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS
F

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS
F

Turn your cable tester into an OTDR

N E T W O R K S U P E R V I S I O N

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS
F

C Previous Page
A

B F

and watch the transformation begin.

See how the DTX Compact OTDR Module can turn
your cable tester into an OTDR and your staff
into fiber experts – to completely transform
your fiber business.

Imagine. A cable tester that becomes a compact,

easy-to-use, full-featured OTDR. Better yet, imagine

what that means for your business. A single tool to

test copper and fiber. An OTDR your current tech-

nicians can easily use. Fiber jobs you couldn’t do

before. Just snap the DTX Compact OTDR module

onto a DTX mainframe – the industry’s benchmark for

cable certification – now you’re ready

to test like a fiber expert. Perform

Basic (Tier 1) and Extended (Tier 2)

fiber certification. Perform powerful

single-ended troubleshooting. Deliver

professional documentation. Win jobs

that require OTDR testing and watch

your revenue and profits increase. Get

the new DTX Compact OTDR and watch

the transformation begin.

Go to www.flukenetworks.com/seehow to enter to
win a DTX Compact OTDR and see a live demo.

©2007 Fluke Corporation. All rights reserved. 02177

C Previous Page
A

B F

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGSF

LABELING
DOESN’T GET ANY

EASIER.
NEW RHINO 6000.
Exclusive features.
Extreme control.
Create labels on a PC and download to RHINO
6000. Or create and print your labels at the
worksite. Either way, rugged and affordable
RHINO 6000 simplifies labeling with advanced
functions that are genuine time-savers. And
RHINO labels stay stuck, long after you’re gone.
• PC-connectivity for fast label downloads
– and uploads for documentation purposes
• Over 250 easy-to-find, pre-programmed
industry terms and symbols save you time
• ”Hot Keys” for instant wire and cable
wraps, flags, vertical and fixed length
labels, patch panels, distribution modules
and more
• Intuitive graphical interface lets you
PC CONNECTIVITY create, edit and preview multiple labels
on our largest backlit LCD
• Save and recall over 1,000 custom labels
including industry terms, graphics, logos
WIN and symbols
• Integrated impact bumpers
• Prints on RHINO labels up to 1” wide

www.rhinolabeling.com
__________________

FOR YOUR
ENTER YamahaTO WIN
One of Five
CHANCE
Rhino 4x4s!
© 2007 DYMO - A Newell Rubbermaid Company 29124

No purchase necessary to enter or win. A purchase will not increase your chance of winning. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., age 21
or older. Void where prohibited. Enter online at www.rhinopromo.com between 12:00:00 am EST 3/8/07 and 11:59:59 pm EST 11/30/07 (“Promotion Period”),
Details at www.rhinopromo.com or at participating industry tradeshows and retailer events during the Promotion Period. Subject to official rules available at www.rhinopromo.com.

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGSF

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS F

Optical connectivity a
good choice in the data center
O
ptical connectivity can than 10 Gbits/sec on copper links tional Electrotechnical Commis-
maximize a data cen- is doubtful due to the required sion (IEC; www.iec.ch) have not yet
________

ter’s overall operations distances in the data center as well been completed. So, all Category 6A
efficiency. Optical cable with as the LAN. networks installed before the stan-
laser-optimized 50-μm OM3 dards are completed are effectively
fiber provides bandwidth capabili- 10-Gig on twisted pair proprietary solutions withpotential
ties that support up to 10-Gbit/sec Category 6 UTP copper cable has interoperability issues. Minimal
transmission for existing applica- been widely deployed in data cen- 10-Gig interoperability has been
tions as well as future-data-rate ters, but it has limitations associ- demonstrated among differ-
applications of 16 Gbits/sec to ated with supporting 10-Gbit/sec ent Category 6A and hardware
100 Gbits/sec and beyond. The transmission. The cable reach is manufacturers.
transmission per- rated in the range of 37 to 55 meters, Shielded Category 6 and 7 cop-
formance, data-rate but many industry experts believe per cables are also being considered
scalability, pathway- that anything longer than 37 meters in place of UTP copper cables for
and-space utilization, may be subject to alien crosstalk 10-Gig operation. UTP cables have
electronics port densi- because of theextended operating been the de facto copper cables used
ty, power and cooling frequency. in North America. In comparison,
efficiencies, and ease of Category 6 performance issues shieldedcopper cables have rare-
installation and test- prompted development of Cat- ly been deployed due to special
ing are factors that egory 6A, which is intended installation and termination
make optical con- to support 10-Gbit/sec opera- practices. Thecable’s stiffness,
nectivity a serious contender to tion up to 100meters. Category 6A weight, and large bend radii, as
10GBase-T and copper connectiv- cable, however, typically increases well as grounding and bond-
ity in the data center. the outside diameter of previ- ing issues, make it complex to
IEEE 802.3ae released the op- ous-generation Category 6 copper install. In addition, some in the
tical 10-Gbit Ethernet standard cable by about 40% in an attempt to industry believe they present Power
in 2002, with the 10GBase-SR mitigate internal and external noise over Ethernet (PoE) concerns
physica l media dependent impairments. Such a cable design related to heat dissipation.
(PMD) for short-range links can be more challenging to route The extended operating
up to 300 meters emerging as through network pathways and frequency range of 10-Gbit copper
the dominant and best-suited requires more complex testing and cable requires higher power con-
10-Gbit connectivity solution in field-termination methods than a sumption (10 to 15 watts) of the
the data center using OM3 fiber. single, slender fiber-optic cable. 10-Gbit interfaces due to increased
The 10GBase-T sta nda rd, When copper connectivity is used, insertion loss and the need to over-
approved in 2006, provides guid- most 10-Gig copper systems will come internal and external crosstalk
ance for 10-Gbit transmission on likely require removal of legacy Cat- issues. Electronic digital signal
4-pair twisted-pair copper cable egory 6 UTP cable and installation processing (DSP) techniques are
within a 500-MHz bandwidth. But of Category 6A . To date, the Cat- required to correct internal noise
the outlook for transmission faster egory 6A detailed cable standards impairments, which contrib-
DOUG COLEMAN is manager of technology
from the Telecommunications In- ute significantly to the inherent
and standards with Corning Cable Systems dustry Association (TIA; www. ____ time delay while recovering the
(www.corningcablesystems.com).
________________ tiaonline.org) and the Interna-
_________ continued on page 68


C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS F

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS F

Fiber on Demand TM

> The world’s most advanced fiber optic infrastructure for the enterprise network.
>ESPN >Pentagon >USAA >Starbucks Coffee >National Institutes of Health (NIH) >CNN >Mayo Clinic
>Johns Hopkins University >DFW International Airport >Atlanta Motor Speedway >Nissan...and more.

AIR-BLOWN FIBER®

Call for your free sample kit. 877.356.FLEX (3539) W W W. F U T U R E F LE X . CO M
________________________

© 2 0 0 4 S u m i t o m o E l e c t r i c L i g h t w a ve

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS F

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS F

www.cable-install.com design

Blown ﬁber systems
see growth and acceptance

F irst installed in the
mid-1980s by British Telecom
for use in outside-plant (OSP)
Vendors enhance product lines as
blown fiber increases market share
in specific markets and regions.
applications, blown optical
fiber is a system in whichfiber is blown into a network
of microduct tubes via an air-delivery system of com-
pressed air or nitrogen. While blown fiber still represents
a very small percentage of the premises marketplace,
and critics continue to question the system’s fiber pro-
tection and cost savings, acceptance is being fueled by
new standards and the buy-in of some key customers.
Meanwhile, vendors continueto enhance their systems
with new products and features, and manyclaim growth
in specific marketsegments.

Gaining ground
“We’re now seeing real live applications that require
a lot more bandwidth and create an increased
demand for fiber,” says Kurt Templeman, product man-
ager for Sumitomo Electric Lightwave, which man-
ufactures the FutureFLEX air-blown optical fiber
system (www. futureflex.com). “That, combined with
______________

fiber-rich customers, is certainly helping the blown
fiber market.”
According to Sumitomo, acceptance of blown fiber has
improved, and the company has experienced significant Emtelle recently launched blowing equipment that allows install-
growth in the commercial premises marketplace where ers to blow in ﬁber with counts of 1 to 96 using a single machine,
they focus their efforts. sharply reducing setup time.
“The technology is not so far out in left field any-
more, and there are many ‘who’s who’ that are install- Avoiding disruption during network expansions and
ing it, which is giving much more credibility to the reconfigurations continues to be a huge factor in determin-
technology,” says Templeman. As an example, the compa- ing which market segments experience the most growth. As a
ny says that blown fiber at McCarran International Air- result, most blown fiber vendors are experiencing success in
port in Las Vegas led to similar airport projects, including areas like convention centers, stadiums, airports, hospi-
Dallas/Forth Worth, Miami International, and Boston’s tals, and military applications.
Logan. “Blown fiber eliminates disruption of day-to-day busi-
ness operations when changes are required,” says Tibor
BETSY ZIOBRON is a freelance writer and regular contributor to Cabling van Melsem Kocsis, commercial director for Emtelle
Installation & Maintenance. She can be reached at: bziobron@comcast.net
Maintenance. (www.emtelle.com), manufacturer of the Fiber- ➤
____________


C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS F

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS F

flow blown fiber system. “There is no opening of the ceilings, operate blown fiber technology to communicate with great-
and these customers can literally ask one person to go to the er clarity, cooperate more efficiently, and design and install
central office and blow in new fiber.” increasingly effective blown fiber systems.
According to van Melsem, lack of disruption is also sig- IEC 60794-6, Microduct Cabling for Installation by Blow-
nificant in fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) applications where ing, covers OSP products and addresses issues like optical
Emtelle is gaining traction throughout Europe. “When you fiber, microducts, installation and operating conditions, and
look at FTTH in urban areas, disruption is even more of an testing and quality assurance. The test methods called out in
issue,” he explains. “In Germany, there are several cities where the standard are based on the already widely accepted IEC
nobody gets a permit to dig up a street. In some of those areas, 60794-12 standard. Currently in draft form, two other stan-
we have installed microducts throughout sewer systems that dards (IEC 60794-5-10 and 60794-5-20) will further detail the
allow communities to blow in fiber to specific locations.” acceptance criteria for the testing of mini-cables and fiber unit
General Cable (www.generalcable.com), which offers the
_______________ systems. It is expected that these standards will be finalized
Blolite system, has not seen as much growth in the commer- late this year or early 2008.
cial arena, but has experienced success in military and non- Although the new IEC standard will have more influ-
military specialty markets. “We ence in Europe than in the
are gaining traction in specialty United States, domestic manu-
markets because these customers facturers believe it can only help
can really see the value of replac- the acceptance of blown fiber
ing the fiber, and many of the ap- technology here. “It certainly can’t
plications require infrastructures hurt us to have a standard, but only
to be spec’d in for 50 or 60 years,” time will tell what its influence will
says Greg Carnes, fiber product be here in the U.S.,” says Carnes of
manager for General Cable. General Cable.
Acceptance is also being fueled by Some vendors focus more on
an increase in the number of com- blown fiber technology than
panies focusing on the technology, others, but all continue to promote
such as Prysmian (formerly Pire- their products with new features
lli Cables and Systems), Ericsson and technologies. Sumitomo Elec-
of Sweden, and Dura-Line. “We’ve tric Lightwave recently expanded
seen a huge increase in the number its FutureFLEX product line with
of companies that have moved into new hybrid fiber bundles that the
blown fiber,” says van Melsem. “It’s company says can yield a three-
good to have competition because fold increase in efficiency for each
that means people see that there is individual tube.
a market for this technology.” “We’re now seeing a wide array
in the types of fiber coming into
Standards to boot network operation centers because
For years, critics of blown fiber customers are laying multiple
have pointed out the lack of stan- topologies over the same back-
dards as one of the foremost issues Blown optical ﬁber is a system in which ﬁber is blown into bone infrastructure,” says Tem-
for not supporting the technology; a network of microduct tubes via an air delivery system of pleman. “These customers require
however, The International Elec- compressed air or nitrogen. (Source: General Cable) different types for various applica-
trotechnical Commission (IEC; tions, like voice, data, security, and
www.iec.ch) recently published the fi rst global blown fiber
_______ building automation, which is why we decided to offer the
standard (IEC 60794-5), which included definitions of blown hybrid bundle.”
fiber products and a test menu for customers. These new hybrid bundles allow traditional 50- and 62.5-μm
“While the IEC standard won’t be the driving factor for multimode, singlemode, and laser-optimized 50-μm fiber to
market growth in Europe, it will definitely help; when tech- share one of FutureFLEX’s 19 tubes, whereas previously they
nology is written down in standards, it always has more were blown into one or more of the inner tube cells, requiring
credibility,” says van Melsem. According to Emtelle, the a two-step fiber insertion.
standard will enable those who manufacture, install, and Emtelle has focused most of its recent efforts on ➤


C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS F

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS
F

Like the Mars Rover’s continuing leadership in the exploration of space, Mohawk’s
GigaLAN10™ UTP copper cable continues to lead the way in supporting 10GbE.
Mohawk’s GigaLAN 10, the highest performance Augmented Category 6 cable
to support 10 BASE-T to a full 100 meters, exceeds the latest IEEE and TIA/EIA
requirements. GigaLAN10’s patented inner FlexWeb®
construction, combined with their unique jacketed
designs, knocks out concerns with alien crosstalk in
the emerging Augmented Category 6 requirements.
Mohawk leaps over the competition to stay ahead
of technology for all topologies. For more information
visit www.mohawk-cable.com or call 800-422-9961.

MOHAWK
Cabling Excellence for Open Architecture

VISIT OUR BOOTH #603 AT BISCI, LAS VEGAS

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS
F

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS F

driving FTTH,” says van Melsem. “We’re seeing things like
local authorities investing with commercial companies
to improve the infrastructure. Denmark alone, which is a
relatively small country, has 1.3 billion Euros reserved to build
out FTTH.”
Van Melsem adds, “When it comes to FTTH, investments
can be easily upgraded when takeup rate goes up. Main-
tenance is cheaper, and the use of preterminated blown
fiber reduces the amount of labor and specialized skills
required.”
The FTTH market in the U.S., however, does not offer as
much growth potential. “Incumbent service providers like
Verizon are not bending over backwards to put in blown
fiber,” says Templeman. “The cost models in Europe don’t nec-

In Europe, blown fiber is a popular means of bringing fiber to the home,
which means that a fiber-optic system sometimes must travel through
difficult terrain. (Source: Emtelle)
products that contribute economically to the acceptance
of blown fiber to the home by driving down the cost of
labor, which can account for nearly 70% of the total cost
for a FTTH investment. “As soon as we can drive down that
cost of labor, by either reducing the amount of labor required
or simplifying the process, that has a huge impact on the
total cost,” says van Melsem. “We believe that training is one
of the key differentiators that make a blown fiber installa-
tion successful. By offering focused, simple training, consul-
tants, engineers, and installers can understand the various
dynamics involved and provide better, faster installations.”
Emtelle has also introduced a full line of enclosures that are
geared toward blown fiber systems, and also recently launched
blowing equipment that lets installers blow in fiber with counts
of 1 to 96 on the same machine. “The new blowing equipment
allows installers to reduce setup time and become very familiar Sumitomo reports significant growth in deployment of its FutureFLEX
with one machine,” says van Melsem. “When it comes to labor blown fiber system in the commercial premises marketplace where the
costs, we see reducing setup time as a real benefit.” company focuses its efforts.
While blown fiber is not a huge focus for General Cable, the
company says it is a good product line that it will continue to essarily work here in the U.S. They have a lot more multiple-
promote. General Cable’s Blolite is available in all fiber types, dwelling units and historical concerns than we do.”
and the company recently introduced a larger 19-tube cable.
“Because we’ve been successful in specialty markets, we can Global reach
continue to make product enhancements and offer our prod- The Middle East is another region showing recent interest
ucts in the commercial space as well,” says Carnes. in blown fiber technology,with daily requests coming out of
countries like Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and United Arab Emir-
Worldwide potential ates (UAE), where a lot of money is being targeted to build,
Throughout the world, blown fiber has growth potential in sev- or rebuild and revitalize, the region. Installers and designers
eral specific markets and regions. In Europe, the most signifi- in that region are considering which technology they should
cant area for growth is in the FTTH market, where labor rates invest in, and certain regulations are pushing some
are high, operating expenses are of constant concern, and the installers to consider blown fiber.
business models are an advantage. “Here in Iran, we have a producer of traditional fiber that
“There are quite a few business models in Europe that are our government urges all the installers to buy from,” ➤


C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS F

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS
F

_____________

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS
F

C Previous Page
A

B F

explains Naser Vahidi, an Iranian General Cable has experienced success in the
installer. “If we want to work indepen- military and non-military specialty markets
dently, we have to approach our projects with its Blolite blown fiber system.
with another type of solution, like blown
fiber. “ military and specialty applications.
A good deal of blown fiber is being “When it comes to hospitals, blown fi-
installed in Dubai, UAE, which has ber offers a very clean installation that
recently attracted worldwide attention saves IT departments so much hassle with
through innovative real estate projects infections disease control agencies and
and is increasingly developing as a hub officers,” says Manning. “Once the tubes
for IT and finance. “Dubai has unbeliev- are installed, they can blow fiber any-
able structures, and they want everything where without disturbing the airflow or
to be the most advanced,” says Alexandra having to move patients to accommodate
Manning, marketing communications installation.”
manager with Sumitomo. “Money is not Despite better acceptance and growth,
an issue, and they understand that they product enhancements, and worldwide
have many resources to protect, they’re potential, blown fiber technology still has
going to have a lot of changes, and the an uphill climb. “Acceptance has a lot to
blown fiber system makes the most sense.” do with the period of time that a market or region has been
familiar with the technology, “ says van Melsem. “When we
Healthcare opportunities deal with customers that have been deploying traditional tech-
In the U.S., the most potential for growth continues to be the nology for a long period of time, it makes it more complicated
healthcare, education, and entertainment industries, as well as to convince them otherwise. That’s human nature.”

They’ll
ROCK
Your
World!
Get top performance from our new
family of fiber optic test equipment!
These precision instruments will amaze you in terms
of their performance and affordability. They’re also
easy to use, enabling you to take center stage as
you fly through fiber optic test routines. These units
are equipped with impact-resistant rubber boots
and are made to take whatever you dish out.

1.800.5000.FIS
161 Clear Road • Oriskany, NY 13424
Tel: 315.736.2206 • Fax: 315.736.2285
info@fiberinstrumentsales.com
www.fiberinstrumentsales.com


C Previous Page
A

B F

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS
F

____________________________

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS
F

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS F

1990s
1970s Shielded
“Vampire” Modular
Tap Jack

1980s
4 Position
Data
Connector

Follow The Leader In Shielded Technology

The new AMP-TWIST Jack is
our latest shielded product evolution.
It can be terminated and grounded
in about 90 seconds, quicker and
more reliably than any similar product
on the market.

Tyco Electronics has always been forward, have been the leading Proceed With Confidence
on the cutting edge of shielded advocate for shielded technology If you are considering upgrading
technology. We have been designing across the globe. to a 10 G solution, then come to
and manufacturing quality shielded the brand that knows shielded best!
communications products for more Tyco Electronics has always believed Visit www.ampnetconnect.com to
than three decades. In fact, we what the industry is just now see why a high performance 10 G
introduced our first fully shielded realizing, that a Shielded System is Shielded Cabling System from Tyco
twisted pair cabling products in by far the best choice for today’s Electronics is the best choice for
the early ‘80s – and from that point 10 G performance requirements. your structured cabling needs.

Tyco Electronics, TE Logo, AMP AMP NETCONNECT, NETCONNECT, and AMP-TWIST are trademarks.
,
Other products, logos, and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Please join us at the 2007 Fall Conference (booth # 802) to see why our 10 G solution is right for you.
1-800-553-0938 www.ampnetconnect.com

C Previous Page
A

Next Page EMaGS F

C Previous Page
A

B F

www.cable-install.com installation

Back to school
with 10-Gbit Ethernet

E ncompassing
square miles and slightly
686

more than 22,000 residents,
Rural Georgia school district acquires
E-rate funds to implement the most
advanced UTP cabling available.
Emanuel County includes
Swainsboro and seven surrounding communities
located in east-central Georgia, 90 miles west of Savan-
nah. Here in this rural area, a county school district
believes a strong educational program in each of its
eight schools is the foundation for a thriving and pro-
gressive community.
Even more unexpected is the district’s forward-think-
ing approach as it embarks on the installation of a new
district-wide network capable of supporting 10 Gigabit
Ethernet (10GbE) and today’s most advanced network
technologies.

Years in the making
Originally implemented in the mid 1990s, the network
serving Emanuel County’s schools included a mix of
Category 4, Category 5, fiber, leased T-1 circuits, and
10-Mbit/sec switches that by 2004 no longer served the
needs of students and faculty.
“Every time we needed more connectivity, we would
add another low-end switch,” says Jerry Stefansen, for-
mer director of technology who stayed on as part-time
project consultant for the district, following retirement
in 2005. “We ended up with too much cabling and dai-
sy-chaining that eventually became a huge wiring night-
mare. We were also having constant repairs and requests
for higher-speed applications.” Stacey Barber, director of technology for the Emanuel County
In fall 2004, Butch Frye, superintendent for the dis- School District, examines a connection that was part of the
trict, challenged the schools to move forward and district’s recent $2.8-million network upgrade.
replace the network instead of just fi xing what was
already in place. Armed with nearly a $500,000 com- local option sales tax, the school district embarked on
mitment from the community through an approved the task of planning the network and applying for the
remaining 83% of funds through the federal govern-
MICHAEL O’CONNOR is a technical marketing director for Hubbell ment’s Schools and Libraries Program, commonly known
Premise Wiring, Inc. (www.hubbell-premise.com), a subsidiary of Hubbell
_____________ as E-Rate. (See sidebar, “What is E-Rate?,” page 20.)
Inc. He is an active member of the TIA, IEEE, BICSI, and CSI. “In the E-Rate application process, we included ➤


C Previous Page
A

B F

C Previous Page
A

B F

What is E-Rate?
U nder the direction of the Federal Communications Com-
mission, the Universal Service Administrative Company
(USAC) administers the Schools and Libraries Program of the
Universal Service Fund, commonly known as “E-Rate.” The
E-Rate fund provides discounts to assist most U.S. schools and
libraries in obtaining affordable telecommunications services.
Funding, ranging from 20 to 90%, depends on the level of
poverty and urban/rural status of the specific population being
served. It covers four categories: telecommunications services;
Internet access; internal connections; and basic maintenance
of internal connections.
To apply for E-Rate funds, applicants must first prepare a
technology plan to demonstrate clear goals, a professional
development strategy, needs assessment, required budget,
and evaluation process. Once the plan is approved, applicants
complete a Form 470 to describe the specific products, ser-
vices, and functions being requested.
“Instead of a formal bidding process like you have in the com-
mercial marketplace, the E-Rate Form 470 becomes a world-
wide RFP [request for proposal] that anyone can read and
Systems & Solutions Inc.’s Avery Hinson, RCDD, and Arvin Weaver, lead
respond to,” says Jerry Stefansen, former director of technology
technician, check some of the 2,400 Augmented Category 6 connec-
and part-time project consultant for Emanuel County School
tions meant to support 10-Gigabit Ethernet transmission.
District. “For our recent project, we put absolutely everything
we needed on that form. We had several companies bid on
either part or all of the project, and we evaluated each response The technology plan for Emanuel School District was
as E-Rate requires us to do.” approved and open for bid through E-Rate. When Atlanta-
Once the applicant selects a service provider or contrac- based Systems & Solutions, Inc. (SSI; www.systemsandsolutions.
tor, that applicant must complete Form 471 Services Ordered net) bid on the project, the district felt their response was the
__
and Certification Form, which is the actual request for funding. most creative and comprehensive.
The process then enters a Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) Applying for E-Rate funds can be a lengthy process, which
review, which includes proof of funds for non-discounted por- for Emanuel County School District meant its share of paper-
tions of the budget, questions and clarifications, verification of work. “We started planning in late 2004 and submitted our
certifications and statements, and other requirements.
application in February 2006,” says Barber. “It was another
“We had to answer several questions, which required a
eight months before we were officially approved for E-Rate
lot of time and research,” says Stefansen. “They scrutinize
funds.” The final budget for the project ended up at nearly
every aspect of a project and ask the right questions. Since first
applying for E-Rate funds nearly a decade ago, I’ve seen a huge $2.8 million, with E-Rate providing approximately $2.3
improvement in the review process and in their understanding million. The project then moved forward with an expected
of the technology. Having E-Rate put their stamp of approval completion before the start of the 2007-2008 academic year,
on a project means that it’s a good project.” three years following the superintendent’s initial request.
Once the Form 471 is approved, applicants and service
providers submit further forms to indicate that services have Choosing first-class solutions
begun and to receive payment. More information is avail- By the time the project was approved for funding through
able by visiting www.usac.org and clicking on Schools and E-Rate, technology had evolved significantly. Voice over IP
Libraries.—MO (VoIP), Power over Ethernet (PoE), and 10-Gigabit network
speeds had become a reality. As the project progressed, SSI
everything from switches to cabling to telephony, but we did suggested the possibility of selecting an Augmented Cate-
not call for a specific type of cabling or vendor at that time,” gory 6 (Category 6A) unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable
explains Stacey Barber, the district’s current director of tech- capable of supporting 10GbE over a 100-meter channel
nology. “We simply stated that we wanted the very latest in copper the ratified IEEE 802.3an 10GBase-T standard and
per and fiber technology to carry us forward at least another TIA 568-B.2-10 draft standard.
10 years and support the advanced applications we desired.” Looking toward the future, Emanuel School District ➤


C Previous Page
A

B F

Cim 20070901 sep_2007

Recomendados

Recomendados

Mais conteúdo relacionado

Destaque

Destaque (20)

Semelhante a Cim 20070901 sep_2007

Semelhante a Cim 20070901 sep_2007 (20)

Mais de Carlos Alberto Bonatto

Mais de Carlos Alberto Bonatto (20)

Último

Último (20)

Cim 20070901 sep_2007