Today, Middle Eastern-based installers need to know how to build a large data cable network, and they need to be knowledgeable about fibre optic cables as well as copper. James Hunt looks at the technologies, the standards and provides some installation tips:
Data systems are now essential for most businesses. Modern data / telecommunications cabling includes both copper and optical fibre solutions, such as telecom network cables, interconnection systems and data transmission cables.
These meet the needs of LANs, access, long distance and city networks. They have to meet the increasing need for greater bandwidth and data throughput in businesses around the world, not least in Middle Eastern countries. This has resulted in an ever larger, mainly copper-based, Cat6 structured cabling requirement in mainly commercial operations.
Data cabling is moving from being an IT product' to being a commodity building' product, and more and more installers are offering installations. As data rates increase and more technical products become available, a corresponding move from voice cable installations to the latest generation of standards-based cabling for communications has occurred - from Cat5 / Cat5e cables to the 200MHz Cat6.
Cat6 represents a major improvement in terms of getting generic cabling working at modern broadband performance levels. It also ensures that significant 'future-proofing' is automatically built into a data communications system, with forward compatibility assured.
10 Gigabit and above
But is there life after Cat6? The answer is yes and it is Cat7, and also fibre. Cat7 was developed to meet 600MHz bandwidth, now proven. However, this also requires the 60603-7-7 type Cat7 connector, based upon the Cat6 version.
The ubiquitous RJ45 connector is being pushed to its limits for Cat6 installations and whether it can support Cat 6+ frequencies is uncertain. The GG45 connector is, therefore, currently the only RJ45 compatible connector standardised beyond 250MHz.
Fibre optics cable has been around for some time now. For most applications, copper is still probably best. It is well understood, is simple, tough and very reliable. Therefore, while for certain applications, fibre optics will be essential, it is unlikely to replace copper totally for data communications.
Even so, as traditional applications require ever greater bandwidth, and as new applications for local area network (LAN) cabling systems, storage area networks (SANs) and data centres become apparent, more and more fibre networks will be installed. For example, cable giant Nexans has estimated a 40- 60% growth year on year, valued at $5.3bn by 2006.
Enterprise data storage growth confirms this - in 2002, this was 800k Tbytes, but it is estimated that the requirement will be 7m Tbytes by 2006.
Today, high bandwidth multimode fibre is the most common solution for SANs simply because copper cannot really cope at the often required 10Gigabit. Nexans can provide, it says, 'the complete fibre solution' with LANmark-OF3/OF3xt cables, SFF snap-in' couplers, modular panels and all related accessories.
Fibre cables
Fibre, perhaps with modern small form factor (SFF) connectors that improve density, is the best choice for long distances and where there are few terminations, for example, a backbone link. However, SANs tend to have short links with many terminations and, despite the fact that fibre costs 60% more than copper, it is clear that while copper should be ideal for this type of application, in reality, only fibre can currently cope.
Nexans, though, has a track record for providing 10 Gigabit (10GbaseT) data cable systems, such as its 10GbaseCX4 using LANmark-7 GG45. This has been proven to distances to 25m, but there is much interest in 100m applications, now becoming achievable.
Pirelli, another global manufacturer, also supplies a comprehensive portfolio of modern products, including optical fibre, copper cable, premises and data cable, and - in addition - all the connectivity hardware. On the fibre side, Pirelli's Sirocco blown fibre system, plus the rest of its connectivity portfolio, enables planners to provide a total optical infrastructure from the service provider to the end customer. The products have been designed around positive fibre management techniques that ensure, says the company, network flexibility, upgradability and long-term resilience.
Draka Multimedia Cable manufactures innovative cables for data transmission, broadcasting industries, high frequency applications, central office and home networking. These include local and long distance telecom and signalling cables, OFC cables with modern gradient and monomode fibres tailored to special requirements, plus cable laying systems. Cables can be supplied to specific standards.
Installation tips
Because of generally difficult trading in many parts of the world, training has often suffered. Therefore, with increasing numbers of people being involved in installation work, installation practice is becoming increasingly critical. In the UK, existing guidance must generally be followed, and BS 6701:2004 (specification for telecommunications equipment) is now in force.
In the Middle East, as in other areas of the world, installers should install to local standards, but Cats 5 to 7 are global standards. Usually there are clearly defined local requirements and responsibilities for owners and installers - a basis for legal judgements.
In terms of installation, it is important to note, says Nexans, that quality is designed and built on site, and is 'not that which is measured and inspected', important though this is. Neatly made cable bundles not only look more professional (and are easier to work on if trouble occurs); they also make commissioning simpler. Also, don't untwist the pairs, and cable ties that are too tight are not a good plan - ensure that ties allow a little freedom to 'breath' and do not distort cable bundles.
An important factor with increasing bandwidth is to ensure that the minimum external bend radius is 50mm. Failure to do this may result in data loss. Many modern Cat6 data cable management products, such as Mita's Ultra 60 two-compartment PVC trunking, have been designed to address this point.
Ultra 60, which will carry Cat5e, Cat6, Cat7 and fibre optic cables, also separates unscreened power from unscreened data cables. Up to 48 Cat6 cables can be held, and a 50mm deep back box easily accepts the larger RJ45 connectors, making life easier for installers.
Separation between copper data and telecommunications cables and mains power cables should be as big as possible, because of electromagnetic and radio frequency noise. Fibre is immune. Also, firebreak integrity must be maintained.
For those installers used to UTP, it's quite a jump to a fully screened system (for example, it's essential that screen terminations are the same length). Some manufacturers will provide training.
An important point is to pay very careful attention to detail, and to the proper labelling of cables, as well as to the patching. This makes for a neater job and helps future maintenance.
The future
Increasingly, manufacturers may provide guarantees for installations using their components. For example, in the UK, Merlin Gerin's system guarantee ensures that any of its VDI Network Solutions installed cabling infrastructures will conform to the now mandatory BS 6701.
Such schemes are likely to become common in other parts of the world in relation to local standards. In another service, Nexans' audit services provide network managers with a baseline to make informed investment decisions.
It is likely that manufacturers' solutions will allow installers to offer instant warranties through on-line certification and, generally, interactive web-based services will become more common. Installations will become increasingly easy to expand, and will include more compatible and simple to use products.
Other developments will lead to higher frequencies with more specifications beyond the existing Cat6. Lower insertion losses will be required, and a brand new requirement is that of 'alien cross talk' (AXT). This refers to uncancellable noise in a bundle or group of copper cables.
© Middle East Electricity 2004
