WHAT WE DID DIFFERENTLY
Last year when we planned and installed the backbone fiber network for this campus, we also installed “dual conversion” Minuteman Endeavor UPSs at every node. The school staff and IT contractor knew the power conditions in the campus were poor. So we wanted to ensure that the network wouldn’t dive because power influence was causing cheaper UPS models to miss the mark. For example, true sine wave vs simulated sine wave UPSs are two totally different products. The simulated sine wave isn’t the same, and some networks and equipment will detect the difference in the small amount of time it takes for the UPS switchover from the grid to the battery. That momentary dip in the sine wave (simulated) can wreak havoc on some gear. Then, the dual conversion UPS is a better solution against really bad power or loss of neutral.
We decided upfront and early on to have the school staff designate on their classroom walls where they wanted the drops terminated; thus we would avoid any undocumented CHANGES of the mind later. (A painters’ tape X marks the spot, as shown in the photo below.) Dealing with wire mold on walls that are not straight and in an old building slowed down the installation process. The good news is everyone got what they wanted, where they wanted it, and so far no change orders to move wire mold. Why were two jack insert colors used (Red & White)? Here’s a hint: the photo was taken before we tested and labeled the jacks.
The customer is interested in installing WiFi, and we used the floor plans as a makeshift aerial map to place Cat6 (not Cat5E) drops for access points. Wireless, IMHO, seems to be accelerating faster and I just couldn’t see installing Cat5E drops. It was a gut feeling. I know we’ll be going back, and I can hardly wait to begin testing the wireless solution for penetration. We placed those drops for the access points in hallways. We can easily extend to either side of the hallway, especially since the hard part is having a good wire to extend, and that part is over.
A few tidbits to remember about WiFi:
The IT contractor wanted all the old wiring removed. We don’t just cut wires. We’re very reluctant and slow to move unless we are absolutely sure where the cables go-to and from. So as in years gone by, “Never cut cables,” even when asked or prodded to do so, is still true today. Thus, we ended up coming back, to restore one phone that was spliced into different cables at different places in the building that the IT contractor just wanted out. To redeem ourselves, we were asked by the customer to restore another phone cut off during past remodeling of the teachers lounge.
To summarize: fiber is the best means for interconnecting LAN segments, dual conversion UPS power protects your assets, Cat6 wiring is a hedge for future developments in WiFi, and never cut out old wiring unless you are absolutely certain that the IT guy telling you to do so is willing to let you place earth magnets on all his gear if he is wrong.
WHAT (WHO) WE FOUND
Every building has its skeletons and closets. Only this one has a crawl space that runs from one end all the way to the other, and then there’s an interconnecting crawl space between the two wings. While the crawl spaces don’t interconnect to the other buildings, they do get within reach of the underground conduit connecting them.
Now some folks believe that I am an interconnect company and that means to them that I am willing to go down into a crawl space, dark places, crevices and other long forgotten areas that not even the building maintenance people want to visit. Maybe 30 years ago when I didn’t know any better, but not now. That’s why every school has a scout leader or should have one.
The computer lab had just one lone cable protruding through the floor, spliced to an overhead (over the heads of the students) to another patch cord plugging into a hub. The drop extended through the crawl space all the way to the opposite end of the building and then underground via a 4 inch conduit into another building. First of the all, the drop was well over 300 feet in length and the crawl space was wet, as in “pools of water,” according to the scout leader. My partner in crime offered a free piece of fiber and a free box of Cat5 plenum (temporary run only) to anyone willing to pull them from the computer lab to the conduit feeding the other building. This wasn’t even part of our cabling contract, it was just a suggestion. Thinking back, and knowing that the guy who willingly did this was bigger than either of us, free fiber must have sure sounded tempting--but the devil in trying to get him out if he got stuck? I don’t think we had enough cable lube in all the trucks to free him if he did. I could also tell his wife was not happy. Several days later, the scout leader reappeared. Well, okay, it was hours. It seemed like days as his wife faithfully stood by, silently waiting. Mission accomplished. “Wait until he gets home” was all I could think about. Now, enlisting volunteer work isn’t always a bad thing--support them (Cheering, which we did), provide them with resources (Radio, glow-stick fish rods for pushing through conduit.
In the process of figuring out the logistics (what to do if the scout leader got stuck or lost in the crawl space) we happened upon the athletic room. There we found another demarc – not really an IDF although it was meant to be. Next to the cabling enclosure, we discovered yet another enclosure on an old swing gate, still connected, plugged in and powered on. Being how we are all energy conscious, I made the quick move to turn it off and unplug it. Not to worry- they’re no longer using 1A2 key equipment anywhere in the area. This wasn’t a rare find but just a reminder to those building managers that these old Western Electric power supplies consume a little over 200 WATTS of power. (200 WATTS x 24 hours x 365 days / 1,000 = 1752 kWh of juice per year) These power supplies are largely unused, plugged in and still sucking power all over the country.
Several weeks ago, I promised a few that emailed me that I would be including examples that Telecom is the Place for Entrepreneurs. Property managers may need a wake up call to clean up their wiring closets since what’s in their closets is likely old and unused gear, still plugged in and wasting energy. Then, scrap prices are up and there are tons of unused disconnected wires literally hanging around and you can gently remind them that the National Electric Code calls for removal of unused cabling.
END NOTES
Since putting this article together, we were invited back again to the campus to bring in a WiFi solution and test the penetration, which we did with support from ADTRAN using the Netvanta 1335. We came up short--two access points in areas we already knew would be problems. The penetration however was excellent. We surveyed the entire campus and hope to get invited back again for another installation.
This doesn’t begin to give you all the details, tricks, methods, or even touch on the many building codes and considerations in existing vs. new construction. It’s a moving target. What you should formulate, I hope are key management issues and concerns along with some buying tips of what to look for and what to avoid and still get the cable plant that works best for you. Granted, these examples may seem extreme, but don’t think for a minute that any enterprise or SMB is exempt from bad cabling practices, because they are really quite common and short cuts are in many cable plants. It’s a construction process to learn and appreciate, and in spite of ever-changing technology, the technology itself can be rendered useless without good cabling. Wireless is changing that, faster than I ever imagined and yet, probably not quite fast enough for those wishing to avoid further investments in copper.
In all the years of doing this work, no one has ever asked me to look at the materials, and we’ve often volunteered and taken time to show customers what I discussed here. Once installed, cabling becomes known as a fixed asset to the property and something that you want years and years of in-service life. Whatever the brand, be consistent. The jacks, inserts, patch-panels and patch cords could use some uniformity. I know it seems inane to some, but in a world where not many seem to appreciate details, sometimes those many details are deserving of your attention.
Cabling today cost more than yesterday and will likely cost even more next week than last week. So it deserves attention, getting it right, buying the right stuff and rightly buying so you meet your needs today and hopefully long into the future.
Matt Brunk is president of Telecomworx, a Maryland-based interconnect. He is also a blogger for No Jitter, and a regular speaker at VoiceCon.
