Structured Cabling and Its Benefits for Data Centers – Part 1
As the demand for data grows exponentially, data center space requirements are increasingly becoming critical factors for businesses. Thus, both modularity and scalability must be incorporated into the design of cabling infrastructure. There is also a greater emphasis on making cooling more efficient and decreasing energy usage to reduce costs.
Nowadays, modern data centers should strive to implement a well-designed structured cabling system. The following will provide an overview of this system and discuss the benefits derived from its implementation in a data center.
Point-to-Point Cabling
A system of point-to-point cabling utilizes direct connections, which are also known as home runs. Devices like servers, storage units, and switches are connected to other devices with jumper cables.
Over time, data center connections gradually increase in number merely from a normal rate of growth. As a result, the maintenance of a point-to-point cabling system will gradually become more difficult. Each replacement, addition or upgrade of equipment will result in encountering cabling from other units, resulting in cables becoming tangled. These is known in the industry as “spaghetti cabling.”
A point-to-point cabling system can cause necessary stress on cables that negatively affect data throughput. There is also a reduction of airflow, shortening the service life of equipment due to higher temperatures. Energy consumption will also increase, resulting in higher utility costs.
Structured Cabling
The most prominent feature of a structured cabling system is the Main Distribution Area (MDA), into which all connections are run. As defined by TIA-942 Standard, the MDA is the central distribution point for the structured cabling system of a data center.
Structured cabling deploys a series of trunks or patch panels that can connect to hardware. These patch panels then link to another patch panel within the MDA, the nerve center of a structured cabling system.
MACs (moves, additions, and changes) at the MDA can be accomplished with ease by using short patch cords.
Part 2 will discuss Benefits of Structured Cabling, Importance of Performance, and High Quality Cables.
Progressive Office Cabling
Founded in 1986, Progressive Office’s success has been a direct result of years of commitment to seeking cost-effective solutions. Working together, Progressive teams are committed to getting your data cabling, access control, and telecom systems installed and operating while minimizing disruption and downtime. Call our toll free number (800) 614-4560 today.
