Comparison of the principles of the two electronic distribution frames (1)

Nowadays, the electronic distribution frame is no longer a new concept, and the use of intelligent management of the wiring system is the trend of the times. Almost all wiring manufacturers have launched their own electronic wiring rack solutions, which are dazzling. This article aims to make the simplest division and comparison of many electronic distribution frame systems, so that the decision makers can be aware of the problems.

All manufacturers' solutions can be divided into two types based on their principles: Port detection and link detection. However, the solutions can be divided into single distribution frame mode and dual distribution frame mode based on the wiring structure, patch cords can be divided into general jumpers and 9-pin jumpers. The distribution frame production process can be divided into the original type and post-mounted sensor pattern. I am afraid that the two monks will not be able to understand the details at the end. In fact, as long as you start to analyze the principles, you can grasp the key points and clarify the ideas.

We should understand a basic principle of designing an electronic distribution frame, that is, to help network administrators manage the wiring system. When talking about management, the first step is to have a link database. No matter whether the database is written on paper or stored on a computer disk, it is impossible for network administrators without this database to talk about wiring management. In the face of the wire distribution frame of the webshell, the network administrator will feel a sigh of relief. However, traditional cabling systems use manual methods to record the link relationship of cabling. Even if some wiring management software is used, once the wiring link changes, such as a jumper Operation) it is also necessary for the network administrator to manually update this change to the database. Once such updates are not completed in a timely and correct manner, the link relationships in the link database are inconsistent with the actual physical link relationships, the feeling of Sighs mentioned above will make the network management experience again.

Speaking of this, all people will think of the same proposition. Can the cabling system record the link changes on its own? Of course, this is the electronic distribution frame. The electronic distribution frame has developed into many functions, but its core must meet the requirements of automatic record and new link database functions. Without this function, other functions cannot be called electronic distribution frames. However, there are two ways to implement this function: one is to use the port detection method, and the other is to use the link detection method. Now we will introduce these two approaches separately.

Port Detection Method

The principle of port detection method is to install a touch switch on the port of the RJ-45 or optical fiber, once there is a jumper inserted will touch this touch switch. The touch switch will notify the system that a jumper is inserted into the port. The opposite is true. If there is already a jumper plug in the original port, the system will immediately notify the system once the jumper in the port is pulled out.

The biggest advantage of port probing is that common jumpers can be used. The biggest problem is that it can only find out whether there is a jumper plug in the port, but does not know that the Jumper mounted on the plug is connected there. For example, the system notifies the user to Connect Port A and port B with A jumper, as shown in figure 1. After the command is issued, the system is waiting for the plug-in from ports A and B. Once two ports are successively inserted with jumpers, the system will think that the connection is correct and the jumper is completed, regardless of whether the two ports are connected with one jumper. If two independent Jumpers are inserted on ports A and B, as shown in figure 2, the other end of the Jumper inserted on port A is blank, port B is actually connected to port C. The electronic distribution frame system of the port detection method cannot determine which two ports are connected, A, B, and C, because the touch switches in ports A, B, and C have been touched, you must adjust them manually to achieve the effect. The intelligence of this electronic distribution frame is obviously not high enough.

Link Detection Method

The link detection method adds a wire to a general jumper, which is generally called a 9-core jumper. The electronic distribution frame based on the link detection method uses this wire to determine the port connection status. When the 9-core jumper is connected to two ports, the system detects the link between the two ports through the 9th-core wire and immediately updates it to the link database. In the above case, when the system sends A command to connect to ports A and B, the system must ensure that ports A and B are indeed connected just as they are. If the Jumper connector is inserted on port A and port B, and port A and port B are not connected, that is, no 9th-core wire connects ports A and B, in this way, the system is not recognized. The system must wait until the operator connects the two ports with a 9-core jumper to announce the completion of the Jumper operation. This probe allows the Jumper operation to achieve zero error.