The management of the physical layer of intelligent cabling System

In this article, I will introduce intelligent physical layer management as a whole, and clarify related issues that are relevant to this emerging technology and have not yet been fully elaborated.

What is intelligent cabling system

Intelligent wiring System is the latest development of structured cabling document and management system. Although network administrators are accustomed to paper-based wiring records and subsequent simple spreadsheets, these methods do not real-time view network connectivity. Similarly, although Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) can view network traffic in real time, it is only through the intelligent cabling System (physical layer management) that the network administrator can fully view the complete physical interconnection between the communications.

What is the difference between intelligent cabling system and traditional structured wiring

Intelligent cabling does not change the basis of the structured cabling system, it should be based on RJ45 General 4-line cabling system, but in the communication between the addition of additional functions. The difference between intelligent cabling and traditional structured cabling system is that it can view jumper interconnection. In order to receive this information, there must be some way of sensing or recording the existence of jumper connections. Under ideal conditions, this should be done automatically, reducing the risk of human error. Most systems will use some form of electronic monitoring equipment to transmit this information to the network administrator, which is typically implemented using a relational database. ---http://bianceng.cn (computer science)

Who is using the smart cabling system

In general, intelligent cabling systems are suitable for networks with approximately 1000 or more horizontal connections. If the number of connections is less than 1000, it is often easy to manage using traditional methods, although the value of data on any size network can make smart cabling systems worthwhile. The financial sector is an obvious example, as in a trading room, any interruption of the network can cause very high costs. And looking at some of the advantages of intelligent cabling System, you can see that in many cases can be effectively used in this system, because it can reduce the wiring changes caused by the system interruption. Small law firms dealing with high-value lawsuits may also see the value of smart cabling systems. The biggest determinants are the end-user's knowledge of the value of the data or the loss of data due to lack of information when the system is interrupted, which will determine whether the smart wiring system is economical and practical for these users.

Network management

Network administrators have been using tools such as SNMP and HP OpenView to view connected network devices, connectivity, and activities. The intelligent cabling System makes this management a step further, and it can view jumper connections across the enterprise. For maximum efficiency, smart cabling software must be able to integrate existing management tools, but its operations should not rely on existing management tools. Intelligent cabling systems are usually randomly equipped with a set of basic software. It typically adds functionality in a modular manner, ensuring that the software is compliant and that it conforms to end user requirements.

Reduce interrupt Time

Although any intelligent cabling system does not completely prevent service outages and system paralysis, it can significantly reduce outage time by providing accurate information about network connectivity. If someone mistakenly pulls out a plug line, the system will notify the network administrator in real time, the information will include the unplugged line position and the time to pull out and so on. By providing these details, network administrators can resolve connectivity issues at a much faster rate than before and achieve higher accuracy.

Improve the process of moving, adding, and changing Mac

You can simplify the move, add, and Change (MAC) process by using a computer-generated work order. The progress of these worksheets can be monitored around the world through network connections or, more often, network ports supported by intelligent cabling systems in the communication room. The technician who executes the work order can determine the order in which the move, increase, and change (MAC) is performed, as this is closely related to the physical layout of the active and passive devices, including the connection location. Then the technician can get real-time feedback, accurate understanding of the operation of the plug, check all the connection is correct, function is normal, reduce the same problem two times to run to the scene possibility. All this means that you can move, add, and Change (MAC) with less time and less documentation, reducing labor costs and network disruption costs.


Increase resource utilization
Historically, it is difficult to determine whether the hubs fully fitted with the plug-line are fully utilized. Due to the lack of accuracy of paper records, it is often the case that the network administrator is buying a new hub when the system is inadvertently interrupted by the administrator. By determining the active connection to a network device, an intelligent cabling system can enable network administrators to view device utilization. In this way, you can track idle network capacity, prevent unnecessary purchases of expensive network hardware, and the possibility of accidental disruption of the system.


Protect security

With the ability to integrate the camera, users no longer have to worry about anyone daring to move, add, or change (MAC) illegally. Users can get photos sent by email! Additional types of alarms can be implemented by increasing the optional event recognition feature. The system can also send detailed information about any illegal changes by e-mail. The real-time wiring system can help the burglar, and it can take photos of the people who are stealing in the communications room and the work area.

Disaster recovery

In disaster recovery, a real-time cabling system can provide snapshots of all connection requirements for an affected organization. In addition, precise details of these connectivity requirements can often be budgeted for disaster recovery to ensure that only the services that are actually requested are paid for and not wasted.

Network Audit

By automatically generating audit tracking information, detailed statistical data can be generated for network utilization and related operations to further reduce the interruption time. The day when the webmaster ran to the scene with the Clipboard is gone forever!

Physical implementation

Cabling vendors have been relatively less informative about the physical permutations/limitations and functions of intelligent cabling systems. In order to accurately monitor the horizontal cabling connection, you must somehow verify the connection between each end of the device jumper, which can be achieved in a variety of ways:

1. Provide a "button" on the wiring room and press "button" when inserting/unplugging an insertion line to indicate that the state has changed.

2. The existing 4-line on the system to add a circuit, the use of 4 1/2-wire connector design.

3. A new circuit is added to the existing 4-line system, with an externally installed connector connected to the existing 4-wire pair plug.


The button method is prone to human error. In addition, if the connector is disconnected, but the associated button is not pressed, the system will not be able to detect the system interruption. Opening new circuits is the only way to automate the process, but in view of the need to conform to the global standard of structured cabling systems, a 8-way modular plug (RJ45) is required. As a result, the new circuitry must be located outside of the connector, not integrated into the proprietary system!
What are the requirements of the intelligent Cabling System for installation/configuration?

The physical installation of intelligent Cabling System is not more complicated than standard structured cabling system. In fact, it usually only installs some electronic devices, the process is not very cumbersome, the user simply put these electronic devices in the rack, and then connect it to the horizontal distribution of the cable and the sensor cables and hub port sensors. The real skill of intelligent Cabling System installation is its configuration. These systems rely on a database to provide connection information, which, if improperly set, may result in incorrect or misleading information. Some databases are significantly simpler to run, but they require a large number of configurations. Compared with the traditional wiring installation personnel, this puts forward different quality requirements.

How does this type of system affect the installer's revenue?

At first glance, such systems seem to put all the moves, additions and changes (MAC) processes into the hands of end-users without giving the installer an important source of revenue, but I don't think that's the case. Before uploading a work order to a selected installer, the smart cabling system makes it easier for network administrators to specify the requirements for move, add, and Change (MAC). Especially for remote sites, network administrators have been to the scene in the past to draw up a work order. He may have to execute the move, add, and Change (MAC) personally at the scene. Now, he can make the work order by dragging and dropping the mouse on the normal desktop, assigning the assignment to the local contractor, thus speeding up the moving, adding and changing (MAC) process and reducing the cost. The use of merge points is becoming more prevalent, and rearranging the merge points requires the installer to test after reconfiguration. So the smart cabling system does not cause the installer to lose revenue, but opens up new revenue streams in areas such as software and database support.

What factors should be considered when choosing a smart cabling system?

As with all structured cabling systems, there are several major factors to consider. One of the most important factors is compliance with standards. As an industry, we spend a lot of time telling our customers that conforming to a standard solution is the best solution. Some systems use proprietary connectors, rather than standard entity approved and approved RJ45 connectors. In addition to grandstanding, this presents a number of related issues for testing installed cabling in quantifiable, standards-based ways. After careful examination, some "systems" seem to be more of a collection of spare parts, using one manufacturer's connector in the communication room, and another manufacturer's connector in the workspace. In the event of a problem, where exactly is the demarcation point? General knowledge tells us that we should choose a system from a manufacturer. Of course, any software needs to be included in the system, and the system manufacturer should be able to support the entire product collection, not just traditional connections. You should also be able to integrate other network management tools so that end users can better and more coherently view the network. In support of all network formats, it is also critical to apply existing systems to ensure connectivity across the enterprise network. Of course, this can accelerate the market development, shorten the investment return period.

In a nutshell, the intelligent cabling system may be the most significant innovation in the structural cabling system since the RJ-45 Connector was adopted. When considering an intelligent cabling system as a whole, you should keep the following points in mind:

1. Intelligent Cabling System does not apply to each end user.

2. Intelligent Cabling System does not apply to each installer.

3. Intelligent cabling systems are not necessarily identical.