|
Structured Cabling |
|
Data Center A complete data center design and installation must include the placement of server cabinets, equipment racks and cable trays for the purpose of distributing LAN, WAN, SAN, Console, and KVM connectivity. Infrastructure standards organizations continue to play a vital roll in the advancement of cabling systems and interoperability. However, over the years, many of these standards have lagged behind technology advancements. From a technical and implementation stand point, our installations adhere to the applicable standards to the letter. The nomenclature has been expanded to allow for flexibility in placing network layers to accommodate current and future switching technology. Adaptability is the key to the long term success of an infrastructure design. |
|
A structured cabling system in a data center encompasses horizontal and backbone cabling to and from the MDA, HDA and EDA areas. The components that make up the structured cabling system include cable media, termination connectors, media housings, jumpers and wire management. The block diagram (left) illustrates the basic topology used in most data centers today. The media typically chosen for data centers is Category 6 UTP (an augmented Cat 6 UTP my also be considered) and Laser Optimized Multi Mode Fiber. The backbone system is designed to deliver high bandwidth capability in accordance with TIA/EIA-568-B.3-1, IEEE 802.3ae 10GbE, and Fibre Channel standards. |
|
Data Center Topology |
|
Equipment Distribution Area (EDA): The space allocated for end equipment, including computer systems, blade servers, and telecommunications equipment. Fiber Backbone (BB): High bandwidth cabling designed to carry aggregated network traffic to and from the switching fabrics. Horizontal Cross Connect (HC): A field where all horizontal cables are terminated and cross wired by means of jumper cables. Horizontal Cabling (HZ): The cabling between end devices and the cross connect field. Cable media includes shielded and unshielded twisted pair, single mode fiber, multi mode fiber, and 75– ohm coaxial cables. Horizontal Distribution Area (HDA): The area designated for the termination of horizontal cabling and for the installation of networking equipment. Integrated Switch Blade (ISB): A switch blade that plugs directly into the mother board of a blade server chassis. Main Cross Connect (MC): a field were all backbone cables are terminated and cross wired by means of jumper cables. Main Distribution Area (MDA): The area designated for the convergence of backbone cabling and for the installation of the network core equipment. Pathway: A space for the secure placement of the cabling Infrastructure. |
|
PatchRunner System |
|
We recommend and specify the PatchRunner system by Panduit. This system is designed to reduce real estate costs, maximize network reliability, and provide for a flexible system design. The Mini-Com Angled Modular Patch Panels and PatchRunner Vertical Cable Managers deliver a complete solution for data centers and telecommunications rooms. |
|
Horizontal Distribution Area |
|
With the advancements in micro electronics providing condensed packaging, removal of heat has become one of the most challenging issues facing data center designers today. The power density of a fully equipped blade server cabinet is reaching 18kw, and weighting up to one ton. Harbinger has developed a design guide to assist in the process. This design guide illustrates the concepts of designing the data center cabling infrastructure. Although cooling and power are beyond the scope of this design guide, the elements put forth are designed to lessen the thermal impact of placing high-density equipment in a computer room. The focus of the design guide is to create a computer room equipment floor plan and a topology layout. |
|
Design Guide |
