Network Infrastructure Blog

In a welcome nod to keeping things simple, the 2012 edition of IEEE Std 802.3 will feature a new and succinct title.  The unwieldy name of IEEE Std 802.3-2008 is:

IEEE Standard for Information technology –Telecommunications and information exchange between systems – Local and metropolitan area networks – Specific requirements Part 3: Carrier sense multiple access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) Access Method and Physical Layer Specifications

The title of the 2012 edition is expected to be:

Standard for Ethernet

Kind of makes one wonder how we ended up with such an awkward title in the first place?!  Kudos to the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Working Group for making our lives a little easier.

The IEEE 802.3 Maintenance Task Force is developing the 2012 edition of IEEE Std 802.3, which will incorporate approved maintenance changes and the content of the following standards:

IEEE Std 802.3at-2009 (DTE Power Enhancements),
IEEE Std 802.3av-2009 (10Gb/s PHY for EPON),
IEEE Std 802.3az-2010 (Energy-efficient Ethernet),
IEEE Std 802.3ba-2010 (40Gb/s and 100Gb/s Ethernet),
IEEE Std 802.3bc-2009 (Ethernet Organizationally Specific type, length, values  (TLVs)),
IEEE Std 802.3bf-2011 (Ethernet Support for the IEEE P802.1AS Time Synchronization Protocol),
IEEE Std 802.3bg-2011 (40Gb/s Ethernet Single-mode Fibre PMD), and
IEEE Std 802.3-2008/Cor1-2009 (Pause Reaction Delay Corrigendum)

Refer to the IEEE 802.3 Maintenance Public Area for further information.

The ANSI/TIA-607-B “Generic Telecommunications Bonding and Grounding (Earthing) for Customer Premises” published August, 2011.  This Standard specifies a grounding and bonding infrastructure that will ensure reliable operation of all telecommunications equipment and systems independent of cabling media type.  The grounding and bonding system planning, specification, and installation specifications are applicable to new, existing, and retrofit buildings.  The requirements and guidelines provided in this Standard are intended to supplement the premises cabling requirements specified in the                     ANSI/TIA-568-C family of Standards.

Main clauses in the Standard address:

• Regulatory – National and Local Code Requirements
• Overview of Telecommunications Bonding and Grounding Systems
• Telecommunications Bonding and Grounding Components
• Design Requirements
• Performance and Test Requirements
• Grounding Electrodes
• Towers and Antennas
• Electrical Protection

Copies of the Standard may be purchased from the IHS Standards Store (http://global.ihs.com).

Ask yourself this…

Is your data cabinet electrically safe? I would guess that most of you would say yes, but go and check and see if there is an earth cable attached. I would hazard a guess that many are not.  If your cabinets are earthed, then good for you.  And because of this,  you’re surely protected against any legal/safety liability, right?

Not so fast.

Have the correct size cables been used?  I can almost hear the cry: “The earthing system was designed by the electrical engineers, so it must be right!” The truth is that there are differing standards within Europe and around the world specifically relating to this subject. Sadly, cabinets (when earthed at all) are often earthed with an all-too-small conductor that does not meet local/regional design codes and Standards.
The good news: it is only difficult if you get it wrong the first time and need to fix it.

Over the pond in the US, Carrie Higbie put together a brief overview of earthing/grounding for shielded cabling that also provides the core concepts of earthing cabinets and racks: https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.siemon.com/share-white_papers-pdf/06-07-20-grounding.pdf”/a>

For those of you paying attention to what’s happening in high-speed multimode fiber (which should be just about all of us in the data center and network infrastructure world), the TIA’s Encircled Flux test method has become a bit of a hot button topic.

Now, if you want a full technical rundown of Encircled Flux, I suggest checking out a recent article in Cabling Installation and Maintenance magazine. Article: Encircled flux improves test equipment loss measurements

If you don’t have that kind of time, here’s what you should know:

• Encircled Flux insertion loss and return loss test methods were created in response to higher-speed transmissions over multimode fiber  (i.e.: 10/40/100Gb/s).
• These higher speeds create significant variability in test results when using the previous test parameters – possibly degrading expected performance through inaccurate results and false passes.
• Encircled Flux testing standards reduce this variability by as much as 75%.
• Testing high-speed multimode fiber products under Encircled Flux parameters provides the end-user more assurance that their cabling performs as it should.

This is why Siemon has independently tested its high-speed OM3 and OM4 MTP plug and play assemblies according to the latest Encircled Flux methods.

The ANSI/TIA-568-C.4 “Broadband Coaxial Cabling and Components Standard” published July, 2011.  This Standard specifies mechanical, transmission, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements for 75-ohm broadband coaxial cables, cords, connecting hardware, and cabling used to support community antenna television (CATV), satellite television, and other broadband video applications.

Recognized components are limited to Series 6 dual-, tri- or quad-shield (“RG-6”) and Series 11 dual-, tri- or quad-shield (“RG-11”) coaxial cables and F-type connectors.  Cabling installation methods, connector termination procedures, grounding and bonding requirements, deployment topologies, and field testing procedures are also provided.

Main clauses in the Standard address:

• Topology
• Cabling  Subsystem 1
• Cabling  Subsystem 2 and Cabling Subsystem 3
• Series 6 and Series 11 Link Performance
• Coaxial Cable, Cords, and Connecting Hardware
• Installation Requirements
• Field Test Requirements
• Background Information

Copies of the Standard may be purchased from the IHS Standards Store http://global.ihs.com).