The physical linkages responsible for carrying a company's data continue to be the most neglected components of the typical network-to the extent that nearly 70% of all network-related problems result from poor cabling.
In this the second edition of a much-needed and warmly welcomed book, three networking experts share their extensive experience, teaching you the cabling skills you need to build a reliable, efficient network cabling infrastructure. As you master these techniques, you'll learn to avoid common pitfalls and troubleshoot problems as quickly as they arise.
Coverage includes:
* Choosing the right cables for your network architecture and topology
* Understanding the current limitations of data communications and network cabling
* Understanding how laws and building codes constrain cabling
* Understanding the function and importance of universal cabling standards
* Selecting quality components
* Assembling a complete cabling toolkit
* Integrating voice and data on the same cable system
* Setting up an infrastructure in which desktops, printers, copiers, and other nodes share cabling
* Understanding issues of bandwidth, impedance, resistance, attenuation, crosstalk, capacitance, propagation, delay, and delay skew
* Working effectively with USB and Firewire
* Knowing when to discard legacy cabling and begin anew
* Documenting your cabling
* Creating an RFP and selecting a vendor