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Network Design

Planning and architecting networks: topologies, capacity, and future-proofing.
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    • ICT Today — January/February/March 2026 (Vol. 47, No. 1)

    January 2026 · Vol. 47, No. 1

    • The New Engine of Innovation: AI Infrastructure and the Next Revolution in ICT Design
      COVER ARTICLE
      Members
      Justin PowellAI is not just transforming how we compute; it is changing how we build. Every watt, every optical fiber strand, every square inch of these facilities is being redesigned to support a new kind of digital organism—one that learns, reasons, and scales exponentially.      14 min

    ICT Today — October/November/December 2025 (Vol. 46, No. 4)

    October 2025 · Vol. 46, No. 4

    • Reimagining Building Design with FMP in the Next 20 Years
      Feature
      Members
      Stephen EavesA quiet revolution is underway in how commercial buildings are powered, signaling it could be time to evolve from traditional power distribution.      10 min

    ICT Today — July/August/September 2025 (Vol. 46, No. 3)

    July 2025 · Vol. 46, No. 3

    • Empowering the Future: How RCDDs Shape the Next Generation of ICT Technicians
      COVER ARTICLE
      Members
      Justin Powell*In an increasingly interconnected world, where smart buildings, data centers, and intelligent cities are reshaping the way we live and work, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure stands as the unsung hero of modern innovation.*      11 min

    ICT Today — April/May/June 2025 (Vol. 46, No. 2)

    April 2025 · Vol. 46, No. 2

    • Configuring Enterprise Networks for Wireless Audiovisual Content Sharing
      Feature
      Members
      Anthony Cortes**Communication in today’s world is dominated by audiovisual (AV) media, conveyed electronically, whether it is a PowerPoint presentation or a full-motion video clip. Even ICT Today is published digitally and largely read on an electronic screen. At the center of it all are Ethernet LANs. But people are now accustomed, however, to having the world in their pocket.**      14 min

    ICT Today — January/February/March 2025 (Vol. 46, No. 1)

    January 2025 · Vol. 46, No. 1

    • Energizing the AI Frontier
      COVER ARTICLE
      Members
      Seán Adam, Manja ThessinThe worlds of energy and data are converging like never before. This convergence, driven by the explosive growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies, is pushing existing infrastructure beyond conventional boundaries, and reshaping the very foundations of the digital world.      13 min

    ICT Today — July/August/September 2024 (Vol. 45, No. 3)

    July 2024 · Vol. 45, No. 3

    • Emerging ICT Trends Are Now Commonplace
      FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT
      Members
      David M. Richards, RCDD, NTS, OSP, TECH, CT      2 min

    ICT Today — January/February/March 2024 (Vol. 45, No. 1)

    January 2024 · Vol. 45, No. 1

    • Embracing the AI Revolution: Harnessing the Power of ChatGPT
      COVER ARTICLE
      Members
      Carlos PaganApplications of artificial intelligence (AI), while troublesome to some and extraordinary to others, have become quite commonplace in the ICT industry. With the growing popularity of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Dall-E 2, and Rose AI, many ICT leaders have started speculating on its long-term uses. How should ICT professionals use these AI tools? Will AI ultimately replace them? The case study explores the optimal ways of leveraging the power of widely available AI models within existing workflows as it examines the intersection of AI and ICT design.      10 min

    ICT Today — October/November/December 2023 (Vol. 44, No. 4)

    October 2023 · Vol. 44, No. 4

    • Emerging ICT Design and Construction Processes
      COVER ARTICLE
      Members
      Nick LarkinsThe ICT design industry has seen significant advancements over the last two decades. Early onboarding of ICT design teams allows for a holistic approach to the design and integration of ICT systems to streamline processes and provide cost-effective solutions and timely results. Different technologies, including building information modeling (BIM), data-driven design/specification LEAN concepts, and prefabrication can help, and every opportunity should be taken to maximize efficiency in an industry dealing with a shortage of talent.      14 min

    ICT Today — January/February/March 2023 (Vol. 44, No. 1)

    January 2023 · Vol. 44, No. 1

    • How to Deliver Universal Wireless with a Wireless-First Approach
      Feature
      Members
      Brian K. Davis, RCDDAs communications infrastructure becomes increasingly wireless, optical fiber over traditional copper and coaxial cabling is often the preferred choice to provide anytime, anywhere user connectivity. When designing connectivity for communications infrastructure, it is important to consider ever-changing workforce preference and habits, and the modern reliance on bandwidth, speed, and universal wireless connectivity.      16 min

    ICT Today — July/August/September 2022 (Vol. 43, No. 3)

    July 2022 · Vol. 43, No. 3

    • Smart Infrastructure is Driving Forward the Physical Layer and Smart Installation Equipment
      COVER ARTICLE
      Members
      Lucas MaysA plethora of supporting smart technologies to deliver smart applications for devices, such as smartphones, tablets, cars, and entire homes, are being introduced. The ICT world is one of these supporting areas, driving infrastructure and supporting equipment toward smart use-cases to align with quickly evolving needs. Furthermore, the ICT industry is in a unique position to deliver entire smart systems due to its role in building an interconnected web of data that these smart applications and devices require.      16 min

    ICT Today — April/May/June 2022 (Vol. 43, No. 2)

    April 2022 · Vol. 43, No. 2

    • Network Design for Greenfield Data Centers:
      Feature
      Members
      Mike Connaughton, RCDD, CDCDAny greenfield data center will become a brownfield when it reaches its first tech refresh. For many data centers, that refresh cycle can occur every three to five years, so planning now will ensure the most cost-effective design with the least disruption. Infrastructure manufacturers can provide assistance when creating a forward-looking network migration plan to ensure that a network design, built from the ground up today, will be ready for change in the years to come.      17 min

    ICT Today — January/February/March 2022 (Vol. 43, No. 1)

    January 2022 · Vol. 43, No. 1

    • Meeting Single-pair Ethernet and Power Delivery Challenges
      COVER ARTICLE
      Members
      Mark Dearing, RCDD, Todd Harpel, RCDD, Harshang PandyaSPE enables the convergence of traditional IT and OT networks operating over optical fiber or 4-pair ethernet cabling into a common intelligent building or industrial network. Discover how this extends the Ethernet network to new systems and devices to quickly deploy and power buildings, while learning about the latest in testing as well.      19 min
    • Access Networks for the Generations
      COVER ARTICLE

    ICT Today — April/May/June 2021 (Vol. 42, No. 2)

    April 2021 · Vol. 42, No. 2

    • The Evolution of the Smart/Intelligent Environment
      FROM THE PRESIDENT
      Members
      Todd W. Taylor, RCDD, OSP, NTS      3 min

    ICT Today — January/February/March 2021 (Vol. 42, No. 1)

    January 2021 · Vol. 42, No. 1

    • Facilitating POLs over Existing Multimode Fiber Cabling Infrastructures with MPLC-Enabled Technology
      COVER ARTICLE
      Members
      Kevin Lenglé, Ph.D.To meet the high-speed and growing requirements for higher bandwidth, the first inclination is to install optical singlemode fiber. However, this approach in many instances makes the renovation of a standard LAN into a POL complex and costly. But what if an enterprise could benefit from the advantages of POL, while keeping its existing multimode fiber network?      18 min
    • How to Properly Deploy and Test POLs to Support Growing Demands
      COVER ARTICLE

    ICT Today — July/August/September 2020 (Vol. 41, No. 3)

    July 2020 · Vol. 41, No. 3

    • AV over IP and Complex Enterprise Networks
      COVER ARTICLE
      Members
      David ShamirThe AV industry is in the midst of a challenging transition. The migration of AV systems to the IP network requires a lot of planning. Detailed knowledge of network topologies, deployment issues, best practices, and quality-considerations ensure a smooth transition to AVoIP and a reliable and consistent AV system.      19 min

    ICT Today — January/February/March 2020 (Vol. 41, No. 1)

    January 2020 · Vol. 41, No. 1

    • The Process of Selecting Media for Industrial Ethernet Networks
      COVER ARTICLE
      Members
      Luke Young, RCDDSelecting appropriate media for a robust and reliable industrial Ethernet network is imperative. Three viable media types are optical fiber, balanced twisted-pair and wireless. Their various characteristics are defined and use criteria outlined to help ICT physical infrastructure designers identify the correct media choices.      19 min
    • How Smart Planning and Cabling Can Shape a Successful Healthcare Facility
      COVER ARTICLE

    ICT Today — May/June 2019 (Vol. 40, No. 3)

    May 2019 · Vol. 40, No. 3

    • Transforming Data Center Architecture for Tomorrow: Blockchain and the Cloud
      COVER ARTICLE
      Members
      Anthony Robinson, RCDD, CDCDP, CNIDPEnterprise data centers have traditionally focused on data storage and preparation for disaster recovery, but they don’t always meet the fluctuating demand for real-time, multi-user data retrieval. In today’s evolving digital market, data center operations are shifting from storage to the real-time analysis and processing of data based on demand.      9 min

    ICT Today — January/February 2019 (Vol. 40, No. 1)

    January 2019 · Vol. 40, No. 1

    • Evolving Standards & Procedures for Designing and Testing MPO-Based Systems
      Feature
      Members
      Rodney Casteel, RCDD, NTS, OSP, Ed GastleAs data center architectures evolve for the high-speed network, this comprehensive article serves as a valuable resource about data center architecture trends, applications and transmissions standards, different options for MPO infrastructure, and the testing of MPO connectivity.      24 min

    ICT Installation Practices Field Guide - Volume 1 - General Cabling - 2nd Edition

    Vol. I, No. 1

    • ICT Field Guide Vol I, 2nd Edition
      Chapter
      1 min
    Members
    Josh Simer
    It is important to know how to build access networks that can take advantage of this generational moment and stand for generations to come. Learn how access networks need to be built for growth and expandability, while needing to be flexible and accessible to accommodate unexpected opportunities and new connections.
    14 min
    Members
    Stéphane Chabot
    Most of the challenges inherent in POL deployment can be avoided by adopting efficient and thorough test procedures for the installed fiber optic cables and active devices before final turn-up. Learn how testing ensures first-time-right service turn-up and enables meeting customer deployment objectives.
    17 min
  • How to Plan a Future-Proof Cable Infrastructure for PoE and Wi-Fi
    COVER ARTICLE
    Members
    David Fausz, Matt MarcusAs PoE and Wi-Fi standards evolve to meet the demand for higher power, speed, and bandwidth, category cabling is also evolving, providing future proofing and maximizing return on a building's cabling infrastructure. Understanding today's category cable options will drive more informed decisions about cable plant design and installation.    18 min
    • Members
    Mitch Cohen, RCDD
    This article provides the prescription for a healthy telecommunications room (TR). Unlike typical commercial buildings, healthcare facilities must support several dozen subsystems to operate efficiently. These subsystems demand careful ICT infrastructure design and planning to create TRs that can deliver high-bandwidth and resilient low-latency connectivity and much more.
    15 min