Recently, discussions around ICT supply chain challenges have focused on material shortages, longer lead times, and delayed equipment deliveries. As healthcare and smart building technologies continue to evolve, improving ICT supply chain resilience requires more than simply managing equipment procurement.
*The 8-position, 8-contact (8P8C) modular connector, more commonly known as the RJ45, is a highly engineered interconnection system of jacks and plugs with eight equally spaced contacts. Though its history began in the 1960s for telephony, it achieved widespread adoption with the rise of Ethernet networking over twisted-pair cabling.*
By prioritizing the development of resilient ICT infrastructure, leaders can not only mitigate disaster risk, but also contribute to broader goals of sustainable development and social well-being.
*The transformation of California’s Mt. San Antonio College’s (Mt. SAC) historic Hilmer Lodge Stadium into a modern, technology-rich sports complex stands as a benchmark for integrating advanced data, audiovisual (AV), and telecommunications infrastructure into collegiate athletics.*
Katherine Asbeck with contributions from Gayla Arrindell
*As industries embrace digital transformation, ICT networks must deliver high performance in harsh environments such as factory floors, oil fields, and transportation corridors.*
In an era where buildings are no longer just static structures but interconnected ecosystems, intelligent buildings have become a cornerstone of modern infrastructure.
Wi-Fi has become the cornerstone of connectivity, connecting everything from smartphones and laptops to smart homes and industrial IoT devices. As the demand for faster, more reliable wireless networks continues to grow, network professionals must have a deep understanding of testing and troubleshooting these complex systems.
With the increasing threat of the climate crisis comes a critical race toward sustainable solutions. Power over Ethernet (PoE) has emerged as a pivotal agent in the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions within built environments. PoE reduces usage costs and maintenance expenses and streamlines operations. Its seamless integration with diverse technologies and systems promotes inclusivity and innovation. It transcends traditional building technologies and lays the foundation for a smarter future.
As internet of things (IoT) sensors and devices grow, it is crucial that developers assess how these devices communicate to achieve optimal reliability, efficiency, and scalability of smart-building investments. Engineers must consider the infrastructure challenges of today and the future, thus, multicast routing is one of the most effective protocols for accelerating the impact of smart buildings across a wide range of outcomes.
In all of technology and information transport design and planning, there are three essential considerations for an information transport systems designer to be aware of and advocate for: space, electrical, and pathways. This “Imperative Trinity” constitutes the bedrock foundation on which all technology exists, and these three key facets should be considered first in every design and thought process.
As building owners and operators begin to navigate a post-pandemic world, they are presented with a new opportunity to expand knowledge of power over Ethernet (PoE) infrastructure and its many capabilities. This opportunity was the catalyst for a recent building renovation in Manhattan, where an office space was transformed into a PoE innovation lab to showcase the real-world application of multiple smart-building systems.
When dealing with critical applications within the data center, the performance and reliability of cabling infrastructure is paramount. As performance requirements for networks have changed, so too have the specifications on the constituent components. Discover the most accurate and capable measurement techniques for higher speed intermodal links, and learn industry best practices to ensure that costs associated with the remediation of links are kept to a minimum.
The use of pre-terminated cables versus field-terminated cables makes it possible to save considerable time and expense. Pre-terminated cables and the pre-terminated cable pulling adapters (PCPAs) are new tools in the installer’s toolkit.
Discover how AV over IP connects 110 smart AV stands on three campuses from concept to completion in only three months. The stands feature smart network interfacing and auto-configuration when moved to a different network drop, allowing non-technical people to connect the stands to new network drops without any help from IT tech support.
ICT data center professionals, installers, and technicians will first learn about the nuances of testing and troubleshooting cabling in data center environments. Then, they will explore many real-world situations where an all-in-one copper and optical fiber test and measurement tool can also perform common network identification and troubleshooting tasks.
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.
Despite the fact that few architects have completely embraced PoE lighting over traditional LED lighting systems, UWCA decided to implement PoE lighting and to integrate the latest sound masking and AV technologies. It was not a decision that was made lightly. As a non-profit organization, UWCA needed to pay close attention to both initial costs and operational costs for its 40,000 square foot expansion.
16 min
Mike Vermeer
Many ICT designers and installers are familiar with 2-pair and 4-pair Ethernet. A new and exciting physical layer technology, called single-pair Ethernet (SPE), is now standardized through IEEE, IEC, and TIA to form a foundation for the next stage of digitalization. Learn about this emerging technology, its trends, the many use cases anticipated, and much more.
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.
Imagine making an internet connection as simple as turning on a light switch. The possibilities of how data can be used are exciting and endless. Learn everything about Li-Fi in this in-depth study, including how it works, applicable standards for installation, cabling infrastructure solutions, and current challenges for mass deployment.
The 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.
Take the journey beyond the buzzwords, media hype, and often conflicting forecasts to understand the current status and the future potential of “the edge” and edge data centers (EDCs) that will impact the ICT industry.
Selecting 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.
As technology advancements have pushed network bandwidth higher and higher, traditional data is now sharing the network with a diverse mix of other signals and services that include VoIP, AV, and even building management systems (BMS). This proliferation of previously unforeseen uses for twisted-pair cable networks has spawned new vertical markets for BICSI-certified ICT designers and installers.
For the last couple of years, access control has achieved a higher rate of growth than either video surveillance or intruder alarms. Enterprise owners are increasingly upgrading legacy systems and installing more sophisticated and advanced access control systems. These systems need commissioning and more complex testing to function optimally.
Change may seem overwhelming when keeping up with the continuous influx of new technologies and paradigms. The new ANSI/BICSI 002-2019, Data Center Design and Implementation Best Practices standard provides assistance and a path forward amid ongoing changes and trends in the age of IoT, big data and ICT transformation.
What does the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) mean for ICT infrastructure designers and installers? It means understanding the unique characteristics of these challenging environments well enough to design and install robust and reliable IP infrastructure systems to support the coming explosion of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).
Explore the exciting implications of PoE technology, including infrastructure game changers like the recent ratification of the IEEE 802.3bt Power over Ethernet (PoE) over 4 Pairs amendment. What does this mean and how will it affect the ICT world?
Beyond the need for power, cooling, storage and switching inside the data center is the necessity for practical and efficient cabling to save time and reduce costs.