AI-driven workloads are accelerating global data center buildout and increasing ICT supply chain complexity, distribution, and security risks. Structured management systems are helping systematically assess risk, validate supplier practices, and embed cybersecurity into procurement and upstream processes.
*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.*
The telecommunications industry is the cornerstone of global connectivity in the rapidly evolving landscape of technology. But there are ethical implications of the race to the bottom in how materials essential to this infrastructure are sourced. It is time to confront the harsh realities and moral questions that underpin these production processes.
6 min
Structured Cabling—Twisted Pair Shielding: What is Best?
Feature
Members
Gautier HumbertOn the market today, cables for structured cabling exist in various shielded and unshielded types, and it is important to select standard-compliant cables that offer the best performance for individual networks. The discussion is anchored on the principles of noise immunity, shielding types, and the importance of segregation, as outlined in the ISO/IEC series. Through an exploration of how twisted pairs work, the relevance of international standards, and the specifics of shielding and segregation, improved network efficiency and safety can be achieved.
10 min
Gautier Humbert, RCDD
The ISO/IEC 11801 series are the international standards relevant to structured cabling, and ANSI/TIA 568 series is the North American equivalent, but are there differences? They coordinate together, but Categories 7 and 7A represent a point of disagreement. While they exist in the international documents, they do not exist in the North American equivalent. A thorough history of the categories is necessary to understand the differences and their relevant applications.
14 min
A digital building solution using PoE technology ensures a long-term, cost-effective, and positive future for property owners that enables the sustainability of the building and the health and well-being of the building’s occupants.
16 min
Denise Pappas
Whether designing a one-story building or a multi-story building, the smart/intelligent building has a lot of codes and standards to consider. This article simplifies the complex for ICT designers, installers, integrators, and consulting companies.
17 min
Members
Carol Everett Oliver, RCDD, DCDC, ESS
3 min
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Members
Todd W. Taylor, RCDD, OSP, NTS
3 min
Denise Pappas
Learn about the 2022 edition of the NFPA 72 Fire Alarm and Signaling Code that includes significant changes.
17 min
Craig Robinson, RCDD
Due to increasing demand for technology-based solutions and the decreasing cost of wireless sensors, there is significant business in converting, retrofitting, and upgrading data centers. Asset management and labeling are important for a successful structured cabling or data center install in any environment to ensure maximum uptime and audit compliance.
13 min
Decisions Based on Scale: For the purposes of comparison, there are three categories of data centers: traditional enterprise, cloud scale, and hyperscale. Learn how each of these categories has a different set of cabling and connectivity requirements when considering transmission, data rate, installation, latency, density, maintenance and migration.
To keep the ICT community current with technology and trends impacting the traditional data center, the BICSI 009 Data Center Operations standard is being prepared for its first public release. The development of this new standard was completed by 127 industry participants from 17 countries across five continents.
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?
21 min
Denise Pappas
Discover the many significant changes to the 2019 edition of NFPA 72, including the integration of NFPA 720, Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment.