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
About the Author
David Groth, A+, Network+, CNE, and MCP, is President and Chief Consultant of Devarim, Inc., located in Fargo, ND. His other books include Network+ Study Guide and A+ Complete Study Guide, both from Sybex. Jim McBee MCSE+Internet and MCT, is a consultant and trainer based in Honolulu, HI. He specializes in Windows NT/2000 and Exchange Server. Jim is the author of Exchange Server 5.5 24Seven and contributed to Mastering Netware 5, both from Sybex. David Barnett, RCDD, has been in the wire and cable industry for nearly 20 years. The Director of Product Engineering for the Electrical Group of Superior Essex, he also writes for books and magazines, runs a cabling Web site (CablingCentral.com), and is co-owner of PnP Networks, Inc., which specializes in home and small business networking.