What is structured cabling? What are the benefits of structured cabling?

In the world of cabling, the term structured cabling is often mentioned. People use it as a buzzword, but what does it really mean? What exactly is structured cabling?

To understand what it really means, let's look at some of its related definitions.

According to the Fiber Optic Association, structured cabling is the standardized architecture and components for communications cabling specified by the EIA/TIA TR42 committee and adopted by manufacturers as a voluntary standard to ensure interoperability.

If you look at TIA TR42, you may find that TIA 568 technically defines and outlines structured cabling in much greater detail, but you may come across a lot of long and very technical language.

What is structured cabling (easy to understand)?

Structured cabling is defined as a building or campus telecommunications cabling infrastructure that is composed of many standardized smaller components (structured).

A properly designed and installed structured cabling system provides a cabling infrastructure that delivers predictable performance with the flexibility to accommodate moves, adds, and changes; maximizes system availability; provides redundancy; and proves the availability of the cabling system.

This definition gives us a better understanding of what structured cabling is and its uses.

What does structured cabling look like?

To answer this question, I will use the word "organized". Structured cabling is an organized approach to cabling infrastructure. While it may seem backward, the easiest way to fully understand the concept is to look at what structured cabling is not. In many data centers, the cabling method used is defined as "point-to-point". This method runs patch cords directly between the hardware that needs to be connected.

In a structured cabling system, a series of patch panels and trunks are used to create a structure that allows the hardware ports to be connected to a patch panel at the top of the rack. This patch panel is then connected to another patch panel via a trunk in the MDA (Main Distribution Area).

MDA is a key part of structured cabling. Here all MACs (Moves, Adds and Changes) can be made using short length jumpers.

Structured Cabling vs. Traditional Point-to-Point Cabling

Below are diagrams of structured cabling solutions and point-to-point cabling. These diagrams outline the basic approaches to cabling. We will look at the different components and structured cabling products involved. Looking at the two cabling approaches side by side helps to show how the two systems differ and how structured cabling solutions can provide multiple benefits.

Structured Cabling Solutions

Point-to-point wiring

What are the benefits of structured cabling?

Once again, organization is the key word here. Having a well-organized, high-quality structured cabling system provides the following benefits:

• Moves, adds, and changes are much easier because they are done in the MDA rather than running long patch cords from an equipment rack.
• The likelihood of downtime is reduced because this organization greatly reduces the possibility of human error.
• Save time; cable and port tracking becomes easier with a structured cabling system. This logical, organized approach not only makes changes easier, but it also saves you time.
• Aesthetics; never underestimate appearance! Structured cabling systems look much cleaner than point-to-point methods. Since changes are done in the MDA and not in the hardware, the hardware can be cabled without touching it in most cases. This keeps the cabling in front of the switch looking nice.

What are the risks of not switching to a structured cabling system?

Downtime: In a sprawling cabling infrastructure, mistakes are common, such as unplugging the incorrect port, or even worse, the tangled cables getting in the way. Trying to remove one cable from a large tangled mess can put stress on the others. This stress can cause network and channel errors in the hardware that are difficult to track down.

Airflow: If a point-to-point approach is used, the front and possibly the sides of the switch will be crowded with a lot of cabling. This will block the airflow required for the switch to operate. This also applies to floor cooling; cabling congestion in this space will block airflow to the computer room air conditioning (CRAC) unit and may cause cooling issues.