Passive Network Components:
Structured Cabling has become quite common for inter-connecting the various active devices in an IP network. So, the following passive components are commonly utilized in an IP Network for Structured Cabling:
- Cat 6 UTP (Un-shielded Twisted Pair) Copper Cables – These are the network cables that connect a PC/ endpoint to a network switch. Sometimes, they are also used to provide inter-connectivity between switches if the distance is not greater than 90 meters, which is the distance they support for transmitting data without using any repeater (repeater function is provided by using network switches).
- Cat 6 UTP Patch Cords – These are one meter/ 2-meter factory crimped cables with RJ-45 connectors installed at both ends. The Cat 6 Cables are not recommended to be directly terminated in either the network switch or the PC/endpoint. Only the patch cords terminate on both devices and connect to the Cat 6 Network cable through an I/O Box and UTP patch panel.
- Cat 6 UTP Patch Cords – These are one meter/ 2-meter factory crimped cables with RJ-45 connectors installed at both ends. The Cat 6 Cables are not recommended to be directly terminated in either the network switch or the PC/endpoint. Only the patch cords terminate on both devices and connect to the Cat 6 Network cable through an I/O Box and UTP patch panel.
- I/O Box and Face Plate: The I/O Box and Face Plate are kept near the computers and a UTP patch cord is used to connect the Face Plate with the network port in the PC. The Cat 6 UTP cable which comes from the switch terminates in to a permanent connection behind the I/O Box.
- UTP Patch Panel: The UTP Patch Panel is used for terminating all the Cat 6 Cables that come from various PC’s/endpoints in the network (Actually I/O Box) to the rack. These Cables are permanently connected behind the UTP Patch Panel and UTP Patch Cords connect from the respective ports in front to the network switches. This allows for flexible moves, adds and changes without disturbing the switch ports. All the ports in the patch panel are labelled for easy identification of which node they are connected to.
- Optical Fiber Cables: For carrying data over 90 meters, Optical Fiber Cables are used. These cables use light for transmission of data instead of the electrical signals used by the UTP cables. They can carry data for longer distances – even to a few kilo meters without having to repeat the signals in between. There are two types of cables – Single Mode (Used for higher bandwidth requirements for longer distances) and Multi-Mode (Used for shorter distances). They connect directly to the Fiber Patch Panel at either end. Usually they come in multiples of 6 Cores – 6 Core, 12 Core, 24 Core being common. For each connection, two cores are used – one for transmit and another for receive.
- Optical Fiber Cables: For carrying data over 90 meters, Optical Fiber Cables are used. These cables use light for transmission of data instead of the electrical signals used by the UTP cables. They can carry data for longer distances – even to a few kilo meters without having to repeat the signals in between. There are two types of cables – Single Mode (Used for higher bandwidth requirements for longer distances) and Multi-Mode (Used for shorter distances). They connect directly to the Fiber Patch Panel at either end. Usually they come in multiples of 6 Cores – 6 Core, 12 Core, 24 Core being common. For each connection, two cores are used – one for transmit and another for receive.
We can provide a complete solution for Passive Networking solutions, as we have in-house capabilities with teams of certified technicians & project management skills to cater for all kinds of your UTP/ Fiber Optic Cabling requirements to handle large & complex requirements
A Basic Layout of Passive & Active Networking Solution