Initial Configuration:
The MDF in Building A East
contains the POP and the network servers. The WAN interface is the Cisco 3640
with 1 T1 interface in use. The LAN interface is the Cisco 2948-GL3.
The connections to the portable
classrooms will be via Cat 6 cabling. Each circuit (3 total) will terminate in
a 24-port patch panel in the first room of each classroom building. The patch
panel will be contained in a locking wall mounted cabinet. Inside of this
cabinet will be an 8-port switch. The 4 PCs/hubs in the first room will connect
directly to the switch. The 4 circuits going to the second room will terminate
in the patch panel and from there into the switch with patch cables.
All PCs will run initially
at 10 Mbps. (Bear in mind that the servers are in this MDF and will be directly
connected to the Cisco 2948-GL3 in that closet at 100 Mbps.) All circuits will terminate in a lockable cabinet which
will contain one 8-port hub per circuit. All circuits will be Category 6 certified
using an Agilent Wirescope 350 test unit.
The data terminations at the
remote ends will be configured utilizing dual RJ45 data jack modules. As the
faceplate can hold as many as three dual data modules, most terminations will
consist of a faceplate, 2 dual data modules and 1 blank filler plate, allowing
for another data module to be added later, if necessary.
To Upgrade the Network
Configuration:
To increase the speed of the
PCs is a simple matter. The PCs can be reconfigured for 100 Mbps because the
cabling is Category 6. (True, this can be done with Cat 5e, but at a later
point in time, this cabling scheme will support Gigabit Ethernet over the same
copper/terminating hardware with no additional expense incurred.)
The Cisco WAN interface in
the Parts list allows for four T1s to be trunked thereby increasing the WAN
throughput by a factor of 4 at no additional expense.
Intent:
Yes, the TCS required Cat 5,
which is less expensive (and already obsolete). However, I have been involved
in installing cabling infrastructures for 15 years and in that time I have
dealt with Categories 3, 4 (briefly), 5 and 5e (4 in 15 years). Each time a new
technology has evolved, a major investment has had to be made to replace the
cabling, closet and remote terminating hardware. The TCS calls for a 10-year
life span for the infrastructure.
Although using Category 6 components is approximately 1/3 more costly,
it is the only way I can foresee this installation having a 10 year life span.