Book Description

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 third edition of a widely acclaimed resource, three networking experts share their extensive experience, teaching you the cabling skills you need to build a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective 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 and components for your network architecture and topology Avoiding unnecessary and unexpected costs 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 Determining when you have a cabling-related network problem 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