Data Cabling News

The Benefits of Category Cat6A cabling

2010-11-17T09:25:00.000Z

High speed data-transmission for today and the future
Installations using Category 6a (Cat6a) copper demonstrate the capacity to satisfy high-demand data speed requirements in the majority of horizontal office-environment applications, as well as in many network “backbone” applications. Cat6a (or Augmented Category 6) operates at frequencies up to 500 MHz, twice that of Cat 6. It was defined in February 2008 in ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2-10 standard.

Cat 6a can support 10 Gbit/s data rates using the 10GBaseT Ethernet network standard up to distance of 90 meters. The fasted rate that can be supported by Cat6 up to 90 metres is 1 Gbit/s using the Gigabit Ethernet (1000BaseT) standard.

Cat 6a cable is specifically designed to avoid crosstalk interference between cables; a technical hurdle that had to be overcome in achieving 10G data rates. Cat 6a uses larger-diameter conductors, lower packing density and tighter twists. In some cable designs, foil shields are utilised to achieve the necessary performance. The result is less loss of signal strength at high frequencies, significantly better crosstalk isolation between cables and improved heat dissipation.

Information technology managers acknowledge that 10 Gigabit per second Ethernet (or 10GE) over copper exceeds requirements for the majority of office environments. Copper wired networks are generally preferred over wireless networks because copper provides greater security, and because wireless has limitations in a multi-user networks.

In local networks, copper is also preferred over fibre optic cable because total network costs are less expensive when copper is used. Another advantage of copper is its ability to carry low levels of power; enough to power security cameras, card readers or other low power devices.

Fibre optics has its uses in the core or backbone of large networks but copper is generally still preferred as the media of choice for cabling to the desktop. The advent of Cat 6A is expected to extend the dominance of copper cable for datacom applications for many years.

Wireless data transmission is equally problematic, a wireless channel with 50 megabits per second might suit a single user in a home office but it is inadequate in a busy office environment where this capacity is shared. On the other hand, a 10GE copper cabling network could support 10 gigabit data rates for each user simultaneously. That's exactly the solution that IT managers are seeking.

Cat 6a was developed to support network demands of the next generation. It provides superior network performance and bundled cable implementations for channels up to 90 meters. Cat 6A is ideal for large file transfers and installing multiple applications through the network simultaneously. It is also capable of supporting high-end security applications and distributing digital audio and video.

Cat 5e and Cat 6 are suitable technologies today, but will have limiting properties when supporting large data transfers in the future. The continuing and increasing use of IP systems over the network for security and telephony as well as multi media steaming applications will definitely require a Cat 6a network utilising 10 gigabit which will be a pre-requisite within the next 3 – 5 years.

The investment protection with Cat 6a is simple: pay double the price now, and receive 10 times the available bandwidth or, install a Cat 5e / Cat 6 infrastructure and be faced with an expensive rip out in 3 – 5 years time, which will incur a phased downtime for the network and a new investment procedure of a Cat 6a network, which will be substantially more than the market prices available today.

As an approved installer for Cat6a cabling systems from ADC KRONE, HellermannTyton, Nexans and Excel, Lynx Networks can help you with any questions you have.

Contact Lynx Networks.

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24-core fibre connector from Complete Connect

2010-11-15T12:24:00.000Z

A new fibre connect with 24 cores in a 12mm footprint is now available.

A good word for the Fibre Optic Industry Association

2010-11-04T11:47:00.001Z

I want to put a good word in for the Fibre Optic Industry Association (FIA). They do an excellent job in developing standards and encouraging high quality in the fibre optic installation industrtry. Of course, Lynx Networks are members. Fibre backbones are usually at the core of any sizeable data network.

Low smoke patch cords

2010-11-01T10:32:00.002Z

Many specifications for data cabling systems ask for the installation of low smoke zero halogen (LSZH) cable but ignore the fact that most patch cords are PVC. If you're specifying or placing an order for a cabling system, consider whether your patch cords should also be LSZH.

When PVC cables burn they give off toxic smoke, gases and acids. LSZH cable is designed to lower the amount of smoke and eliminates Halogens emitted. The performance of the cable isn't affected by the change, they're still ensured to produce maximum cabling speed and data throughput.

Thanks to Connectix for prompting me to post this.

Why are cable prices continuing to rise?

2010-10-25T09:17:00.003+01:00

Thank you to John Laban for this article.

Communications Supply Corporation has issued a market brief summarizing the rising costs of cable materials. The brief begins with the good news of the overall economic recovery that is underway. It quickly follows, however, with the reality of price increases on items such as copper, FEP and PVC that are used in the manufacture of cable products. The brief also addresses the rising costs of energy and transportation.

"The communications infrastructure industry is doubly impacted by oil prices, as oil is both a critical component of the many products in the industry and a key factor in their distribution from manufacturer to installation site," CSC explains in its brief.

A 150-percent increase in the price of copper from its January-2009 low, shrinking production of fluorinated ethylene propylene, a 10-percent increase in PVC prices since January 2009, and rising oil prices are conspiring to increase cable prices again, CSC says, noting an October 15 FEP price-hike from Dupont.

IT support in Milton Keynes

2010-10-13T16:18:00.004+01:00

IT Support Milton Keynes

Lynx Networks provides excellent IT support and would love to have you as a client. I appreciate, however, that trusting anyone to keep your vital IT system up and running is a big step so I’d like to offer you a free 60-day trial service and network health check.

During the 60 days we will provide unlimited helpdesk phone support and, if your equipment is capable, we’ll even offer free remote login support. On-site expertise, if required, will be charged at our special support agreement rate of £55 per hour plus the cost of any parts. The free network health check will expose any weaknesses, security issues and areas that can be improved to enhance the efficiency of your business.

If you choose to continue with the service after the trial period, the ongoing cost will be a low annual fee (e.g. about £995 for a ten-user network) for telephone support and a guaranteed service level. In addition, remote login support will be £40 per hour and on-site work £55 per hour. This means that you can keep costs under control but have an expert team just a phone call away.

By using Lynx Networks for your IT support, you can dramatically improve the health of your network and virtually eliminate downtime. Your IT system can be refreshed without over spending because it’s our policy never to sell you anything you don’t need.

At Lynx Networks we ask the right questions and listen carefully. We have ability to understand the demands of a business and to ensure the IT is right for it. This is backed up by our accreditations, which include Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, HP Preferred Partner and Cisco Premier Partner.

Our other services include network provision, powerful IT infrastructure, network security, phone systems, VoIP, IP CCTV and cabling.

Unsolicited endorsements from our customers include:

Great service. The engineers are excellent, very helpful and nothing is too much trouble.
Sycamore BMW

We are very happy working with Lynx. Your staff are always friendly and efficient.
FJ Morris

I will recommend Lynx and will definitely use you again. Brilliant job. Very happy with all the work. Priory Middle School

Tim & Richard did an absolutely fantastic job today and I was very impressed with both of their commitment and professionalism. NT Cadcam

There’s so much I can offer you so, to find out more, please call me on 01908 633810 or email alan.bullen@lynxnetworks.co.uk.

2010-05-20T14:35:00.002+01:00

Does IP telephony mean you can have fewer network outlets?

The adoption of IP telephony by many organisations is tempting some system designers to opt for fewer network cabling outlets. This is because each PC can connect to a network outlet on the phone rather than a dedicated outlet. The IP phone then connects to a network switch port via the cabling system. The client appears to save on the cost of a cable run and a switch port. However, this is likely to be a false economy. Lynx Networks has considered the current and emerging technologies and has concluded that the minimum number of ports for a user with a phone and a PC should be two: one for the IP phone and one for the PC. Three good reasons for this are:

IP telephone handsets currently have 10/100 NIC cards so can’t support a Gigabit connection for a PC. Although the technology in the phones will catch up, by then PCs may require a 10G connection.
Complications could arise with 802.1X device authentication. This has to be configured on the switch port that the PC is connected to and at the IPT handset to allow forwarding to the PC. However, not all PCs or handsets allow 802.1X to work in this way. Even if the handset could be configured initially, everything would change if the handset or phone system was changed. Bear in mind that the life of a cabling system is usually much longer than that of a phone system.
To save energy, switches are being developed with ports that turn themselves off when there is no activity. This could cause complications if telephone handsets and PCs are daisy-chained.

The points above are all issues that have been identified in today’s networks. As technology changes and advances it is reasonable to suggest that other considerations and issues will come into play. Against this backdrop, cabling systems must continue to be viewed as long term investments and as such, the infrastructure needs to be designed for maximum future proofing and flexibility; not minimal cost.

Further network outlets may be required for printers, scanners and other network devices.

Alan Bullen

MK Dons Case Study

2010-03-29T12:24:00.001+01:00

I've also got a case study in the same publication. Page 36.

MK Dons Stadium IT infrastructure

2010-03-03T14:52:00.003Z

If you're interested in the IT infrastructure that supports the MK Dons Stadium, as designed and installed by Lynx Networks , take a look at the case study available as a pdf from here. http://www.lynxdatacabling.co.uk/useful.aspx

The MTP fibre connector

2010-02-22T11:16:00.004Z

MTP connector allows high-density connections between network equipment in telecommunication rooms. It uses a simple push-pull latching mechanism for easy and intuitive insertion and removal. The end of MTP connector may be polished flat or at an 8° angle. It is the same size of a SC connector but since it can accommodate a maximum of 12 fibres, it provides up to 12 times the density, thereby offering savings in circuit card and rack space for fibre optic connections.

MTP stands for "Multifiber Termination Push-on" connector and it is designed by USConec and built around the MT ferrule. Each MTP contains 12 fibers or 6 duplex channels in a connector smaller than most duplex connections in use today. It is designed as a high-performance version of the MPO and will interconnect with MPO connectors.

MTP connector is manufactured specifically for a multifiber ribbon cable. The single mode version has a angled ferrule allowing for minimal back reflection, whereas the multimode connector ferrule is commonly flat.

The typical insertion loss for MTP connectors is 0.25dB. From a design perspective, it is recommended to use a loss margin of 0.5dB for MTP connections.

Time lapse film

2010-02-18T11:52:00.002Z

One of the products that Lynx Networks supplies and installs is the Mobotix IP camera. A couple of weeks we lent one to Madison Cycles to film the erection of a temporary building for their IceBike show. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEor45pEYCQ for the result. It's pretty impressive.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks plc

2010-02-12T17:44:00.002Z

Inside Networks is a new online IT Network magazine you can subscribe to. It edited by Rob Shepherd of Network Cabling News fame. To subscribe, go to
www.insidenetworks.co.uk/subscribe.html

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks and Data Cabling

IT Support Milton Keynes

2010-02-11T09:46:00.002Z

For IT Support Milton Keynes you should try Lynx Networks. We're one of MK's best kept secrets.

MCSE Qualified Microsoft Engineer required

2010-02-10T15:16:00.002Z

Lynx Networks plc has a full-time vacancy for an MSCE-qualified Microsoft engineer to implement Microsoft projects to our customer base. If you are interested, or know anyone that is, please apply via our website.

Alan Bullen
Managing Director
www.lynxnetworks.co.uk

Don't skimp on blanking plates in your cabinets

2010-02-08T08:09:00.005Z

Airflow through a cabinet is clearly essential for cooling any equipment housed therein. That's why it's important to blank off any unused positions at the front of the cabinet to keep air flowing over the equipment. At around £5 for a 4U blanking panel, it's a good investment.

Alan Bullen
www.lynxdatacabling.co.uk

Network Engineer vacancy

2010-02-04T16:53:00.002Z

Career Opportunities at Lynx Networks

Network Engineer

Lynx Networks has an exciting opportunity within its Systems Division for an experienced Network Engineer. As a Cisco Premier Partner, Lynx Networks has pushed forward into converged technologies in recent years and we have a new opportunity. The successful candidate must have CCNA as a minimum qualification and will ideally have a depth of experience to CCNP level. Further experience of 3Com and HP switching, Cisco Security, wireless and Cisco IP telephony within the IT industry would also be advantageous.

The position is based in our Milton Keynes office and involves being part of a busy group of engineer supporting all elements of business computer networking.

If you believe you’re the person for an opportunity at Lynx Networks, please send your CV and salary requirements. Applicants from agencies will NOT be accepted.

http://www.lynxnetworks.co.uk/Career_opportunities.aspx

Campaign to reduce the rip-off cost of mobile calls

2010-02-02T17:38:00.003Z

More than 116,000 people, including me, have signed a partition to bring down the price of phone calls. "Terminate the Rate" is a campaign to get the fixed 4.7p per minute Mobile Termination Rate reduced to something like 1p. To read more, get the "terminate the rate" document here. To sign the partition go http://www.terminatetherate.org/.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks
http://www.lynxnetworks.co.uk/

Cabling Standards update

2009-06-19T09:11:00.002+01:00

They might be dull but they Standards are an essential part of ensuring a cabling systems does what it's meant to to. Here's an update on two forthcoming important standards:

BS EN 50174-1/-2:2009 nears publication.

This standard related to the installation of temecommunications cabling systems.
A great deal of notice was to paid to the approval by CENELEC of the new versions of BS EN 50174-1 and BS EN 50174-2 in November last year. Unfortunately, a series of completely unconnected delays meant that formal ratification did not take place until May this year - and the final text was not supplied to
BSi until just a few weeks ago. Nevertheless, BSi are gearing up to publish the documents as soon as possible – most probably with a 2008 designation (the year of approval). Work has now begun in CENELEC to revise EN 50174-3 - expected in 2010.

BS 6701:2009 and BIP0007

The next job for UK standards makers is the revision of BS 6701 in order to take account of the improvements and changes in the EN 50174 series. A new craft of 6701 has been created and it is expected to be published as a Draft for Public Comment in September this year.

BIP 0007 which provided a link between the existing BS 6701 and 50174 documents will not be revised because the linkages in the new documents are much more obvious.

For more information contact on data cabling standards contact Lynx Networks.

The phone system swindle

2009-04-16T14:37:00.003+01:00

Lynx Networks went to see a potential customer last week with a view to supplying a new phone system. It turns out that they have to give 12 months notice to cancel the incredibly over-priced maintenance contract on their existing 10-year old phone system. The rental for one year is more than the second-hand value of the phone system and all the handsets.

Taking everything into account, upgrading to a new and vastley better phone system works out cheaper than keeping the old one.

Green Motion Eco Challenge

2009-03-24T14:32:00.003Z

I've just taken part in the Green Motion Eco Challenge. I simply had to drive a VW Golf on a predetermined route around MK picking up proof of three visits on the way. The fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are monitored and the most environmentally-friendly user wins something - not sure what! If you want to take part, phone Gary Tarbox on 01908 230530 before the end of March 09.

How to upset Getty Images

2009-03-05T17:29:00.003Z

I had a bit of a scare this morning when I received a letter from Getty Images saying they were going to charge me £900 for infringing copyright and using one of their images on our website. My offence was to download an image from one our clients websites and use it to help illustrate a case study. The person that had approved the case study on their behalf clearly didn't know the image was copyright protected.

Anyway, I've made some investigations and it appears Getty don't have a case because they need to give notice of the infringment and the opportunity to remove the image, which I have now done of course.

I'm now expecting a long exchange of letters with them. Wish me luck.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks plc

The Top Six Reasons for Investing in a New Phone System

2009-03-04T11:02:00.003Z

Just to let you know that I've added a new page to the Lynx Networks website that will be useful if you're considering replacing your phone system.

The Top Six Reasons for Investing in a New Phone System

Quality of data cabling systems

2009-03-03T17:32:00.002Z

Not all cabling systems are alike. Just like cars, you can pay for high quality or pay less and get something that just does the job. So what's the difference. At Lynx Networks we supply three manufacturers' cabling systems. ADC KRONE at the top end (the Mercedes), HellermannTyton near the top end (the Saab) and Quantum at the budget end (the Kia).

If you ask for a quote for a cabling system you can specify the cabling system so that you know you're getting like for like quotes. The problem with this is that it limit your choice of installers because each installer will have a limited number of systems they install.

PVC or LSZH cable?

2009-02-23T10:32:00.004Z

Unlike Lynx Networks, many data cabling companies install standard PVC cable as opposed to Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) because it costs less. Many customers wouldn't appreciate the difference, so the instaleler gets away with it. However, as you may know, in a fire PVC cable generates very toxic smoke and gases, unlike LSZH cable. Many building owners and insurers insist on LSZH cable for obvious reasons.

So, if one installer's quotation is cheaper than another's, it may be because a PVC cable is being specified.

University of Bedfordshire uses IP Camera to record progress

2009-02-09T16:04:00.008Z

Here's an interesting application of IP cameras that Lynx Networks has been involved in recently.

The University of Bedfordshire is using two Mobotix cameras installed by Lynx Networks to record the progress of the extensive redevelopment project at its Luton Campus. Time-lapse photography, taken automatically over 18 months, will allow the University to show a film of the demolition and construction of the new Student Centre and Student accommodation.
Anyone is able to see images the of construction in progress, updated every minute, by going to www.beds.ac.uk/aboutus/facts/phase1b

The Mobotix IP cameras were chosen because they are designed to work in tough outdoor conditions without the need for moving parts or heaters, and, as they operate using power over Ethernet, they only require a network connection at the camera unit.

John Wells of The University of Bedfordshire said, "We have worked with Lynx to provide the University's voice and data cabling infrastructure for many years. The University is investing £74m in redeveloping the Luton campus, including a new student centre and halls of residence. We wanted to communicate the progress of this project the staff and students. Webcams provide a highly effective way of doing this. Lynx's webcam offering has been implemented at very short notice and went very smoothly. Keith Swan was extremely helpful, especially in the adverse weather conditions we were experiencing at the time. We're very happy with the work and wouldn't hesitate to recommend Lynx to others requiring a similar service."
For more information on the redevelopment project, go to www.beds.ac.uk/aboutus/facts/phase1b

EU Company Directory Scam

2009-01-30T13:00:00.004Z

Hopefully we're all pretty savvy when it comes to spotting email scams but some of them are very cleverly worded. I had an email yesterday titled "Registration of EU Companies 2009/2010" saying "UPDATING IS FREE OF CHARGE" All I had to do to be entered in the directory was to print off the attachment, fill in some details, sign it and fax it to them.

However, in the small print it stated, "I WILL HAVE AN INSERTION INTO ITS DATA BASE FOR THREE YEARS. THE PRICE PER YEAR IS EURO 995." So that would have cost me nearly £3,000!

I believe that you would be obliged, by law, to pay up. Let's hope that no one is fooled by it.

Alan Bullen
Managing Director
Lynx Networks

Serveillance cameras in school

2009-01-12T12:31:00.002Z

A colleague just passed me an article from yesterday's Mail on Sunday. It's about how a primary school used its surveillance camera to find an 8-year old girl's missing shoes. They discovered that a friend had hidden the shoes in a locker as a prank. The girl was reunited the shoes that she needed to get home, and her parents were happy that the camera system had been used to achieve the outcome. The culprit was punished with a warning letter, and her parents we're horrified that the system was used in this way.

At Lynx Networks we install IP camera surveillance systems in schools and we are always interested in this type of debate. Personally, I can see both sides of the argument but fall in favour of the systems as long as the schools adhere to a strict code to avoid inappropriate use.

Hot off the press; the same colleague has just forwarded this link about a school having to remove cameras from children's toilets following furious protests from parents.

What does 2009 have in store for the IT cabling industry?

2009-01-05T14:40:00.003Z

Network Cabling News posed a forum question to a panel of representatives from the data cabling industry, including myself. The question was: "How has the network infrastructure industry fared during the course of the last 12 months and what have been the high and low points during this time? What will be the key factors influencing this sector during 2009 and what should it be doing to ensure its long-term growth and prosperity?"

Here's my response that was published in the December issue.
Let’s start on a high: This year’s ratification of the Cat6a / and Class EA standards, enabling 10Gigabit across copper, has been a huge step forward for our industry. The installed price of Cat6a is, however, currently more than twice that of Cat6 so, if we are to reach a wider market, the manufacturers must endeavour to bring prices down. I guess they’ll try to recoup their development costs first though.

Looking ahead, the few companies with proven quality systems and well-trained teams able to install to the demanding standards needed for Cat6a will find they can differentiate themselves from the lesser competition and win some profitable work. It’s good news for us that Cat6a needs to be installed by specialists.

The state of the economy is worsening by the hour and as I write this piece, the banks have reigned in their lending and FTSE 100 index has dropped below 4,000. The dead cat has stopped bouncing and I’d be pleasantly surprised if the index is any higher as you read this. I’m not a pessimist but, against this background, I have grave fears for our industry and those working in it.

My company’s turnover is currently 10% up on last year but, taking into account the predictions for the economy, my business plan is now based on zero growth for the next eighteen months. Customers will be making cutbacks and some companies will fold, leaving bad debts. In this climate, it’s going to require some good leadership to keep everyone employed and maintain an acceptable profit margin. I’ll be happy to stand still and maintain employment levels.

Let’s enjoy the challenge and emerge from the recession stronger and ready for the next boom.

Alan Bullen MBA RCDD
Managing Director
Lynx Networks plc

It's our birthday

2008-12-12T17:29:00.002Z

It's 20 years today (12th Dec 2008) since Lynx Networks registered for VAT. I see this as the start date for the company although I didn't leave my previous employment till Chritmas, starting full time at Lynx on 2nd January 2009.

At the time the company was a partnership and we called ourselves Lynx Data Cabling. We later expanded into a broader range of services and renamed ourselves Lynx Networks.

Good advice !!!

2008-12-09T11:46:00.003Z

This made me laugh out loud. A Health and Safety Executive document states, "Safe use of stepladders. 20: Make sure the legs are fully open before you go up."

Class versus Cat

2008-10-31T08:58:00.002Z

We are all guilty of referring to IT cabling systems at Cat 5e, Cat 6 or some other "Cat". However, these only relate to the Categories in USA Standards. In the UK and Europe, we have the BS EN 50173 series of standards. These refer to "Classes" of IT cabling systems. Class D is virtually equivalent to Cat 5e, Class E to Cat 6, Class Ea to Cat 6a and Class F to Cat 7.

For more information, see Lynx Networks Guide for Specifying an IT Cabling System.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks

Latest installation standards hit the streets!

2008-10-24T09:21:00.004+01:00

This is a piece written by Mike Gilmore, Technical Director of the Fibreoptic Industry Assoc (FIA). It refers to important new data cabling standards soon to be published.

The final voting drafts of EN 50174-1:2008 and EN 50174-2:2008 are now in circulation - with deadlines in November 2008. These standards have major significance for the telecommunications cabling industry, covering “Installation Specification and quality assurance” and “Installation planning and practices inside buildings”. Based on the format of BS 6701:2004, the new EN 50174-1 and EN 50174-2 standards not only introduce substantive changes to their requirements and recommendations but also present them in a more structured way. The latter makes it particularly easy to define the separate responsibilities for installers and their clients - independent of whether those clients are the end-users or their consultants. This article answers a few frequently asked questions concerning these standards.

Why are these new standards so important? One answer is their function - primarily they provide a tool for managing the interface between installers and their clients. Another answer is timing - as the standards will be ratified before the end of this year, it is incumbent on those clients to be referencing them, having understood their contents, NOW! Similarly installers will now be bidding for installation work for 2009 and need to be cognisant of the new standards - in readiness for undertaking those installations.

I frequently hear the cry “why make such a fuss - we know all about installations, who needs standards?” My simple answer to this is to recall the people, both clients and installers, who regularly contact asking “what do the standards say about ….”. They are not asking me because of some innate curiosity but because something has gone wrong, they are in dispute and want to know what they should have done.

If those standards have been correctly listed in the contract then it is difficult to have too much sympathy. However, just because a standard is not explicitly referred to in a contract does not always offer a lifeline. In a court of law, judgement is often based on what a reasonable person would be expected to do - and this is normally based on the available standards. Our national standard for the “installation, operation and maintenance of telecommunications cabling and equipment” is BS 6701:2004 - which mandates compliance with the BS EN 50174 standards.

Installers also do not realise that the presence of other standards in a contract also mandates compliance. For example, any client wishing the cabling to be designed in accordance with any of the structured cabling standards in the BS EN 50173 series, has automatically stated that the installations shall conform to EN 50174. That being said, it should be remembered that the EN 50174 series applies to all telecommunications/IT cabling - not just structured cabling.

How does one obtain a copy of the final voting drafts? One way is to contact BSi and purchase a copy. An alternative is to be a member of a recognised trade association that is involved with their production via BSi. For example members of the FIA can go to their Standards Forum and download drafts of many standards free of charge.

How close are the voting drafts to the final published documents? The answer is “very”. The only changes that can be made are technical corrections to a fault in the editing process or the correction of misleading text. A couple of technical corrections have already been identified, which is hardly surprising in such comprehensive documents, other may follow. A process is in place to make the required corrections. For example, FIA members are able to log their concerns via their Standards Forum.

Extra-mile photos

2008-10-10T09:43:00.004+01:00

For all 180 of you that cycled in Heald Solicitors Extra-mile Massif Challenge, you'll find a link to hundreds of photo's at www.lynxnetworks.co.uk

Massif challenge completed

2008-09-30T11:14:00.004+01:00

We did it! The "Keynes as Mustard" 4-man cycle team completed the 500-mile ride from Lens in northern France to the Massif in three days. That's me third from the left looking a bit cream crackered because I've just cycled up a 5 mile hill to the base of the Puy-de-Dome volcano. That's my bike too.

Tony (second from left) and I then extended the challenge by riding the 2.5 miles up the 12% climb of the Puy-de-Dome. It was a gruelling effort but I'm glad I did it. Thanks to everyone that sponsored us and helped us raise around £2,500 for our chosen charities.

Let's give work to ex-offenders

2008-09-15T15:13:00.002+01:00

About two years ago I started visiting HMP Springhill open prison to give talks to groups of inmates on the topic of employment prospects in the data cabling and IT networking industries. Eventually I got around to offering one of them work experience at Lynx Networks. He's allowed out for up to 12 hours a day to help him rehabilitate back into the outside world. It's worked very well and the rest of the team at Lynx now has a much better impression of ex-offenders.

We have since taken on a second ex-offender; he's working on site assisting our cabling teams. Clearly, we won't take on people that have been convicted of any crime that would put our employees, customers or property at risk.

We are hoping to set up a scheme whereby we collect prisoners on day release from HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes and let them shadow our cabling installation technicians. Looking ahead, maybe we could have a nationwide alliance of cabling companies that help ex-offenders rehabilitate in society and not re-offend.

I'd be interested in hearing your views on this.

Alan Bullen
Managing director
Lynx Networks

500Mbps broadband to the home (in theory)

2008-09-08T15:28:00.001+01:00

When 2Mbps broadband became available, I thought it was incredible that old copper cable from BT exchanges could support such high speeds. However, Sagentia consultancy, based in Cambridge has carried out research that shows existing twisted pair copper telephone wires to 99% of the homes in the UK could provide broadband speeds of up to 50Mbps, 95% of homes could reach 100Mbps and half the homes in the United Kingdom could receive nearly 500Mbps. However, the broadband modems would need to be housed in the street cabinets rather than the exchange buildings.

For more information, go to http://informitv.com/articles/2008/08/15/testingthetheoretical/

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks for data cabling

Cycle challenge

2008-09-01T16:07:00.000+01:00

At the end of September I’m riding in a charity cycle challenge through France, from Lens in the North to Massive Central mountain range. As a team of four we’ll be covering 500 miles in three days.

To more information or to sponsor us please go to www.justgiving.com/massifchallenge, (That’s not me in the picture, by the way).

Every little helps so thanks in anticipation.

All the best,

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks for data cabling

The rip-off continues

2008-08-27T16:48:00.002+01:00

A salesman for probably the largest cabling system manufacturer in world is telling people that you should have Cat6 to prevent packet loss when using 1000Base-T. Is he saying that his Cat5e cabling system won't support the standard it was designed for?

Cable selection tool

2008-08-11T17:49:00.003+01:00

Here's a nicely animated online cable selection tool from ADC KRONE to help your select the right spec cabling for your requirement.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks

Milton Keynes local business seminar

2008-07-15T08:41:00.004+01:00

I'll be giving a 10 minute presentation "The top 5 ways to waste money on Computer Networking" at Affinity's inaugural seminar; ‘Think Local’ on 23rd July at the Open University in Milton Keynes.

The seminar will highlight the benefits to your business of working locally, how to minimise the effects of the rise in fuel costs and how to find credible local businesses in key services your business needs.

To help local companies do better business, there will a series of short, punchy presentations by local companies that will provide you with valuable information about reducing costs for your business.

The presenters will talk to you not at you and there will be an MC, 3D graphic display to increase the impact to the professional presentations and avoid ‘death by PowerPoint’. Just to make sure you’re paying attention there will be a question put to you after each presentation… You will have an interactive keypad to answer and there will be a prize for the person with the highest score.
To get you started there will be a selection of local companies, including Lynx Networks, exhibiting their products and services to assist your cost reductions and build collaborations.

Come and join us for a fun and relaxed event…
Date: Wednesday 23rd July 2008
Time: 09.30 – 13.00
Venue: The Berrill Theatre, Open University
Price: £29.79 + VAT [£35.00 inc VAT] including tea/coffee and lunch.
To book your place click here

Economic surveys

2008-07-11T09:03:00.002+01:00

I'm just about to complete a monthly economic survey and I'm going to be upbeat. Why? Because business is pretty good at the minute, particularly on the cabling side but also because we mustn't talk ourselves into a recession.

It's a self-fulfilling prophecy: talk of a recession reduces confidence and lack of confidence causes a recession.

So let's be more positive and not let ourselves be dragged down.

BICSI Breakfast Club July 24th

2008-07-08T10:54:00.002+01:00

BICSI UK has announced their next Pub Club. It's at Docklands Museum in London, 24th July 2008.

BICSI regional technical seminars are a great way to earn BICSI CECs while networking with your peers. The interactive format will allow you to discuss technical issues and get questions answered in an informal environment.

The feature presentation will be:
“The Second Coming - Updated European (i.e. British) Installation Standards for 2008” by Mike Gilmore, Senior Partner, The Cabling Partnership and Managing Director, e-Ready Building
Come join us to learn, build your network and to advance your career.
To register, please click and enter your personal details: http://events.bicsi-europe.org
Museum in DocklandsWest India Quay Canary Wharf London E14 4AL
Date: 24 JulyTime: 16:00

This event is free to BICSI members. Any BICSI member can bring one guest for free. However, if you will bring a guest, please indicate this in the appropriate area on the on-line registration form.Non-members pay a fee of £90, which includes a 12-month BICSI membership. For more information go to http://events.bicsi-europe.org.

If your membership expired, be quick and complete the online form at http://www.bicsieurope.org/Index.aspx?File=memberform.htm to attend the upcoming
Breakfast Club for free!

Andrew Stevens, the UK chair for BICSI says he's looking forward to seeing you.

ADC KRONE - First to pass independant testing

2008-07-07T15:09:00.002+01:00

ADC KRONE have always been in the forefront of the development of Cat 6A cabling systems. This piece is based on a press release from them where they blow their own trumpet (and why not?) . . . . .

The ADC KRONE 10 Gigabit/s TrueNet Copper10 cabling system is the first cabling system to pass all of the available third-party verification tests against the TIA Category 6A standard and the more onerous ISO/IEC Class EA / Category 6A standards, including compliance at component level. The independent testing was carried out on May 1st by Delta test labs.

ADC KRONE’s unshielded CopperTen products have been subjected to the most exhaustive independent testing currently available against the TIA and ISO standards passing every test in our process," said Erik Bech of Delta test labs. "ADC KRONE is the first to be EC-VERIFIED BY Delta to the strict category 6A requirements for component compliance."

The cable and components for testing were taken directly from the production line and the cable was tested with six cable bound around one "victim" cable to create the worst case conditions for long and short runs.

These results are significant to the end user because it confirms that the cable will support 10Gigabit Ethernet in the worst case conditions.

About twelve years ago, Lynx Networks were the second company to be accedited by KRONE as an associate installer and have kept the accreditation ever since.

Bicsi 2009 Dublin Conference

2008-07-03T12:32:00.003+01:00

The 2009 Bicsi European Conference will be in Dublin starting on June 22nd. Bicsi haven't yet made the official announcement; I'll post more information as I hear it.

Alan Bullen RCDD
Lynx Networks

IT companies and departments needed in MK for work experience

2008-07-01T13:34:00.003+01:00

Countec in Milton Keynes is currently looking for both IT companies and IT departments that may want to contribute to work experience and the Information Technology Diploma in Milton Keynes. ‘Working with IT’, is a constant request fthat the Countec Work Experience team handle when placing students in companies in Milton Keynes for their two week work experience placement. If you think your company may be able to help please contact claire.stackpoole@countec.org

Software developer keeps copyright

2008-07-01T13:17:00.002+01:00

The Court of Appeal has upheld a decision by the High Court rejecting a claim where the claimant had failed to prove that there was an implied term that the claimant would own copyright in software developed on its behalf. The court refused to accept the argument of "necessity". This appeal serves as another reminder of the importance of agreeing clear written terms for the ownership of copyright.

I thank Karen Mason of Novelex Solicitors, Milton Keynes, for this information.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks, Milton Keynes

WARNING - Hackers target IPBX (IP phone systems)

2008-07-01T12:35:00.008+01:00

Hackers are are always looking to exploit networks with little or no firewall protection, and IP phone systems are no exception.

The hackers use malicious software to trawl the internet to find unprotected phone systems. The software then tries various code combinations to find a way out through the system onto the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). If it achieves this, the hacker can make free phone calls at other people's expense. Alternatively, the software could repeatedly dial an 0898 number and run up massive charges that end up in the hackers bank account.

A system that has been installed with the right protection will not be exposed to this type of abuse. The first line of defence against this is to configure rules into your firewall so that your network only accepts packets on TCP ports 50 and 60 from trusted IP addresses. Secondly, the phone system needs to be configured to prevent unauthorised outbound calls.

One symptom of an attack is that extensions on your phone system start to ring as the software tries various code combinations. When you lift the receiver, you get silence.

This only affects IP phone systems that connect to the outside world via the internet. If you only use ISDN, you are not exposed.

To have your firewall checked by experts, contact Lynx Networks.

Alan Bullen

Lynx Networks

Cabling and networking papers

2008-06-30T10:11:00.003+01:00

Just to let you know that I've got some useful papers posted on the Lynx Networks website. See the following:
9 ways to convince your boss to get a network upgrade
Guide to specifying a cabling system
Advice on RJ45 patch cords

2008-06-24T08:08:00.004+01:00

Biztech Milton Keynes - Breakfast Seminar
7.30am for 8.00am Friday 4th July 2008
Midsummer Court, 314 Midsummer Boulevard, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 2UB

Social Networking - The Good, the Bad and the Legal

Even readers who are not part of generations X and Y will be aware of the rise in the last couple of years of social networking websites, or will at least have heard of Facebook, MySpace or YouTube.

Social networking sites use software to build online social networks for communities of people who share interests and activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests of others. They provide a range of ways for individuals to communicate on the site, including chat, messaging, e-mail, video, voice, file sharing etc.

They have been the flavour of the month in the internet world for the last couple of years. The reason? They attract large numbers of loyal users who give all kinds of information about their likes and dislikes which advertisers can use to target each time they visit the site.

The acclaim for such sites as Facebook and MySpace is not universal. Employers feel that employees may abuse the internet access given as part of their job, by "time wasting". Employers also worry about the legal pitfalls they may face in our now "point the finger of blame" society.

This seminar aims to help us understand more about the issues facing companies today. We will hear from all three sides of the fence! There will be plenty of time for questions to the speakers.

The seminar will be of interest to human resources specialists, managing directors, IT directors, finance directors, marketing managers, lawyers and anyone else who wants to be in a better position to help businesses make an informed decision as to their policies on social networking sites.

The Panel:
Kate Allan, Redwave Communications Limited
(The advantages of Social Networking)
Nigel Brown, Development Manager - Capita Education Services
(The disadvantages of Social Networking)
Karen Mason, Novalex Solicitors
(The legal issues relating to Social Networking)

Cost: £10 for MK & North Bucks Chamber of Commerce Members, £15 for non-members

To book, call Yvonne on 01908 259000

Cat6 A cabling - Is it worth the investment?

2008-06-19T10:51:00.003+01:00

Now that the Augmented Category 6 (Cat 6A) cabling standard has now been fully ratified, you can make some well-informed decisions when choosing a cabling system. I’m going to tell you what you need to consider, what benefits you can expect and how the costs compare.

The approved standard’s full name is ANSI/TIA/EIA 568-B.2-10 so that’s what you should specify to your cabling company when asking for a price. It’s a copper cabling system for 10Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) links up to 100 metres. It can be shielded or unshielded. Elsewhere in the 568-B family you’ll find specifications for multimode fibre links up to 300 metres.

The 568-B family is American but so are Cat5e and Cat 6 so don’t let that worry you. International standards will follow next year and will be a little more stringent.

The role of Cat 6A in our lives is to support 10GbE. That is its only advantage over Cat 5e and Cat 6, but a ten-fold improvement in bandwidth is pretty impressive. The other side of the scales has a couple of disadvantages; you need to decide which way the scales tip for any particular application. The simplest thing to consider is the price because a Cat 6A installation will typically cost you about 33% more than Cat5e. However, the main issue is that the size of the pathways and containment you’ll require. That includes risers, voids, cable tray, cable basket, floor ducting and perimeter trunking. Straight runs of Cat 6A need roughly twice the capacity of Cat5e but the minimum bend radius of installed Cat 6A is upwards of 30mm depending on the manufacturer. One manufacturer I know is saying that 67mm deep trunking is required to accommodate the bend radius of its Cat 6A cabling system.

If it’s for a new building or you’re premises are undergoing a major refit, it’s simple enough to specify larger pathways and containment for your cabling systems. On the other hand, if you’re hoping to use existing containment and pathways, you may have to think again because the cost and disruption may make Cat 6A unjustifiable.

You need to ask yourself whether, for the life of the cabling, you will ever need it to support 10GbE. If it’s a backbone link or it’s in data centre or it’s likely to be in use for over ten years, the answer is more likely to be yes. Desktop applications for Bear in mind that the 10GbE active hardware is currently very expensive and it will be a few years before it’s affordable for the desktop.

Make sure the cabling system you are buying complies with the full standard not the draft standard, particularly the permanent link (the installed cable runs). You can save money by using Cat5e cords if you’re not yet implementing 10GbE but some manufacturers give a “channel link” warranty that, by definition, includes the cords.

Most Cat 6A cabling systems are shielded and it’s imperative that the buildings earth system is of a very high standard and that the cabling system is earth bonded by competent electricians. Good earthing ensures that high frequency noise is removed from the system via the shielding and helps prevent alien crosstalk between adjacent cables. If you earth system is not of a very high standard you may need to invest in some improvements.

Where does the arrival of Cat 6A leave Cat 6? In my opinion, it makes it redundant because, although Cat 6 has two and a half times the frequency range of Cat 5e, no network standards have been adopted that run on Cat 6 but won’t run on Cat 5e. Cat 7 is a superb cabling system but is very expensive, is no longer needed for 10GbE and, in my opinion, is over the top. So you’re choice is simply between Cat 6A and Cat 5e.

Alan Bullen

Lynx Networks plc

The changing face of optical fibre infrastructure in data centres

2008-06-12T08:43:00.002+01:00

(Thank you to Mike Gilmore, Technical Director of the FIA, Senior Partner of The Cabling Partnership and Managing Director of e-Ready Building Ltd for this article)

The IEEE has now selected the initial solutions for the physical implementation of 40 Gigabit and 100 Gigabit Ethernet over multimode optical fibre. It is certain that array devices (i.e. multiple VCSEL sources and detectors within a single connector) will be involved. 40GBASE-SR4 will be a 850 nm 4x10Gb array to support 40 GbE and 1000GBASE-SR10 will require an equivalent 10 x10Gb array - it is probable that the installation of multimode optical fibre over short distances in data centres will be changed forever. There will be other implementations of these applications using singlemode optical fibre but these are unlikely to be economic over short distances. The maximum supportable distances using multimode optical fibre are unknown at this time but it is unlikely that they will exceed 200 metres. For longer links singlemode transmission equipment will be the only solution - but at significant cost. This leaves the region below 200 metres (and specifically below 100 metres) retaining a cost advantage for multimode optical fibre. However, transmission distance is not the key issue. Instead, the array transmission systems will place constraints on the installation of optical fibre which are only just beginning to be understood.

The principal issue may be skew - the difference in time of transmission between the fastest route down the shortest optical fibre and the slowest route down the longest. The concept of a delay skew limit is well-known to balanced cabling installers - every installed link is tested against the skew requirements. There are three important points: first, the delay skew limit is length-independent (it does not matter how long the link is); second, it applies across the four pairs of a cable and third, cable designs ensure that it is achieved.

In comparison, the concept of skew is alien to users/installers of optical fibre. Control of the differential lengths of optical fibre between two panels has never been a critical aspect of installation. It is recognised that basic techniques and yield factors for both field termination and splicing of pigtails produces different lengths - it may be that such variations become unacceptable in the future which forces us to consider the installation of pre-terminated cables with multi-fibre MPO or MTP interfaces. Many of the major systems suppliers predict this transition but most of the industry, including users, has not yet fully considered the implications of such systems.

The use of pre-terminated cables, primarily as a means to assist rapid installation, is not a new idea. Many system-suppliers have had solutions in place since the mid-1990s. However, a move towards an automatic introduction of such solutions as a day-to-day installation solution brings with it a number of challenges. Within data centres the primary design issues are cabinet cooling and overall energy efficiency. The presence of increased quantities of spare cables, as a result of inaccurate length allocation within pre-terminated cabling solutions, under floors and inside cabinets is in direct conflict with these aims.

So how are the technology demands for skew control in support of "next generation" applications going to be implemented? One approach is the significant integration of cabling, cabinets and cable management systems in order to allow accurate length determinations. Another involves the use of cabling "buffer" spaces which allow spare cables to be stored without impact on the energy efficiency of the overall data centre - but at the expense of cabinet real estate. The future appears not to be one of transmission technology but of systems design - but, have no doubt, we are all facing a change in installation approach and associated skills.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks, Milton Keynes

Copyright on your website

2008-06-06T08:18:00.003+01:00

This is an article provided by Karen Mason of Novalex Solicitors, Milton Keynes.

Have you ever wondered who owns the copyright to your web site or your sales brochure? The awful truth is that it probably isn’t you unless you have explicitly signed an agreement to that effect. Copyright is one of the most commonly misunderstood areas of intellectual property law. Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 the person who creates the work – known as the author – is the first owner of its copyright.If you commission an independent contractor to create a copyright work, ownership of the copyright will be theirs unless there is express agreement to the contrary. Where there is no agreement the implication may be that there is an assignment or an exclusive or non-exclusive licence for whoever commissioned the work to use it. For instance, a computer program is protected by copyright. The owner has the right to sue for infringement of copyright as does an exclusive licensee, who would have the same rights and remedies as the owner. It is a simple matter to draw up a legal agreement in advance of commissioning any work where copyright is involved and it helps to avoid any confusion as to ownership and who has the right to protect the work.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks
also data cabling division - Lynx Data Cabling

40Gb and 100Gb fibres in data centres

2008-06-02T12:00:00.002+01:00

The IEEE are just ratifying the physical standards for 40Gb and 100Gb Ethernet fibre links. These will require multiple fibre cores for each link and the multi-fibre MPO or MTP connectors will be used. Pre-terminated cables will be the simplest solution because on-site termination will be more difficult for the compact connectors.

Applications for 40Gb and 100Gb Ethernet are likely to be limited to the data centre. Lengths of up to 200m with multimode cable are likely to be the most common installations.

For more information contact Lynx Networks.

Alan Bullen

Minus 22% inflation since 1997 on HP Switch

2008-05-07T10:39:00.003+01:00

I came across some old pricing notes indicating that back in 1997 a 16-port 10/100 HP Ethernet switch would have cost you £1,895. Today you can can buy an HP ProCurve 24-port manageable 100Mbps switch complete with VLAN support for just £95. For a small investment, you network can be faster, manageable and have added data security.

Am I in the wrong business?

2008-05-06T14:13:00.004+01:00

Looking at the Sunday Times list of UK companies with the fasted growing profits makes me think I'm in the wrong business. There are only four IT companies in the top 100 (WDS Global at 15, Technetix at 64, MX Telecom at 80 and ESRI at 93). Two of these are mobile phone related businesses, one produces broadband equipment and the other is a software company). Not a single IT infrastructure company to be seen! I know the reason though: we’re in a very competitive business where, although profits can be made, they aren’t going to break any records. All good news for Lynx Networks customers.

I've made the headline news!

2008-04-28T10:36:00.004+01:00

I had promised Bicsi I would write 600 words for the BICSI Backdrop section in Networking+, the monthly newspaper for fixed and wireless networks for the enterprise. The deadline was approaching quickly an dI still didn’t have any idea what I was going to write about when an email landed in my Inbox from Profressor Martin Cryan of the University of Bristol. He was after input and support for a technology he is developing for the market. My artical grabbed the interest of the editor of Networking+ and he made the news the front page headine.

Here’s a copy of the piece that I wrote:
The most interesting aspect of our industry is the development that’s happening at the cutting edge. Here’s something that could extend wireless LAN coverage to areas that are currently considered out of reach.

I’ve just heard that it’s possible to send wireless signals over optical fibre cable and then transmit the signal via an antenna without the need of a powered converter. When I first read the email I had received from Dr Martin Cryan of the University of Bristol, I thought I must have misunderstood it; surely you couldn’t convert light into radio signals without a injecting some power. So I phoned Dr Cryan and he confirmed that’s precisely what he’s done.

The device that’s making this possible is a semiconductor component called the Photonic Active Integrated Antenna (PhAIA, pronounced FIRE). It uses low cost VCSEL technology for the optical interface and can operate on multimode or singlemode optical fibre, overcoming the problem of distance associated with copper cables.

The applications under consideration are currently focused on any IEEE 802.11a/b/g WLAN networks where conventional copper cable can’t be used to feed remote access points, and an electrical power source is not available at the far end. For example, for hotspot range extension or long reach connections from central base stations or routers. However, this technology is not restricted to WiFi signals: standards such as UltraWideBand, 3G and UMTS could be implemented using the same fibre networks.

Fibre based systems can have very long reaches and aren’t restricted by earthing considerations, a particular problem when connecting between buildings. It can access difficult coverage areas such as tunnels, underground spaces and hazardous industrial environments where copper cables could create fire hazards.

A major restriction is that the range from the PhAIA antenna to wireless terminal is currently limited to 10 metres unless a power source is provided for the antenna. However, other research may help here. It’s possible that batteries to power the PhAIA could be charged via the fibre cable using another technology currently being developed at the University of Bristol: light transmitted down the fibre, without interfering with the signal, can be converted to electrical power at the remote end to continually trickle-charge a battery. The viability of this will depend on how much traffic the PhAIA has to handle which, in turn, determines the energy requirement.

Dr Cryan plans to develop his research into a business venture and would like to talk to companies involved in fibre-based communication systems to gauge the level of interest and to help him assess the market opportunities. He is building a case to raise investment to get his products to commercial prototype stage.

This is where you may be able to get involved with this cutting edge technology: Dr Cryan needs people to help him assess the technology and maybe runs trials in real systems once the product is at commercial prototype stage.

If you want to be involved, please email me (alan.bullen@lynxnetworks.co.uk) and I’ll put you in touch with Dr Cryan or you can contact him directly (m.cryan@bristol.ac.uk). And if you can’t be involved, don’t forget you heard it here first.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks plc

Credit crunch update

2008-04-10T09:05:00.000+01:00

We’re still not feeling the effects of the credit crunch at Lynx Networks. Our customers appear to be ignoring the economic indicators and carrying on business as usual. I guess it all depends what sectors you operate in. Luckily we don’t do much in the square mile so we’re not being hit by any immediate cut-backs. Of course, the lack of money in people pockets will feed through eventually but I predict a slowdown, not a recession. Those of us who have been in the network infrastructure industry for a few years are used to coping with that.

Having traded through the recession of the early nineties and the tough times of the dot com bust, I have learned that it’s important not to panic. Look after existing relationships is the key, and keeping our workforce flexible so we can be responsive to changes in demand. We have to careful who you extend credit to, and it’s a good policy to work with the public sector where the medium-term budgets are already fixed and we know we’ll get paid because we do a good job.

As an industry sector, I think the same issue applies whether were in a boom or bust phase: How do we convince potential customers that there is a difference between a thoroughly professional provider and a company that wins the order because it over promises, but doesn’t deliver? We need a recognised qualification scheme, but that’s a whole new topic.

Alan Bullen

School rip-off

2008-04-04T17:05:00.005+01:00

I need a rant.

About 18 months ago Lynx Networks quoted a local school for a Cisco Call Manager Express IP phone system. Being competitive, and the only company locally with the Cisco accreditation to deliver the solution, we fully expected to win the order. However, the main contractor gave the order to someone else and we heard nothing else until last week.

The school are not happy: When the second phase of the school was built they were told to buy a second Cisco Call Manager Express when the correct solution was to extend the original solution. The two systems are not connected so one side has to phone the operator on the other side to be put through.

Another problem: It's now going to take 2 weeks to configure a new handset even though the school has a service level agreement quoting a 4 hour response. The contract costs them £16K a year. This appears to be a case of a school being ripped off and exploited, and the expense being borne by the council tax payers.

They have now asked for our help so they are in safe hands and will get value for money.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks

Common Purpose

2008-04-03T13:53:00.003+01:00

I've just finished a Common Purpose Matrix programme. It's experiential leadership training to help you to lead and influence in the local community outside your usual sphere of power. If you ever get a chance to do the programme, jump at it. It was a great experience.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks

Solution to the Mirror Puzzle

2008-03-28T13:15:00.002Z

If anyone read my recent posting regarding the mirror problem, see http://stephenlaw.blogspot.com/2007/04/mirror-puzzle-solution.html for the "solution".

Alan

Rehabilitation of ex-offenders

2008-03-28T12:34:00.003Z

About twice a year I drop in to HMP Spring Hill, an open prison near Aylesbury, to talk to the ex-offenders about a career in the data cabling industry. The first time I was apprehensive, not knowing whether I'd be facing a bunch of hardened villains, but that was not the case, quite the opposite in fact. I've met about fifty guys and every one of them has shown real respect and a genuine keenness to want to settle back into normal life with a foot on a career ladder. They attend training courses at the prison but face massive prejudice when they are released.

I'm now talking to Tracy in the Job Club at the prison with a view to giving a few of the guys some work experience during the last few months of their sentences. I wouldn't allow someone on a customers site that had been convicted of stealing from premises but most of the offences would pose no threat at all in a work environment. I'd like to go further and get a group of companies involved in a scheme nationwide to give work experience and even full employment to ex-offenders.

I'd be interested to hear other peoples views on this. Leave a comment against my blog or go to the Lynx Networks website Contact Us page and send me a message.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks plc

Mirror puzzle

2008-03-25T11:50:00.001Z

Can someone tell me why, when you look in a mirror, left and right are reversed but up and down stay the same?
Alan

10 Gigabit Ethernet on fibre

2008-03-17T14:03:00.007Z

Fibre backbones are an essential part of most large data cabling installations, and 10 Gigabit Ethernet provides massive bandwidth for this purpose. However, the distance rules for 10G transmission across fibre are not simple. For example you can transmit across 300m of OM3 cable using a low cost 10GBase-SR interface or you can cover 240m across lesser grade fibre using the much more expensive 10GBase-LX4 interface. I've found an excellent page on Wikipedia that makes it fairly clear. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10_Gigabit_Ethernet.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks plc

Noise on cables

2008-03-17T13:32:00.006Z

The most common cause of noise pick-up on data cables is from fluorescent lighting. Lynx Networks were called to a site last week to investigate a noise problem and it turned out that the installer had run the cabling adjacent to a row of lighting and right over a light fitting in the comms room.

A good cabler will know to keep cables away from fluorescent lighting but an untrained cabler may not. Testing with a Fluke DSR400 or DTX tester, or equally good device, will warn the operator of the presence of noise will not record it in the stored results. This is because noise is not part of the TIA, EN or ISO physical layer specifications. So, be warned, a poor cabler, and there are plenty of them around, can get away with badly routed cables. However, your network may not be as tolerant. The result will be network failure, garbled VoIP telephony or loss of speed.
Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks plc

Domain name scam

2008-03-14T18:33:00.002Z

If you receive a letter saying that your domain name needs to be re-registered it's likely to be a scam. You end up paying for a re-registration and possibly losing control of your domain name. So take care.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks

Keep the monkeys off your back

2008-03-04T13:07:00.003Z

It's nothing to do with data cabling but here’s a superb extract from “The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey” . . .

“Discretionary time is time in which we do the things that make our work truly rewarding over and above financial compensation – things such as creating, innovation, leading, planning and organisation.

Although discretionary time is the most vital time of all, it is, unfortunately, the first to disappear when the pressure is on, as I learned well in the school of hard knocks.

Why? The reason has to do with the incentive system. You see, if we don’t comply with our bosses wishes we will be guilty of insubordination. If we don’t conform to our systems requirements we will be guilty of noncooperation. If we don’t do what we promised for our staff, that is, work off the monkeys, we will be guilty of procrastination.”

A "monkey" is a problem that needs to be dealt with. It can easily climb from one person's back to another. To learn how to free up your time and deal with priorities, and how not to take on a problem if it isn’t yours read Kenneth Blanchard’s The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey. I don't have any commercial connection with it, it's just an excellent book that would benefit so many managers.

Alan Bullen
Managing Director
Lynx Networks plc

Google a recording of your life!

2008-03-03T13:21:00.003Z

Whilst at the Communications Managers Association (CMA) conference last week I picked some fascinating stuff about our possible future. This was the scariest: The trend for memory and bandwidth to get bigger and cheaper will eventually make it possible and affordable to have your PDA / communicator record every word it hears. It will then transcribe to a text file where it can be indexed, allowing you to Google every conversation you've ever had or heard. I'm sure there will be legal issues because everyone could become a walking bug. I'd like to hope it never comes to be.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks

OM4 Fibre Optic cable proposed

2008-02-27T17:06:00.002Z

At their meeting in Barcelona on 18th to 22nd February 2008, the ISO/IEC JTC1 SC25 WG3 standards committee proposed the establishment of a new optical fibre types or Category. Termed OM4, it will provide more than twice the laser/VCSEL bandwidth of OM3 and is targeted to provide greater useable distance and/or lower system implementation costs for the next generation 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s Ethernet solutions that are currently in development.

I'd like to thank Mike Gilmore, Technical Director of the Fibreoptic Industry Association, for this news. It looks like OM4 will become a reality but my guess is that it will be at least a year before it's ratified. This, however, won't stop draft OM4 being manufacured.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks plc

CMA conference

2008-02-20T17:25:00.005Z

Next Tuesday and Wednesday, 26th and 27th Feb, is the Communications Managers Association (CMA) conference at the New Connault Rooms in Covent Garden London. If you're going, please drop by our exhibition stand to say hello. We're giving away a superb little guide called "9 Ways to Convince Your Boss to Get a Network Upgrade".

If you're attending the dinner on the 26th, find me and I'll buy you a drink.

I'll be posting the "9 Ways" guide on www.lynxnetworks.co.uk in a couple of weeks

All the best,

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks plc

Donor Register

2008-02-08T12:25:00.000Z

OK, so it's nothing to do with data cabling but it's something I believe in strongly: the NHS Organ Donor Register. Have you signed up yet?

Transplants are one of the most miraculous achievements of modern medicine, but they depend entirely on the generosity of donors and their families who are willing to make this life-saving gift to others.

Alan Bullen

Lynx Networks plc

Cable testing

2008-02-07T12:46:00.000Z

To get value for money from your cabling company, it's important to appreciate to difference between types of testing. A good cabling company will always provide Certification of your installed cabling system. This compares the performance of an installed cabling system to a standard because performance depends on component quality and installation workmanship.

Alternatives to certification are qualification and verification. Qualification confirms that the installed cabling links successfully transmit data using a specific network technology, Gigabit Ethernet for example, but does not imply compliance with technologies other than the one used in the test. Verification is a very simple test that just confirms the installed link meets basic continuity requirements. It does not imply any bandwidth or transmission quality measure.
Unless your after the cheapest installation possible, you should not accept anything less than certification with a instrument such a Fluke DTX.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks

Aliens cause trouble in cabling

2008-02-06T08:25:00.000Z

The menace has always been there but, until now, it's not been causing a problem. It's alien crosstalk and it's the effect of signals in one cable causing interference in an adjacent cable. Actually, a cable gets a sum of alien crosstalk from all of its adjacent cables.

The good news is that alien crosstalk has negligable effect in a network until you start to use 10Gigabit Ethenet (10GBase-T). The high frequencies and sensitive encoding make it susceptable but there are things we can do to mitigate the effects. The best solution is to use a Cat6a / Class Ea cabling system. Although this is not yet fully ratified, there are systems on the market that conform to the draft standard. An alternative is to use Cat6 up to distances of 35 metres (some say 55 metres) but make sure it's installed with loose looms to mitigate against alien crosstalk.

Testing for alien crosstalk in the field is time consuming and it's virtually impossible to do with 100% certainty; that would mean putting signal on to every cable and then testing each cable as a victim cable.

Luckily, the better companies in the data cabling industry are able to provide clients with cabling systems that will work at 10G so those aliens needn't bother you.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks plc

Bicsi

2008-02-04T08:21:00.000Z

BICSI is an association that support the IT infrastructure industry with information and education for individuals and companies, and it does a good job.

If an end-user sees that a provider has BICSI accreditations then it's a good sign. However, there's a massive difference between membership and accreditation. It irritates me that for £160 a year a company can use the BICSI logo on its stationery and advertisments and fool many people into thinking that it's some sort of endorsement of quality; it is not.

Now, a BICSI qualification is another matter. It takes a lot of hard studying to gain one and maintain it, particularly the RCDD (Registered Communications Distribution Designer). To be a BICSI Platinum Prestige Contractor is even harder. The company has to have several qualified staff and pay a higher annual fee.

So, if you're impresses by the Bicsi Corporate Member logo why don't you simply buy yourself one for just £160 a year.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks

Business continuity

2008-01-30T14:04:00.001Z

What used to be called "Disaster recovery" is now called "Business continuity". I guess that's to put a more positive slant on it. In its defence, it does now encompass much more. The government are very keen to encourage it because a good business continuity plan will help recover from any terrorist attack or disaster.

According to BSI, BS25999 is the world’s first internationally recognized standard for Business Continuity Management (BCM). It includes requirements covering the whole BCM life cycle, based on BCM best practices.The standard has garnered much attention from businesses around the world. Thousands of companies in the United Kingdom are implementing BS25999 and It has become the most downloaded standard from the BSI website.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks plc

What's the cost of a risk assessment?

2008-01-29T10:27:00.000Z

The mention of a risk assessment can make some project managers groan but it shouldn't be that way. If done properly, a risk assessment preserves health and safety and is not a bureaucratic burden. At Lynx Networks we follow the HSE's "Five Steps to Risk Assessment".

1. Identify the hazards

2. Decide who might be harmed and how.

3. Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions.

4. Record our findings and implement them.

5. Review the risk assessment and update if necessary.

To make it easier to manage our health and safety we have determined safe systems of working for each of the data cabling tasks that our installers carry out. We train our workforce and adopt the safe practices across the range of installations we carry out.

Of course, the answer to the question, "What's the cost of a risk assessment", is that it could cost you a much more, in accidents and damages, not to do it properly. If you want more information, please contact me.

"Five Steps to Risk Assessment" and example risk assessments can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/risk. For the HSE's Myth of the Month go to www.hse.gov.uk/myth.

Alan Bullen

Lynx Networks

The Construction Industry Design and Management Regulations (CDM)

2008-01-23T08:02:00.000Z

If you are responsible for placing orders for data cabling projects on construction sites you need to know about the CDM Regulations, even if your contractor is taking care of it for you. The Regulations are primarily concerned with health and safety and they clearly lay out the responsibilities of every party involved including the client, designers, project managers and contractors. If you don't carry out your responsibilities you can end up in court so I recommend you go to www.hse.gov.uk and spend £15 on the 120 book "Managing health and safety in construction" ISBN 978-0-7176-6223-4.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks

Fuel boycott

2008-01-21T08:46:00.000Z

Last week I received a round-robin email encouraging people to boycott the two biggest fuel supply companies, BP and Esso, in an attempt to force prices down. I don't usually entertain this type of email and I wouldn't forward it on. However, it said we should buy from the supermarkets or Shell. (Seems a bit odd to include Shell because I would have put them in the big league.) Anyway, we're encouraging all Lynx Networks drivers, especially the drivers of our fleet of data cabling vans, to only buy from super markets whenever possible. As well as helping the boycott, this will obviously help keep our costs down and enable our IT infrastructure services to be more competitive.

Alan Bullen

Lynx Networks
Experts in IT infrastructure

Preview of our new van livery

2008-01-18T08:26:00.000Z

Within a couple of weeks you will start see our vans with our new livery as shown below. These are the van used by our data cabling division. Keep you eyes open because I'd appreciate your comments. We have fifteen vans although we may not be changing all of the liveries at once. It depends how well the new livery is received.

IP Telephony saves data cabling costs

2008-01-14T08:34:00.000Z

As you may know, at Lynx Networks we provide IP telephony as part of our portfolio of IT infrastructure. A significant benefit of IP telephony is that only one network outlet is required per desk; the phone is connected to the outlet and the user's PC plugs into the phone.

Because voice traffic is time sensitive, the phone handset assigns each voice packet a priority flag. I liken this with putting a blue light on top of a police car to it isn't delayed by ordinary traffic. At the communications cabinet, the phone / PC is patched to a single switch port. The switch and other devices in the network see the priority flag and pass the voice traffic before ordinary data.

Alan Bullen

Lynx Networks

CCNA Boot Camp

2008-01-10T08:21:00.000Z

A friend of mine, Paul Browning, runs a Cisco CCNA Boot Camp. It's great for anyone who wants to quickly get on the Cisco qualifications ladder. See his website www.networksinc.co.uk for more info and some excellent free stuff to get you on your way.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks plc

Deflect the negativity

2008-01-03T11:11:00.000Z

I've been listening to a webinar and some CD's by Chris Cardell and they've been a great help me with my marketing for Lynx Networks.

If you're interested, I recommend that you register for a new webinar called '2008 - Your Best Year Ever' that he's giving on 9th Jan. You won't regret it.

See http://www.cardellmedia.co.uk/teleseminarnewyear.html

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks plc

All the best for 2008

2008-01-02T08:41:00.000Z

It's 2nd January and Lynx Networks is back at work. We're looking forward to a good 2008. The first big event will be the launch of the new website with loads of useful information and downloads to help you get the best from your IT network and infrastructure.

I hope 2008 is good year for you, at work and at home.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks

My predictions for 2008 in the world of IT infrastructure

2007-12-29T14:56:00.000Z

Prediction 1: Cable prices are going to continue to fluctuate but mostly upwards as the manufacturers take advantage of copper prices and adverse exchange rates to up their prices. However, if copper prices go down and the dollar gets weaker they won't be quick to reduce the price of cable.

Prediction 2: Cat6A (augmented) won't be ratified so customers with a tight budget will continue to choose Cat5e cabling.

Prediction 3: It will be a tough year for the cabling industry but there won't be a recession.

Prediction 4: Users will embrace the benefits of 802.11N wireless networks and will start to have area of the offices covered by this remarkable technology. However, it will continue to be expensive throughout 2008 so uptake will be limited.

Happy new year.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks plc

Millions of ££££ wasted on cabling systems . . .

2007-12-21T17:43:00.000Z

How are millions of pounds wasted by IT managers and facilities managers? They throw the limited budget away on cabling with a bandwidth they can't use. Having Cat6 cabling in place of Cat5e cabling is like turning a 2-lane motorway into a five-lane motorway but keeping 3 lanes coned off. No adopted networking standard uses the extra frequency range (those 3 extra lanes) that Cat6 gives you.

There's no doubt that, if installed properly, Cat6 is a superior cabling system and, if money is no object, then you should choose it. Wait another year or two and Cat6a will be ratified and you can have a cabling system that supports 10G Ethernet, or buy a Cat6a draft system today. But only do that if you foresee that one day the cabling will need to support 10G.

This valuable snippet of information ties in with Lynx Networks policy of not selling anything we don't believe a customer needs.

Alan Bullen

Christmas holiday

2007-12-20T14:46:00.000Z

We'll only have a skeleton staff working at Lynx Networks over the Christmas break. That's Mon 23rd to 1st Jan inclusive. Helpdesk will be covered but not much more. Our customers either shutdown for the holiday period or they want a quiet life.

Our installation teams are looking forward to a well-earned rest,

Have a very merry Christmas.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks plc

Does the Lynx Networks barometer predict a recession for 2008?

2007-12-17T09:02:00.000Z

At Lynx Networks we usually feel the icy wind of business uncertainty a few months before the deep freeze of a recession sets in. Businesses lose confidence and tend to make do with their current IT infrastructure. It’s been true for the nineteen years that I’ve been managing Lynx Networks that the day that Radio 4 and the newspapers start speculating about a recession the hatches are battened down against the possibility of the storms ahead. However, our business is currently basking in a tropical heat wave: everyone appears to be ignoring the persistent talk of a downturn next year due the credit crunch.

Therefore, I predict a “steady as she goes” business climate for 2008. Then from 2009 onwards we should all be able to benefit from the ripple-down effects of the build-up for the 2012 Olympics.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks plc

Improving our Search Engine Optimisation

2007-12-14T09:59:00.000Z

I attended an excellent 2-hour seminar this week on Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). I get at least a call a week from someone trying to sell me SEO but I've very suspicious of them. Here are the key points that I picked up from the seminar. These are some of the things that makes your site attractive to Google (and its users) and get you nearer the top of their lists:

1. Get links from other reputable sites but don't have reciprocal links or Google will simply cancel them out.
2. Change your pages regularly
3. Add pages regularly
4. Make your keywords more attractive to Google by underline, bold, H1, H2 etc. tags.
5. Don't remove pages that Google has indexed. It's doesn't like being made to look out of data and will mark you down for this.
6. Put a robots.txt file in your root directory to let Google know what pages not to crawl. Do a search to find out more about this.

I've already implemented changes to our website to help our search engine rankings and I thank ThinkSmart Marketing and NetCallidus for the excellent seminar.

If you have any questions arising from this blog, please contact me unless, of course, you're trying to sell me some SEO!

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks
Proven experts in IT Infrastructure

A new-look Lynx Networks

2007-12-10T08:41:00.000Z

Lynx Networks has a new look, including a new logo. The old one was looking dated and, with it's tints fading from dark to light, it was difficult to reproduce accurately across the various forms. We've started to replace the old logo so you'll see it filtering through. My blog now shows the new logo. I'd be interested in your opinion.

Alan Bullen

Lynx Networks

Superfast cabling installation with pre-build assemblies

2007-11-29T10:33:00.000Z

For data cabling that has to be installed over a very short period, an excellent solution is to use pre-build cable assemblies.

HellermannTytons RapidNet, a pre-tested, pre-terminated complete network cabling system, is an example of this.

The solution only works for sites where cables are to be installed in raised-floor voids of with overhead ladder raceways, and costs may be higher. However, it can be very economical solution when time it tight and quality must be guaranteed.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks

Bicsi UK Pub Club

2007-11-28T13:20:00.000Z

BICSI is a professional association supporting the IT infrastructure industry with information, education and knowledge assessment for individuals and companies. Worldwide, BICSI serves more than 24,000 professionals, including designers, installers and technicians.

If you want to meet many key players from the UK data cabling and IT infrastructure industry we have a "Pub Club" on Monday 17th December at the Docklands Museum. It starts around 4pm and we have presentations and question & answer sessions prior to sharing a beer or two afterwards.

If you're interested, please contact me on +44 1908 633810 or email alan.bullen@lynxnetworks.co.uk.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks

Firestopping - Easiest just to leave it!

2007-11-27T16:36:00.001Z

New buildings are designed and built to prevent fires spreading. However, it's not uncommon for cowboy data cablers to neglect firestopping because, once the premises have been handed over to the client, no one inspects the workmanship.

Clients seeking quotations for data cabling must always get the installers guarantee that all firestopping will be reinstated to meet the fire regulations, and ask the installer to indicate the firestopping.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks plc

WARNING - Watch out for aluminium "Cat5e" or "Cat6" cable

2007-11-15T17:57:00.000Z

If you're offered some cheap (so called) Cat5e or Cat6 data cable be warned that it could have aluminium as opposed to copper conductors. Even though it may say Cat5e or Cat6 on the jacket, it won't be. It's not possible to produce a Cat5 or Cat6 compliant cable without copper.

The conductors will probably be coated with copper to try and fool you.

Always buy a well known brand of cable from a reputable supplier.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks for data cabling and IT infrastructure

Cabling to last a lifetime

2007-11-05T10:11:00.000Z

Lifetime Cost Effectiveness
A cabling system represents the element of an voice / data network which has the longest life span and therefore requires to be designed and installed with upwards of 10 years useable life. To ensure consistent performance throughout the life of the system, the following should be considered:
• Warranty and performance guarantees from component manufacturer
• Quality components proven to meet appropriate Standards
• Manufacturers & suppliers support
• The installers have relevant qualifications and training and their installation methods fully comply with BS and EN Standards if the installation is in the UK.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks plc
Data Cabling Division

Layer 3 Ethernet Switches

2007-11-02T08:44:00.000Z

When refreshing your network architecture consider the applications platform you are creating. Costs may be as little as £50 for a 24-port, Layer 2 switch but this won't necessarily support applications such as IP Telephony and video conferencing. You need quality of Service (QoS) features on the switch for this, and you won't find that on a Layer 2 switch. Essentially, a layer 3 switch can make decisions based on the IP address. Layer 2 switches only look at MAC addresses.

Not all Layer 3 switches have QoS features so check before you buy.

Prices for 24-port Cisco, HP and 3Com Ethernet switches with QoS features cost around £500. But, if you have a network with hundreds of users you'll need a more powerful switch than this at the core.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks
UK

Read this if it's the only thing you read today; it's brilliant.

2007-10-30T09:32:00.000Z

"There is hardly anything in the world that someone cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price alone are that person’s lawful prey. It is unwise to pay too much, but it is also unwise to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money, that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything because the thing you bought is incapable of doing the thing you bought it to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot .... it can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder it is well to add something for the risk you run. And if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better."

John Ruskin 1819-1900

The above applies as much today as it ever did. It's particularly applicable when considering the installation of data cabling.

Slash your phone bills and wow your customers

2007-10-26T08:54:00.000+01:00

If you're in the Milton Keynes, UK area there's a BizTech event next week titled "Slash your phone bills and wow your customers"
Thursday 1st November 6.00 to 8.00pm at Chamber offices, 599 Avebury Blvd.
Chamber members free of charge, others £20 per head.
We have three presentations:
Is your network ready for VoIP? by Lynx Networks
Discover whether the network hardware you're buying now will
be able to support future deployment of VoIP.
What are the benefits of VoIP? By Entropie Voice and Data
Find out how to introduce new applications and make cost savings
through more effective management of the company's network.
Future of VoIP? By Briteyellow
Learn how to use mobile or wireless VoIP on any PC, mobile
phone, or high speed wireless Internet network worldwide
To book, call Lesley in the Chamber Events Department: 01908 259004
or this link should work:
http://www.mk-chamber.co.uk/events/details.asp?cat=4&x=203
It would be great to see you there.
Alan Bullen
MD
Lynx Networks plc

Making sure your installer does it right

2007-10-24T17:45:00.000+01:00

INSTALLATION TECHNIQUES
Here's how to make sure you don't settle for sub-standard workmanship.

Suitably qualified installers, complying with relevant standards should be selected to undertake the data cabling work. Qualifications would include evidence of manufacturer’s training or training undertaken at a specialised training establishment and supported by recognised certification.

o Adherence to standards, including, where applicable:
o BS 6701
o BS EN 7671 (IEE) Wiring Regulations - 16th Edition
o BS EN 50174 series of standards
o BS EN 50310
o BS EN 50346

o A good installer will not:
o Exceed the minimum bend radii for cables
o Exceed the maximum pulling force for cables
o Crush cable (e.g. by over tightening cable ties)
o Strip too much cable sheath at termination points.
o Install cables where they could be damaged.
o Untwist too much of each cable pair.
o Use incorrect tools or fixing techniques

o A good installer will:
o Work safely
o Adhere to the necessary standards
o Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks plc

Cabling standards

2007-10-19T18:18:00.000+01:00

OK, I know standards can be dull but adherence to them is crucial if your data cabling is going to support your applications.

Your cabling system should comply with British Standards. I recommend:
• BS EN 50173 series of standards for performance and components
• BS EN 50174 series of standards for design, installation, operation and maintenance
• BS 6701 for installation, operation and maintenance
• BS EN 50310 – grounding and bonding
• BS EN 50346 - testing

Alternative standards for the design and performance of cabling systems are acceptable where a specific need is identified. However care should be exercised since, whilst these standards are harmonised to a greater extent with equivalent British standards, compliance with these standards is dependent upon compliance to cross-referenced standards and this may not always be possible. Examples are:
• ISO/IEC 11801 (International)
• ANSI/TIA/EIA 568-B series of standards (USA)

Particular manufacturers may state compliance to one or more of these standards.

The standards specify a range of Classes or Categories of balanced cabling systems. Amongst these are:
• Class D (comparable with TIA Category 5e) - able to support Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-T).
• Class E (comparable with TIA Category 6) - able to support Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-T), and able to support 10Gigabit Ethernet (10GBASE-T) to a distance of at least 37m and up to 100m dependent upon the cabling type and the installation.
• Class EA (comparable with TIA Category 6A) and able to support 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GBASE-T)
• Class F and able to support 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GBASE-T).
• Class FA and able to support 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GBASE-T).

Choose the specification that meets the network bandwidth needs for the foreseeable future and fits within the budget. Bear in mind that higher Class / Category cabling usually requires larger containment and pathways as the cables are a larger diameter.

The choice of optical fibre to use will depend on the applications to be supported and the distances over which they are to be transmitted. Guidance is given in the BS EN 50173-1 standard. This refers to optical fibre cabling based upon five main types - OM1, OM2 & OM3 (multimode) and OS1 & OM2 (singlemode) - and the channels over which the applications can be supported as:
• Class OF-300 supporting various applications to ≥ 300m over multimode optical fibre.
• Class OF-500 supporting various applications to ≥ 500m over multimode optical fibre.
• Class OF-2000 supporting various applications to ≥ 2km over multimode optical fibre.
• Class OF-5000 supporting various applications to ≥ 5km over single mode optical fibre.
• Class OF-10000 supporting various applications to ≥ 10km over single mode optical fibre.

I hope this helps.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks plc

Testing of Data Cabling

2007-10-18T08:43:00.000+01:00

Here’s some excellent info to help you negotiate a good deal from your cabling installer and to make sure you get value for money.

There are three forms of testing data cabling:
Certification – Tests all parameters required by ratified standards and provides a certificate for each link or channel.
Qualification – Only tests the cabling to work for particular applications or network standards.
Verification – Tests only the most essential parameters.

Lynx Networks recommends certification testing for every link or channel. This should prove cost effective in the long term. It is condition of most manufacturers’ warranties that the cabling system is 100% certified.

For every installation where either certification or qualification testing is undertaken, complete individual test reports (or certificates where appropriate) configured in accordance with the agreed standard, should be included with the installation documentation. The format and material on which these reports are to be presented should form part of the contract. (See the Labelling, Records and Documentation section above).

Certification Testing of Data Cabling
Certification is carried out with a standards-compliant tester, such as a Fluke DTX, with the required accuracy for the Class or Category of cabling installed. You specify whether the cabling system is to be certified to BS EN50173 series of standards, ANSI/TIA/EIA 568-B series of standards or ISO/IEC 11801, although the choice of cabling system manufacturer may predetermine this.
By definition, certification testing includes qualification testing.

Qualification Testing of Data Cabling
For installations where a manufacturer warranty is not offered, qualification is a less stringent alternative to certification but it is important to note that qualification testing:
Uses less accurate test equipment to compare installed cabling performance with the requirements of specific applications.
Can only provide results for existing application standards.
Cannot provide any form of ‘future proofing’ as it deals only with existing applications.
Is limited to the ‘Channel’ test model, i.e. includes the equipment, patch and work area type cords.

Verification Testing of Data Cabling
This will eliminate common installation errors but will not guarantee that the cabling system will support the network or bandwidth requirements.
Minimum test and inspection for copper cabling
A visual inspection of the terminations
Wire-mapping test to confirm there are no open circuits, short circuits or crossed wires, including the cable screen if present. This will also confirm that telecommunication outlets and patch panels are identified and labelled correctly.
Plus, optionally:
Cable length
Test to ensure there are no split pairs.
For more information like this, go the www.lynxdatacabling.co.uk and download the free guide "Specifying an IT Cabling System".

Alan Bullen, Oct 2007.

TIA-B - The new forum for IT Infrastructure technical issues

2007-10-16T07:52:00.000+01:00

Since the closure of the Communications and IT Association (CITA) the data cabling industry has not had a forum for technical issues. However, with the birth of TIA-B, this is changing. Mike Gilmore, Technical Director of the FIA, is the friving force behind TIA-B and is hosting the associated web pages on the FIA website. The ECA are co-hosting TIA-B and another major industry association will soon be annouced as the thrid sponsor. Watch this space.

Alan Bullen
Lynx Networks