I've made the headline news!

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

Noise on cables

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

Cable testing

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

Bicsi

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

Bicsi UK Pub Club

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

Layer 3 Ethernet Switches

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

Slash your phone bills and wow your customers

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

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

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

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.