Product category:
Utilities - Gas, Electric, Water, Telephone
News Release from: NORDX/CDT | Subject: University of Birmingham
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 30 April 2004
University Cabling Infrastructure
Upgrade Report
The University of Birmingham is currently undergoing a major upgrade of both the cabling infrastructure and active network equipment of the University High Speed Campus Network (HSCN).
Now 18 months into the project, NORDX/CDT discusses with Brian Bracher who, as part of the Information Services Network Group, is responsible for the structured cabling on the University campus What were the main criteria that the University of Birmingham used in order to select the structured cabling system with the network upgrade? A standards compliant cabling solution, a tried and tested quality product and good value for our money
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 15 Aug 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Homeowners pave way for legislative change
Aardvark Concrete note that the number of householders opting to re-do their driveway has increased significantly following the launch of the government's Water Strategy 2008.
Precast hollowcore flooring on the up
Robin Horton from Coltman Precast Concrete, outlines some of the benefits of precast concrete flooring.
How important was the element of being able to future proof your network by installing a high performance Category 6 cabling system? Cabling a campus the size of the University of Birmingham has been compared to cabling a small town.
The financial investment and manpower involved in such a task is colossal.
This required careful and thorough consideration in choosing the correct cabling solution and cable manufacturer.
Further reading
Warning to building trade about hidden killers
Reddish Vale warn that builders need to be aware that failure to carry out checks and surveys for asbestos in property refurbishments is illegal.
Brownfield building boom goes unnoticed
Survey commissioned by GroundSure suggest that the general public remains uneducated about the scale of residential property development taking place on Brownfield land in the UK.
Does anyone know where we are going?
Hydro SUDS 'n' Floods Conference reviews policy and practice for UK flood risk strategy future.
With such a large and intensive program to undertake we had to get it right first time and not have to revisit and start again in five years time.
With the NORDX/CDT IBDN 2424 Category 6 system I am confident the correct system has been chosen that will support both existing and emerging applications for the foreseeable future.
What were the main reasons that a GigaBIX Cross-Connect System was chosen instead of a "traditional" RJ45 system? The added advantage of choosing NORDX/CDT was the option of installing both a cross-connect and a RJ45 system which both sit inside the Category 6 parameters.
Both systems have their merits but in choosing the cross-connect system it has revolutionised the ethos and approach to structured cabling on the campus.
Building Managers who on one hand welcomed the benefits the HSCN Upgrade Program would bring were not so forthcoming in giving up rooms or floor space for Telecom Rooms.
Floor space is at an absolute premium and every metre must be utilised and accounted for.
An RJ45 system would in most cases have been unacceptable to Building Managers due to what they perceived to be the unnecessarily large amount of floor space required.
In order for me to 'sell' the upgrade program to the Buildings Managers, and acquire the appropriate numbers of Telecom Rooms as per current cabling standards recommendations, the cross-connect system was the ideal choice.
The GigaBIX Cross-Connect System demonstrated that a high specification cabling system does not necessarily require large floor space or elaborate enclosures but can utilise the smallest and sometimes insignificant spaces or rooms.
What have been the main advantages of installing this system? There are many advantages of using the cross-connect system.
I will mention the main ones from a very long list.
Space saving for Telecom Rooms will reflect in cost savings.
Information Services has to pay rates for every metre of floor space used as a Telecom Room.
By reducing the overall floor space for Telecom Rooms per building, considerable savings have already been made.
As already mentioned I am also in a position to specify the required numbers of Telecom Rooms as per current cabling standards recommendations.
In doing so I can also afford further savings by reducing the overall average length of the horizontal cable run due to the appropriate numbers of Telecom Rooms and by positioning the Telecom Rooms in a central location to the floor or building level.
Further savings can be made by utilising a wall board, negating the need for expensive cabinet enclosures, and also using the inexpensive method of using jumper wire for cross-connect patching without the need for expensive patch leads.
For me personally, one of the major cost saving advantages of the cross-connect system is the ability to have passive Telecom Rooms using the cross-connect system.
With careful planning by locating Telecom Rooms per floor or level directly above each other, cross-connect patching between floors is achievable.
For example this would enable only one of possible two Telecom Rooms requiring active equipment.
Here at Birmingham we are starting to incorporate this feature into the cabling design as part of the HSCN upgrade program.
Not only are there costs savings in reducing the quantities of active chassis-based equipment but also there is not a requirement for an air-conditioning unit in the passive Telecom Room locations.
I can demonstrate to my Manager that choosing a NORDX/CDT cross-connect system can bring us huge costs savings without compromising the demands of the network services for both staff and students.
Any disadvantages? On reflection I can honestly say I cannot think of one.
I just wish I had used the system in buildings cabled a few years ago with a Category 5e RJ45 system before being made aware of NORDX/CDT's cross-connect offering.
But the beauty of the cross-connect system is where it is advantageous to do so I can retrofit the Category 5e RJ45 systems with the NORDX/CDT GigaBIX Cross-Connect System so not all is lost! Has installing an IDC cross-connect system within the University helped to improve the control of any moves, additions and changes or benefited you in providing a more effective way of securing the system? Absolutely.
Before the introduction of the cross-connect system the patching database for the campus did not always reflect what was physically patched due to staff members patching or disconnecting patch leads without informing Information Services.
This made matters difficult in trying to keep up-to-date meaningful records.
With the cross-connect system only authorised staff members using an IDC tool can carry out changes on a cross-connect system.
This has increased the amount of control for such changes and moves etc, making it more efficient to manage.
All members of my group responsible for such changes are suitably qualified, having attended the appropriate NORDX/CDT training course.
To date there has not been one instance of an unauthorised connection or disconnection using the cross-connect system since the system was first installed 18 or so months ago.
One other positive point about a cross-connect system is it is so easy to manage.
Previously when large SCS installations using RJ45 connections have taken place, even with all the will in the world and best intentions, the management of the system always ended up in a mess.
Everyone tries to make an effort to keep the patching as neat and tidy as possible and you know that six months later it can become very untidy and out of control.
With the cross-connect system I know it will always be neat and tidy.
The technical support and sales backup NORDX/CDT provides has been first rate.
This is very important for me as a customer that issues with regards to the product or SCS design considerations are dealt with in an efficient and professional manner.
• NORDX/CDT: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Buildingtalk email newsletter
• Buildingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
