Articles and whitepapers

Product Article: The Latest Belden Cables for Structured Wiring (29/8/2008)

By Berry Medendorp, Belden Wire and Cable Systems

Today, we create networks in every type of building. The complexity of these networks will depend on the number of attached appliances or computers and their connectivity requirements, but the basic objective is always the same: to allow individual computers to share data, perform business-related transactions or access the information superhighway. None of this can be done without structured cabling systems, i.e. a network in which all components are engineered and manufactured to provide optimal and adaptable performance levels according to industry-accepted standards.

Each installation has its own set of needs and expectations, and Belden offers a comprehensive range of cables to cover all applications, from datacomms to light and energy management systems, and from security systems to distributed audio and high-definition video. It is impossible to cover them all in this article, so I will provide an overview of our latest and soon-to-be-introduced products that are specifically designed for structured wiring.

10GX IDC System

Communication hardware is getting smaller and our new 10GX IDC cross-connect system mirrors that trend. It is designed to not only save on building space but also deliver on performance. We have developed this new 10GBase-T system as an alternative to modular patch panels, and to help save on construction costs.

The 10GX IDC system complements the 10GX Gigabit Ethernet infrastructure, meets TIA/EIA 568B.2 standard, and is engineered to handle 10GBase-T data networking and multimedia applications with headroom to spare. Indeed this new high-performance, space-efficient system makes it possible to create large cross-connect systems which are space-efficient, easy to install and easy to maintain.

The Belden 10GX IDC System for 10GBase-T applications.

Wireless Solution

Wireless is a growing segment of networking technology, and the new Belden Wireless Solution uses a unique Channel Blanket topology to allow each radio channel to be used everywhere, at every access point (AP), thereby creating blankets of continuous wireless coverage with no roaming latency or co-channel interference problems. Its architecture is fundamentally different from standard WLANs, which use cell-based technologies that require complex RF Cell Planning in an attempt to avoid co-channel interference.

Equally important, high throughput is achieved even when cell traffic is high. Full compliance with IEEE 802.11a/b/g protocol and security standards is maintained, ensuring seamless, zero AP-to-AP hand off mobility for latency-sensitive applications such as voice and video.

The Belden Wireless Solution has only two basic components: the switch and the access points. The switch is available in both 8-port and 24-port versions, and can be used alone or with multiple switches. The access points are powered by standard Power over Ethernet (IEEE 802.3af PoE) and are designed to leave all network traffic decisions to the switch. These high-bandwidth devices contain multiple 802.11 a/b/g radios and use standard Wi-Fi protocols (IEEE 802.11). They are also completely client-agnostic, and support any off-the-shelf client network interface card (NIC).

The Belden Wireless Solution with 8- and 24-port switch and wireless access point powered by standard Power over Ethernet.

The Wireless Solution is exceptionally easy to deploy, configure, validate and maintain, providing plug-and-play flexibility to add or remove APs with no effect on the existing set-up.

Optical Fibre Components

Belden has been involved in the development of optical fibre components since 1972, and is now an international supplier of high-quality, cost-effective optical fibre cabling systems. Today, we offer users a complete, high-performance, end-to-end cabling system that supports both centralized and fibre-to-the desk (FTTD) topologies, as well as in-building or campus backbone cabling configurations.

Fibre optics.

The Belden IBDN Solution is, however, much more than an assemblage of top-performing products. It represents a whole new approach to the methodology of fibre optic cabling, offering both superior performance and a more cost effective, speedier and less complex installation process compared to more traditional fibre optic cabling systems. Our fibre optic line includes indoor and outdoor cable products in tight buffered and loose tube constructions, and we offer enhanced single-mode and grade 2-6 multimode cables (grade 1 fibres are available upon request).

New products

Some of our new and innovative products include Low Smoke, Halogen-free (LSOH) Cat5e and Cat6 patch cords - both Cat5e stranded and Cat6 stranded and solid core; and a 50-port telepanel with a functional and easy-to-use design. These telepanels have fixed cable guides prepared for use with Velcro tape or strips, 2-pair connectivity per port, jacks mounted as RJ45 enabling the use of general patch cables, and are available in white and black with numbering from 1 to 50.

Conclusion

A properly-designed and installed structured cabling system provides a cabling infrastructure that delivers predictable performance as well as the flexibility to accommodate growth and change over an extended period of time. Both our copper and fibre structured cabling products are designed to deliver this, ensuring high-quality and optimum network performance.

Berry Medendorp is the Manager of Marketing Communications EMEA, Belden Wire and Cable Systems. Belden offers an extensive range of high-quality, high-performance products for use in industrial, institutional, commercial, educational and residential buildings.

www.belden-emea.com