The standard local area network in its current (average) form was finally formed many years ago, where its development stopped.
On the one hand, the best is the enemy of the good, on the other hand, stagnation is also not very good. Moreover, upon closer examination, a modern office network that allows you to perform almost all the tasks of a regular office can be built cheaper and faster than it is commonly believed, while its architecture will become simpler and more scalable. Don't believe? And let's try to figure it out. And let's start with what is considered the correct laying of the network.
What is SCS?
Any structured cabling system (SCS) as a final element of the engineering infrastructure is implemented in several stages:
- design;
- actually, the installation of cable infrastructure;
- installation of access points;
- installation of switching points;
- commissioning works.
Design
Any great business, if you want to do it well, begins with preparation. For SCS, such preparation is design. It is at this stage that it is taken into account how many jobs need to be provided, how many ports need to be placed, what capacity in terms of throughput should be laid. At this stage, it is necessary to be guided by standards (ISO/IEC 11801, EN 50173, ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A). In fact, it is at this stage that the boundary capabilities of the network being created are determined.
Cable infrastructure
At this stage, all cable lines are laid that provide data transmission over the local network. Kilometers of symmetrical pair stranded copper cable. Hundreds of kilograms of copper. The need to install cable ducts and trays - without them, the construction of a structured cabling system is impossible.
Access points
To provide jobs with access to the network, access points are laid. Guided by the principle of redundancy (one of the most important in the construction of SCS), such points are laid in an amount exceeding the minimum required number. By analogy with the electrical network: the more outlets, the more flexible you can use the space on the territory of which such a network is located.
Switching points, Poland
Next, the main and, as an option, intermediate switching points are mounted. Racks / telecom cabinets are placed, cables and ports are marked, connections are made inside the consolidation points and in the cross node. A switching log is compiled, which is further updated throughout the life of the cable system.
When all stages of installation are completed, the entire system is tested. Cables are connected to active network equipment, the network is raised. Compliance with the frequency bandwidth declared for this SCS (transfer rate) is checked, the designed access points are called and all other parameters important for the operation of the SCS are checked. All identified deficiencies are eliminated. Only after that, the network is transferred to the customer.
The physical medium for information transfer is ready. What's next?
What "lives" in the SCS?
Previously, data from various systems, closed to their technologies and protocols, was transmitted over the cable infrastructure of the local network. But the technology zoo has long been multiplied by zero. And now, perhaps, only Ethernet remains in the “local area”. Telephony, video from surveillance cameras, fire alarms, security systems, utility meter data, access control systems and "smart intercom", after all - all this now goes over Ethernet.
"Smart" intercom, access control system and remote control device
Optimizing infrastructure
And the question arises: with the continuous development of technology, do we still need all the parts of a traditional SCS?
Switching hardware and software
It's time to admit the obvious, in general, thing: hardware switching at the level of crosses and patch cords has become obsolete. Everything has long been done by VLAN ports, and admins sorting through wires in cabinets with any change in the network structure is an atavism. It's time to take the next step and just give up crosses and patch cords.
And it seems to be a trifle, but if you think about it, there will be more benefits from this step than from switching to the cable of the next category. Judge for yourself:
- The quality of the physical signal transmission medium will increase.
- Reliability will increase, because we remove two of the three mechanical contacts from the system (!).
- As a result, the signal transmission range will increase. Not essential, but still.
- There will suddenly be free space in the cabinets. And by the way, there will be much more order. And that's saving money.
- The cost of the equipment being removed is not high, but if you take into account the scale of the optimization, a good amount of savings can also be accumulated.
- If there is no crossover switching, you can crimp the client lines immediately under the RJ-45.
What happens? We have simplified the network, made it cheaper, and moreover, it has become less buggy and more manageable. Solid pluses!
And maybe, then, something else to throw away? 🙂
Optical fiber instead of copper core
And why do we need kilometers of twisted pair, when the entire amount of information that goes through a thick bundle of copper wires can be easily transmitted over an optical fiber? Let's put an 8-port switch with an optical uplink and, for example, PoE support in the office. From the cabinet to the office - one fiber optic core. From the switch to the clients - copper wiring. At the same time, IP phones or surveillance cameras can be provided immediately with power.
At the same time, not only the mass of copper cable in beautiful lattice trays is removed, but also the funds that are needed for laying all this, traditional for SCS, splendor are saved.
True, such a scheme somewhat contradicts the idea of \uXNUMXb\uXNUMXbthe “correct” placement of equipment in one place, and savings on cable and multiport switches with copper ports will go to the purchase of small switches with PoE and optics.
On the client side
Client-side cabling dates back to a time when wireless technology looked more like a toy than a real working tool. Modern "wireless" will easily give speeds no less than cable provides now, but will allow you to untie the computer from a fixed connection. Yes, the air is not rubber, and it will not work to fill it with channels endlessly, but, firstly, the distance from the client to the access point can be quite small (office needs allow this), and secondly, there are already new types of technologies that use, for example, optical radiation (for example, the so-called Li-Fi).
With range requirements within 5-10 meters, which is enough to connect 2-5 users, the access point can fully support a gigabit channel, cost quite inexpensively and be absolutely reliable. This will save the end user from wires.
Optical Switch S and a gigabit wireless router connected by an optical patch cord
In the near future, devices operating in the millimeter range (802.11ad / ay) will provide such an opportunity, but for now, albeit with lower, but still redundant for office workers, speeds, this can really be done based on the 802.11ac standard.
True, in this case, the approach to connecting devices like IP phones or video cameras changes. Firstly, they will have to provide a separate power supply through the PSU. Secondly, these devices must support Wi-Fi. However, no one forbids leaving a certain number of copper ports in the access point for the first time. At least for backward compatibility or unforeseen needs.
For example, a wireless router , 802.11a/b/g/n, 802.11ac Wave 2, 4xGE RJ45, 1xSFP
The next step is logical, right?
We will not stop there. Let's connect the access points with a fiber optic cable with a bandwidth of, say, 10 gigabits. And let's forget about traditional SCS, like a bad dream.
The circuit becomes simple and elegant.
Instead of piles of cabinets and trays clogged with copper cable, we put a small cabinet in which a switch with optical "tens" for every 4-8 users "lives", and we pull the optical fiber to access points. If necessary, for old equipment, some additional “copper” ports can also be placed here - they will not interfere with the main infrastructure in any way.
Source: habr.com