CompTIA exam study guide presentations by instructor Brian Ferrill, PACE-IT (Progressive, Accelerated Certifications for Employment in Information Technology) "Funded by the Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Grant #TC-23745-12-60-A-53" Learn more about the PACE-IT Online program: www.edcc.edu/pace-it

1. Cable
management.

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Instructor, PACE-IT Program – Edmonds Community College
Areas of Expertise Industry Certification
 PC Hardware
 Network Administration
 IT Project Management
 Network Design
 User Training
 IT Troubleshooting
Qualifications Summary
Education
 M.B.A., IT Management, Western Governor’s University
 B.S., IT Security, Western Governor’s University
Entrepreneur, executive leader, and proven manger
with 10+ years of experience turning complex issues
into efficient and effective solutions.
Strengths include developing and mentoring diverse
workforces, improving processes, analyzing
business needs and creating the solutions
required— with a focus on technology.

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– Cable distribution.
– Cable management components.
PACE-IT.

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Cable management.

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– Main distribution frame (MDF).
» The location where the demarc, demarc extension, main
switch/router, and patch panel are placed.
» The MDF is where outside traffic enters a location and then is
distributed to the internal network.
– Intermediate distribution frame (IDF).
» A location’s solution when a single MDF is not sufficient.
» It is usually in a multistory building.
» The IDFs are connected to the MDF by vertical cross-connect
(VCC) cables.
» It is common for an MDF to contain separate IDF panels for
each floor of a building.
– VCC (vertical cross-connect).
» The main patch panel for a location. It usually resides in the
same location as (or very close to) the demarc and main
switch/router.
Cable management.

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– Patch panel.
» Used to terminate network cable runs, usually within a building
(from the wall jacks to a central location).
• The network runs are called horizontal cabling.
» Used to organize and administer the physical aspects of the
network cables.
» Network runs are punched down to the back of the patch panel
(normally a 66 or 110 block) with an associated port on the
front of the patch panel.
» Patch cables are used to connect the patch panel ports to
networking gear.
» Workstations connect to a patch panel using horizontal cabling;
this location is called the horizontal cross-connect (HCC) and is
usually located in the IDF. Switches may or may not be
present.
• If a workstation needs to be relocated to a different switch, all
that needs to be done is to make a change in the location of
the patch cable.
Cable management.

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Cable management.

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Labeling is an important
part of cable management.
It can cause stress when
working with networks, but
it doesn’t have to.
The key to proper labeling is to create a naming convention (a
systematic and consistent method) that makes sense for the
situation. Proper labeling will ease the management of the
physical aspects of the network, especially when dealing with
cables.
Labels should be placed on everything that deals with the
network—beginning from the wall jacks all the way through the
patch panels, switches, and routers. The naming convention
should be documented and kept with the network diagrams.
Cable management.

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– Naming convention example.
» Office 219 has network outlets on all four walls.
• Jacks could be labeled 219N (North), 219W (West), etc.
» The horizontal cabling from 219 feeds into a patch panel in an
IDF located on the second floor that contains two 48-port
switches that tie in all of the HCCs.
• The cables coming from 219 to the patch panel could be
labeled 219W, 219S, etc.
• The switches could be labeled SW2A and SW2B
» The patch cables for office 219 connect to SW2B’s ports 20-24.
• The patch cables could be labeled 219N-SW2B-21 or 219E-
SW2B-22, etc.
» The key is to be consistent and to document everything.
– Cable trays.
» Masses of cables can block airflow and act as an insulator that
allows for excessive heat to build up.
» Cable trays are used to organize cabling and to keep it away
from areas where cabling may cause heat buildup.
Cable management.

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Cable management.
The MDF is where outside network traffic enters a location and gets
distributed to the internal network. In multistory buildings, it is common for
there to be IDFs. Horizontal cables connect workstations to patch panels in
the IDF. VCC cables connect the IDF to the MDF. Patch panels are where
network cabling runs are terminated.
Topic
Cable distribution.
Summary
Labeling is an important part of any cable management system that gets
developed. A key part of labeling is to devise a naming convention that
makes sense for the situation and to be consistent in utilizing it. Everything
dealing with the network should be labeled and documented. Cable trays
are used to manage cables and to keep them from creating a heat problem.
Cable management
components.

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THANK YOU!

12. This workforce solution was 100 percent funded by a $3 million grant awarded by the
U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The solution was
created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S.
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or ownership. Funded by the Department of Labor, Employment and Training
Administration, Grant #TC-23745-12-60-A-53.
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