More Bang for the Buck
Some vendors, including CommScope and General Cable, offer UTP products that are bundled (also referred to as hybrids or speed-pulls). These combination cables offer multiple individual four-pair UTP cables (and sometimes fiber optic and coaxial cable as well) under a single outer jacket. This construction helps maximize almost-full pathways, ease labor costs and provide multimedia wiring between wiring closets and end users in a single pull. This style of cable benefits small offices and new residences, and manufacturers are developing up-to-the-minute "residential" product lines to meet demands.
One potential drawback to bundled UTP is the inability to remove a single bad cable that's bonded together under the outer jacket. Bundled UTP products tend to be surprisingly competitive when priced against the equivalent number of individual wiring runs and are offered in both plenum- and nonplenum-rated jacket types. The number of individual Cat 5E cables available under a single jacket varies among manufacturers, but typical counts include two, four and six wires.
When it comes to installing fiber with UTP, there are many philosophies. One of the most common is to do it as a future-proofing tool. Also, a growing number of security and fire systems run on fiber.
The Big Picture
UTP alone doesn't do much for an enterprise--that is, not until it's properly terminated and tested. The core pool of manufacturers providing Cat 5E termination components includes more than a dozen vendors, most of which have been in the game from the inception of the modern data-component market. Entrenched mainstays, such as Hubbell Premise Wiring, Ortronics and the Siemon Co., have worked closely with wiring manufacturers to improve the quality of the physical layer environment in contemporary networks. And while a herd mentality exists among vendors, a careful look at the various jack and patch-panel components reveals unique and innovative approaches to wiring solutions.
Component and UTP manufacturers often form affiliations to provide end-to-end solutions for those in the market for new UTP. By carefully matching terminating components to specific UTP selections, the industry provides a wealth of top-notch offerings from teams like CommScope (UTP)/ Siemon (components) and Draka USA (UTP)/Molex (components).
With warranties ranging from decades to the lifetime of your facility (when installed by qualified technicians), purchasing a UTP wiring system comprising brand-name wire and components becomes that much more appealing.
The guidance that applies to selecting UTP also applies to jacks and patch panels: Avoid off-brand pieces whose performance cannot be verified. Even if you're looking for products only for a 10-Mbps Ethernet network now, sooner or later Fast Ethernet (or better) will likely find its way onto some of your servers. No-brand UTP installed by an unskilled technician and then connected to termination components of unknown origin will often leave you wondering why your higher-speed connections are flaky.
One often grossly overlooked piece of the UTP puzzle is the patch cable. Unfortunately, cutting-edge Cat 5E UTP and components are often installed and tested only to be connected to network components with generic (or worse yet, homemade) patch cables. The installed UTP system requires patch cables of equal or better quality than the UTP itself to ensure network reliability.
Patch-cable lengths have operational limits as outlined in TIA 568. Adhere to these limits. When it comes time to diagnose a suspect UTP run, the best testing will involve the actual patch cables used in the network, as well as installed UTP from jack to patch panel.
The Long Haul
The UTP installed in your enterprise today stands a good chance of being around many years from now. Buy the best UTP you can afford. Make sure the installers are manufacturer-trained for both the specific UTP and the components being used. And take great care to ensure that each wiring run is tested and certified with a calibrated tester capable of verifying Cat 5E UTP performance.
Don't skimp on your network's foundation. Murphy's Law loves networks, and it will manifest on your most critical links if your UTP doesn't make the grade.
Lee Badman is an IT analyst and project manager at Syracuse University. Prior to his current position, Lee had a distinguished career with the U.S. Air Force both maintaining and teaching maintenance of a variety of systems. Send your comments on this article to him at lhbadman@syr.edu.
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